chapter 31 Former enemies ===

“Yes.” The subordinate nodded, then turned and left. Thorpe Chen was thrilled to see an additional one hundred million in his account. Even though his family's company was about to go public in his past life, he had never been this wealthy. It was a hundred million! While he was still rejoicing, a familiar figure passed by. Thorpe Chen looked up, and after recognizing the man's silhouette, a murderous intent flashed in his eyes. It was Archie Zhang, Shipley Zhou's lackey. Shipley Zhou had framed him, and this bastard must have played a significant role in between. In his past life, Thorpe Chen had taken over his father's inheritance right after graduation. He entrusted almost all the company affairs to Shipley Zhou. This trust paved the way for Zhou's treachery. Chen could never forget this grudge. Since he encountered his enemy now, he thought it might be time to settle some scores. "To take action today," Archie Zhang spoke into his mobile phone as he walked, unaware of Thorpe Chen behind him. After finishing the call, he got into a van. Thorpe Chen hailed a taxi and followed from behind. At the Triumph Tower, Lorraine Ning left a law firm. Suddenly, a van stopped in front of her. The door opened, and several masked men rushed out. Caught off-guard, Lorraine Ning tried to turn around, but a man from behind covered her mouth with a towel. Her vision blurred, and she collapsed, with one of the men dragging her into the van. Inside the van, where Archie Zhang sat with the masked men, one of them with a fierce look passed a cigarette and asked, "Brother Zhang, we did a clean job, right?" "Very good," replied Zhang. "You've chosen the right person. This young woman kept pursuing Thorpe Chen's case. Boss Zhou, who's abroad, instructed to get rid of her. You've done well. You'll be rewarded handsomely." "Don't worry, Brother Zhang. This is what we're trained to do. She's just a woman. We can handle her," the man laughed and hinted with a lecherous smile, "She's pretty though, what if..." "What are you thinking?" Archie Zhang inquired. "I'm a beast. Just give me ten minutes," the man laughed boisterously. "Perhaps five minutes will suffice," Archie Zhang smirked, "Once I'm done questioning her, you can do as you please." "Haha, thanks, Brother Zhang." Outside the city, in an abandoned factory, Lorraine Ning was awakened with cold water. Bound and unable to move, Archie Zhang was squatting in front of her, laughing eerily, "Lorraine Ning, recognize me?" "Yes, you're Shipley Zhou's dog," Lorraine Ning replied coldly, staring at Zhang. "Correct. I'm Boss Zhou's dog," Archie Zhang confirmed with a chuckle. "Do you know why you're here?" "Did Shipley Zhou send you?" Lorraine Ning questioned. "Yes, Boss Zhou sent me," Archie Zhang laughed, "Don't blame me for being ruthless. It's just that you were too nosy, holding onto Thorpe Chen's case like that." "He's already dead. What's the point of overturning the case for him?" she retorted. "This matter... it involves Shipley Zhou, right?" Lorraine Ning paused before adding, "I guessed as much, but unfortunately, I couldn't find any evidence." "Well, since you're about to die, I might as well tell you," Archie Zhang laughed, "At least you'll know. Sadly, Thorpe Chen never realized his wife and Boss Zhou planned all this together." "Haha, that fool. A publicly-traded company and he unconditionally transferred all shares to his wife, Enid Li. Once she got the shares, what use was Thorpe Chen to her?" "What did you say?" Lorraine Ning's face turned pale. She shakily asked, "Is that true?" "Of course, it is. Thorpe Chen was so madly in love with his wife that he died without knowing any of this," Archie Zhang laughed heartily. "Enid Li... he loved you so much, how could you be so heartless?" Lorraine Ning cried out, "It's my fault. If it weren't for me, Thorpe Chen would never have met you, let alone fallen in love with you." Lorraine Ning's tears streamed down. She had always been dedicated to finding the truth, but when the truth was right in front of her, she couldn't accept it. "What's in your hand?" A bald man suddenly grabbed Lorraine Ning's hand. A small voice recorder was operating. "You wretch, how dare you record?" Archie Zhang was furious and slapped Lorraine Ning across the face. "Were you trying to trap me with my own words?" "Brother Zhang, let's not waste any more time. Lawyers are too cunning, I can't play along. Let me have my fun, and then we'll get rid of her," the big man said as he took off his shirt, leering at her. "Boss, we want in too. Don't forget about us." Two other men also approached with lewd smiles. "Bastards, hurry up," Archie Zhang crushed the voice recorder with his foot. "I, Lorraine Ning, swear that in this life and the next, even if I become a ghost, I will never let you off." Lorraine Ning tried to retreat, but one of the men grabbed her smooth calf. "I've taken several lives, and the police are still looking for me. I'm not scared when you're alive. Why would I be scared if you're dead?" The man sneered and reached to tear off Lorraine Ning's jacket. "Thorpe Chen, I'm sorry. I can't clear your name for you." Lorraine Ning closed her eyes, preparing to bite her tongue and end her life. Suddenly, a figure flashed, and with three loud thuds, the three big men were sent flying. Thorpe Chen quickly helped Lorraine Ning up, taking off his jacket and wrapping it around the dishevelled Lorraine. "Is it you?" A hint of surprise flashed in Lorraine Ning's eyes. This man, also named Thorpe Chen, gave her an inexplicable sense of security. Thorpe Chen's eyes were blood-red, and an intangible killing intent surged from him. If Archie Zhang hadn't admitted it himself, he would never have believed that the woman he had loved all his life had such a malicious heart. After being reborn, he often wondered how he would explain his identity to Enid Li if they ever met. Would she still want to spend the rest of her life with him if she knew? But now, there was no need for explanations. You never really know the true colours of a person who’s forever pretending. "Who are you? Kill him. Today's events cannot be leaked." Archie Zhang commanded. "Get him!" The big man waved his hand, preparing for an attack. Suddenly, a shadow flashed. With several crisp sounds, the heads of the three men were forcibly twisted to their backs. All three men fell to their knees, their heads twisted unnaturally. They were dead. Archie Zhang was horrified. He tried to run, but Thorpe Chen grabbed him by the neck. "Was everything you said true?" A voice that seemed to come from the depths of hell echoed in Archie Zhang's ears. Archie Zhang's eyes bulged in terror. Thorpe Chen's killing intent was palpable, his gaze cold and terrifying. In Thorpe Chen's eyes, he saw the shadow of another person. The Thorpe Chen who had died a year ago, the one they had framed and then shot to death.