4 Mr. Satan

A man's voice blasted through the phone, dripping with frustration: "We've been holed up in room 2302 all night, a dozen of us. Not a single woman showed up! You're sending us here to take nude pictures of some chick, but my boys wasted a whole night waiting. Sophia, you better not be playing games with us."

 

Sophia's brow furrowed. "That woman didn't go to 2302? That doesn't make any sense..."

 

Knowing that Olivia frequented the bar, Sophia had bribed the security beforehand. Once Olivia entered room 2302, the security would bring in a few guys to strip her down, and then Sophia would use those nude photos to pressure Emily into divorcing Nathan.

 

Emily only had Olivia as a friend, and she couldn't afford to have those compromising photos leaked. So, she'd surely opt for a divorce with Nathan.

 

But fate had a different plan in store. Just hours ago, Sophia received a call from the bar's security. They had spotted Emily entering the bar!

 

It seemed like luck was on Sophia's side. She decided to redirect the plan towards Emily using the security.

 

It was a solid plan, but unexpected hurdles arose.

 

The man on the other end of the line remained incensed, "Sophia, you've played tricks on us,l. You owe me double the cash, or I'll spill the beans to Nathan about everything you've done!"

 

Sophia seethed and abruptly ended the call.

 

This security guard had a shady past, having spent time behind bars. Sophia knew he was capable of anything.

 

Under her breath, Sophia cursed. She couldn't afford to fork over that much cash, but she could find another way to make it up to him. After all, he agreed to help her for one reason—to exploit women. She could lure Emily into her trap once more and make her compensate the scoundrel.

 

Meanwhile, Emily's phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number.

 

"Watch out for room 2302. There are several men there looking to cause you harm. All orchestrated by Sophia."

 

Emily's heart skipped a beat. Despite the hotel's decent soundproofing, she couldn't ignore the looming danger from next door. Fear crept in further.

 

Her trembling fingers tapped out a response.

 

"Who are you?"

 

"Don't you remember? We were together just an hour ago."

 

It was him!

 

That man!

 

Emily's hands shook even more.

 

Another text followed: "Think over what I said last night, and give me a call after you've made up your mind."

 

At the message's end was a signature—Satan.

 

The name instantly conjured memories of the man pinning her down yesterday. He was like a devil from hell, emanating a mysterious yet dangerous aura.

 

He had offered to help her seek vengeance. Did he hold a grudge against Nathan?

 

Who was he?

 

Was he Nathan's business rival or Sophia's admirer?

 

Emily's mind raced with questions. She shut her eyes, trying to clear her thoughts.

 

She was just a soon-to-be-divorced woman. What more could others possibly want from her?

 

Dawn broke, casting the room in a soft glow.

 

Emily stared at the sunlight, feeling as though yesterday's events were nothing but a dream. But the remnants of alcohol and the hotel room reminded her of the dramatic reality.

 

She rose from bed, surveying the room slowly.

 

Another text arrived on her phone.

 

"There's a bank card on the table with a million in it. Spend it as you please, and let me know if it's not enough."

 

Emily was taken aback. "Mr. Satan, are you trying to keep me?"

 

"I know it's not much. I didn't have much cash on hand when I rushed out last night. I'll provide more later."

 

Emily was stunned, lost for words. She dialed the number from the message.

 

The call connected after a long wait.

 

A deep, gravelly voice greeted her. "Emily?"

 

His tone, calling her name, carried an ambiguous intimacy, as if a hand were reaching through the phone to caress her.

 

Nathan had always addressed her with icy detachment. This was the first time a man had called her name with such warmth.

 

Emily hesitated but gathered her resolve. "Mr. Satan, I appreciate the offer, but I don't want to be kept. I understand your intentions, but I don't need your help right now. What happened last night was just a one-time thing, and we owe each other nothing."

 

The man chuckled softly. "You're quite sensible. You've piqued my interest even more."

