13
The surveillance footage ended abruptly.
Noah was the first to break down. He grabbed Adam’s arm, sobbing uncontrollably.“You saw it, didn’t you? Sylvia was pleading for help, and I ignored her!.I killed her! I’m a sinner!”
Even the usually composed Adam wept. A heavy weight pressed on his chest. He remembered that day; he had even told Noah to deal with Charlotte’s fans so they wouldn’t affect her career.
How ironic!
He took a deep breath, fighting back his grief.“We’re both sinners. I’m also at fault. If it weren’t for me, Sylvia wouldn’t have suffered so much.”
“It’s all that bitch’s fault! I’ll kill her!” Noah’s eyes blazed with hatred; he wanted to tear Charlotte
apart.
As he stormed off, Adam stopped him.“Wait. We can still use her.”
That night, Adam brought dinner to the basement. It was where the Fowlers handled their unsavory business; bloodstains still marred the walls. Charlotte, in rags, lay on the floor like a dog, a far
cry from her former glamour.
Seeing him, she rushed forward, begging humbly.“Adam, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me. You loved me so much before. Don’t hurt me, okay?”
Adam glanced down; two bloody handprints stained the white fabric of her clothing. He suppressed his disgust, gently pushing back her hair from her face. He spoke softly, “I’m sorry, Charlotte. You know Sylvia and I grew up together. Noah and I treated her like a younger sister. Her death has broken us. Do you have a way to bring her back? If she can return, we’ll forgive you, and we can live happily as we did before.”
Since the system existed, bringing Sylvia back might be possible. They wouldn’t let go of any chance.
His gentle tone sent shivers down Charlotte’s spine. She knew Adam didn’t mean it, but she dared not disobey him; she nodded fearfully.
“I… I’ll
try, but I can’t guarantee success, because… I can’t contact the
Adam calmly replied, “Okay.”
system either.”
Charlotte tried to contact the system in her mind. She had always complained about the system’s nagging, but now she desperately hoped for a response.
She tried many times, even causing Adam’s face to darken, but she couldn’t connect. Just as she was about to give up, the system appeared.
“Host, what can I do for you?”
Hearing the familiar voice, Charlotte almost cried. Her voice choked with emotion.“System, please save me! I’ll never be arrogant again. Send me back to the real world. If not, can you if Sylvia Lawrence can be resurrected?”
tell me
< 13
The system paused before answering.“The Host’s choices are irreversible. As for Sylvia Lawrence, my colleague has given her a new body. I don’t know who she will be. Host, don’t contact me again. I need to greet the next Host.”
Charlotte heard the sound of disconnection in her mind, and the familiar feeling disappeared. She felt like being abandoned.
Seeing her return to her senses, Adam grabbed her filthy sleeve.“What did he say? Can you bring her back?”
< 14
14
