018 Eavesdropping

The caller's location seems to be unmasked, blatantly displayed, as if waiting for Willard Winter to find them, like a trap for him and Tobias Perkins to walk into.

Without even thinking about such a prearranged setup, Willard knew who it was.

The route on the map connects NEO, Willow Mansion, and even the old mansion. Willard couldn't tell who this brazen provocation was targeting.

He took a deep breath and said to Tobias Perkins, "Isn't it obvious, Director Perkins? Miss Jenkins, she's back in the country."

Tobias Perkins closed his eyes tightly, his handsome features contorted, and after a long while, let out a sigh.

Roxy Jenkins, she's back.

Willow Mansion is her foothold in the city. She's constantly busy handling NEO's affairs all over the country, often joking that she's a woman in the wind with no place to call home.

Half a year ago, she went abroad to prepare for an international event, cutting off all mainstream domestic connections to focus on studying medicine.

In this respect, she's quite similar to Olivia Taylor. Once immersed in an experiment, they'll work tirelessly until they succeed.

Tobias Perkins thought of Olivia who he left alone in the lab, and his heart ached a bit. Her helpless appearance leaning against the door made him feel uncomfortable.

He downed another mouthful of alcohol, letting it evaporate throughout his body to alleviate his emotions.

He didn't know what Olivia was doing now, but he urged her to go home early to avoid spending too much time in the laboratory.

Olivia's current situation wasn't optimistic, and the longer she stayed alone in the lab, the more anxious he became.

He had originally planned to meet her at the lab today, just to let Willard inform her of some safety hazards in the lab, but Samantha Collins' arrival destroyed everything.

And the owner of that medal.

"Samantha Collins is quite clever now." Willard adjusted the volume on his computer, pointing to his ear and motioned for Tobias Perkins to put on the Bluetooth headset.

"She recorded her meeting with Miss Jenkins, which makes things easier for us." Willard set the volume just right, and Tobias Perkins could clearly hear the voice on the other side. Samantha's unappealing voice grated in his ears, and his brow furrowed in disgust.

Inside Willow Mansion, Roxy Jenkins wore casual clothes, reclining on her soft sofa, holding a bone china cup freshly brewed coffee made by a niche Italian designer in her hand.

She raised her foot, listening to Samantha's nonstop complaints, and took a sip of coffee.

Roxy added milk and sugar, and she was delighted with the taste of the coffee. She put down the cup, intertwined her fingers, placed them on her knees, tipped her head, and asked, "Miss Collins, what are you unsatisfied with now?"

"The money is double." Roxy held up two fingers. "I'll make arrangements for you to study abroad, and when you return, you'll have both fame and fortune. With such a win-win situation, I can't understand your complaints."

Samantha Collins was momentarily speechless, she lifted her neckline and pointed to her wound, "I make a living off my face, what am I supposed to do now?"

Roxy's expression suddenly turned cold, her unsmiling eyes narrowed, making her look stern.

"That's your problem. When I contacted you, I asked you to make things more dramatic, not to wreak havoc on your career with your face. Ultimately, it's because you're full of yourself, isn't it?"

Roxy sneered, looking at the mobile phone in Samantha's pocket, its screen constantly glowing.

How foolish, to think that she could scheme against herself. And this foolish person thought she could have a place in Tobias Perkins' heart.

Roxy picked up a hand-held mirror next to her, turned to Samantha Collins, and taunted, "Miss Collins, do you know the meaning of being full of yourself?"

Vulgar is the word written all over Samantha Collins' face.

"What did you say?! I'm a famous actress now!" Samantha Collins stood up abruptly, pointing to her nose, furious at Roxy's disdain.

Roxy Jenkins remained unmoved, the corner of her lips curled up, saying: "Oh? Are you? Congratulations, you won't be one for much longer."

"So far, I've given you everything you wanted. I will give you the money you desire, but you, as a person, can go to another part of the world to pursue your acting dream. This place won't welcome your next visit, but out of politeness, I won't send you away. Miss Collins, please make yourself at home."

After speaking, she turned to leave. Reaching the doorway, she looked back: "Oh, by the way, constant screen brightness on mobile phones can cause radiation." She pointed at her temple, "It's not good for this area."

Roxy Jenkins left Samantha Collins alone in the reception room.

In fact, she wasn't dissatisfied with Samantha Collins' performance. On the contrary, escalating the situation and informing the Old Master have been done exceptionally well. If it weren't for Samantha's rash arrival, perhaps the matter could've settled more smoothly.

Unexpectedly, she was so ungrateful to come looking for her and dared to record her.

Today's delivery to Tobias Perkins was her warning to him. She didn't expect this play to be messed up by Samantha Collins.

She wanted to see more conflict, more conflict towards Olivia Taylor.

Roxy Jenkins returned to her bedroom, looking out onto the city's mesmerizing night scene. There's a half-height tea table by the window, with apples she peeled herself on top.

A sharp fruit knife emitted a cold light. It was a product of a Swiss Armory, deemed unfit for soldiers' use due to poor quality but suitable as a fruit knife. In Roxy's eyes, such defective items should disappear rather than live out the rest of their days in peace.

She picked up the fruit knife and threw it behind her.

On the soft wooden board, the knife pierced a photo of a happy and confident girl in a white wedding dress, holding the hand of her beloved husband.

It was one of Olivia Taylor and Tobias Perkins' wedding photos.

Roxy looked at the wedding photo, split in half by the knife's shadow, and smiled. She picked up the phone, dialed a number, and waited for the call to connect.

After three rings, the call was answered.

"Director Perkins, it's me."

"I'm back."