 

"You..." Emily trailed off.

 

"Emily, there's no rush to refuse me. I understand your situation, and I know you need the money."

 

"I don't need it. I can earn my own money."

 

Emily's voice was resolute. Accepting money from the devil at this juncture wasn't a straightforward decision.

 

But as soon as she hung up, the hospital called.

 

"Emily, your father fell ill after a call and needs emergency surgery. Please come immediately!"

 

Emily rushed to the hospital, where her father had already been wheeled into the operating room.

 

"How is my dad?" Emily asked a nurse anxiously.

 

"He was stable before, but after a call this morning, he fell ill. His blood pressure spiked to 180... The doctors are doing their best..."

 

"Doing their best" sounded so inadequate in the face of her father's life.

 

Her father, William Carter, suffered from heart disease and had been on medication for years. But his condition worsened over time.

 

The doctor emerged from the operating room, his scrubs stained with blood. "Are you William Carter's daughter?"

 

"I am. How's my dad?" Emily's voice trembled.

 

"He's in critical condition and needs immediate surgery..." The doctor's expression was grave.

 

Emily nodded fervently. "Please, doctor, you have to save him..."

 

"But the surgery costs..."

 

The surgery would cost thirty thousand.

 

Despite being Nathan's wife, Emily didn't have that kind of money.

 

But with her father's life on the line, she had no choice!

 

She found Nathan's number on her phone and dialed.

 

It took a while for the call to connect.

 

Nathan's voice, cold as ice, came through. "Are you in such a hurry to divorce?"

 

It dawned on Emily that they had agreed to meet for divorce proceedings today.

 

The time on her phone read seven thirty, still before the appointed hour.

 

"Nathan..." Emily's voice wavered, "Can you lend me thirty thousand..."

 

"Hmph!" Nathan's disdain was palpable. "Regretting it now? Did I fill in the wrong amount on the check I gave you yesterday? Is that why you need more money to agree to the divorce?"

 

"No... I..." Emily struggled to explain, the urgency of the situation pressing on her, "Nathan, even if I beg, I only need thirty thousand... After all, I'm still your wife."

 

Nathan cut her off. "Emily, your greed is sickening."

 

The nurse's voice could be heard in the background, urging her to make a decision quickly.

 

Gritting her teeth, Emily persisted. "Nathan, call me greedy or promiscuous, but consider this thirty thousand a loan. I'll work hard to pay you back. My father's condition is critical, and I've never asked anything of you before, but this time, I'm begging you..."

 

"Critical?"

 

Suddenly, Sophia's voice pierced through the line, dripping with malicious amusement. "Your dad isn't dead yet?"

 

Emily froze. "Where's Nathan? Why are you answering his phone?"

 

Sophia's tone was languid. "Nathan said he didn't want to hear your voice anymore, so he let me take the call. My dear Emily, you're so bothersome, calling so early and disturbing people's sleep. I'm exhausted."

 

"Did you two sleep together last night?"

 

"Of course. I just slept in your bed, my dear Emily. Your bed and your man, I found them quite comfortable..."

 

"Do you have no shame?! I don't have time to waste on you. Give the phone to Nathan!"

 

"Nathan said if it's not about divorce, he doesn't want to talk to you anymore," Sophia said with a smirk, "I heard about your dad needing surgery. Needs money, doesn't he?"

 

Emily struggled to contain her emotions.

 

Her father's life hung in the balance, and she had to swallow her pride.

 

"Sophia, my dad fell ill after a call this morning, and he's in bad shape. Can you ask Nathan to lend me thirty thousand first? I'll sign an IOU..."

 

"It's possible..." Sophia chuckled, "But even if Nathan agrees, I won't let him give you the money. Because that call was me calling your dad."

 

Emily stood rooted to the spot. "What did you tell him?"

 

"Not much, just mentioned your little tryst with a man. Who knew the old man couldn't handle it and went straight to the operating room..."