Chapter 557: Taking the Bait

Valerius Avenue was on the border of the South and North Districts. There was some localized flooding nearby. Though not very deep, residents had been evacuated under government orders as a safety precaution.

The Serene Leaf Teahouse was a landmark building near Valerius Avenue, situated on a small hillside. The environment was elegant, but unfortunately, the teahouse had closed down due to poor management during the volcanic eruption in the second year of the cataclysm.

On the top floor of The Serene Leaf Teahouse, Kylie Walsh sat by the window, holding a cup of black tea and silently watching the cars come and go below, an unconcealable anxiety etched in her features.

A moment later, a DING from a phone notification cut through the air. The hand Kylie Walsh was using to hold her tea trembled slightly. She quickly set the cup down and shot an inquisitive look at Chloe Sharp, who stood nearby holding the phone.

Chloe Sharp immediately checked the phone, then gave a small smile. Leaning over, she presented the screen to Kylie Walsh and said, "Miss Walsh, Melody Summers agreed. She said she’s coming over right away."

Kylie Walsh’s eyes were fixed on the phone screen. Once she made out Melody Summers’s reply, she finally breathed a sigh of relief, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.

’She’d been worried this whole time, afraid Melody Summers would see through the trap and refuse to come.’

’Thankfully, Melody Summers hadn’t noticed anything was wrong. Now she could finally relax.’

Now that Nina Summers was locked up, all they had to do was wait for Melody Summers. Then, she would teach those two sisters the meaning of a fate worse than death!

At the thought of Zara Walsh’s death, a thick hatred flashed in Kylie Walsh’s eyes. ’If it weren’t for those two sisters, my niece Zara wouldn’t have died! I’ll make them join her in the grave to atone for it!’

Seeing this, Autumn Sawyer, who was sitting across from Kylie Walsh, looked up and gave Chloe Sharp a small smile. "Sharp, you did well this time," she said.

Upon hearing this, Chloe Sharp immediately broke into a sycophantic grin. "Thank you for the praise, Autumn!" she replied in a fawning tone. "It’s my honor to be of service to you!"

Back when Frank York racked up massive gambling debts and killed himself by jumping off a building, Chloe Sharp grew terrified of being implicated. She packed her bags overnight and fled The Metropolis Residences.

She had originally planned to return to her hometown to live with her parents but was unfortunately attacked by robbers on the road. Just as she thought she was about to be killed, a passing Autumn Sawyer saved her.

As it happened, Chloe Sharp and Autumn Sawyer had some history.

Three years ago, Autumn Sawyer was a popular celebrity, and Chloe Sharp was one of her most loyal fans.

Since Chloe’s video account had a substantial follower base and her edits of Autumn’s acting received high traffic, Autumn Sawyer’s studio contacted her. The two parties reached an agreement, and Chloe became one of Autumn’s official fan leaders.

Autumn Sawyer was now with Kylie Walsh’s cousin, Brandon Walsh. In addition to being his mistress, she also helped manage his privately-owned entertainment venues. She was in desperate need of someone reliable whose background she knew, and it was then that she stumbled upon Chloe Sharp being mugged.

And just like that, Autumn Sawyer kept Chloe Sharp by her side to do her bidding. To make Chloe more valuable, she even pleaded with the Walshs to get Chloe a recommendation at Rhodes.

They had only managed to lure Nina Summers out this time because she and Chloe were colleagues, which had made Nina lower her guard.

However...

Chloe Sharp, after holding back for as long as she could, finally bit the bullet and asked, "But, Autumn... when I lured Nina out, some of our coworkers saw me... If something happens to her, will I still be able to go back to my job at Rhodes?"

A fawning smile remained plastered on Chloe Sharp’s face, but her tone was laced with apprehension. Nina had left with her; if Nina disappeared, she would undoubtedly be caught up in it.

’Once the Summers Family calls the police, the investigation will inevitably lead back to me. Will I still be able to keep my job at Rhodes? She really couldn’t bear to lose her job at Rhodes. It was an opportunity she’d fought so hard for.’

Autumn Sawyer just smiled at her words, taking a delicate sip from her teacup without saying anything.

Kylie Walsh, who was standing nearby, snorted in disdain. "So what if you can’t go back? Don’t you forget, you only got the referral for the Rhodes interview because of us! Everything you have, the Walsh Family gave to you!"

Kylie Walsh’s words were meant for both Chloe Sharp and Autumn Sawyer.

’She had to remind these two women that everything they had came from the Walsh Family. They were obligated to help her get revenge for Zara!’

Fearing Autumn Sawyer wasn’t getting the message, Kylie Walsh thought for a moment, then raised an eyebrow at her. "Don’t you forget how you latched onto my cousin... If I hadn’t made the introduction, you’d be out there with that Serena Kent, selling your body in some godforsaken place!"

Kylie’s words were brutally blunt, no different from a slap to the face. Autumn’s brow twitched, and a fire of rage ignited within her.

But she had survived in the entertainment industry for years; even when publicly humiliated, she could maintain a graceful smile. "Of course, I know," she replied, her smile perfectly pleasant. "It is only because you dote on me, Kylie, that I have a way to survive. I will certainly do everything in my power to help you."

After finishing her piece with a smile, Autumn viciously added a curse in her mind. ’Idiot!’

’An absolute idiot!’

’Kylie Walsh’s plan was far from brilliant; from where Autumn stood, it was riddled with holes. If Melody Summers sensed something was off and called the police, it would bring nothing but trouble down on The Serene Leaf Teahouse!’

’On the surface, The Serene Leaf Teahouse was a bankrupt business. In reality, it was an illicit playground run by Brandon Walsh. Prostitution, gambling, drugs—you could find it all here. It was even more discreet than The Crestview Hotel, catering exclusively to the rich, powerful, and government officials.’

’If word of this place ever got out, scores of people would be ruined!’

’Autumn had been on edge ever since she learned of Kylie’s plan. She had tried desperately to dissuade her, to get her to choose a different method of revenge, but Kylie was like a blood-crazed fighting cock. She wouldn’t listen to reason and was dead set on luring the Summers sisters here!’

’Even knowing it was a stupid plan, Autumn couldn’t refuse Kylie. She had only gotten to Brandon Walsh through Kylie; she couldn’t afford to offend a single member of the Walsh Family.’

’All she could do now was pray that things went smoothly and that the Summers sisters would just behave and not cause a scene.’

Hearing Autumn Sawyer’s assurance, Kylie Walsh finally nodded in satisfaction.

Kylie Walsh wasn’t unaware of the huge risks involved in this plan, but she didn’t have any better options at the moment.

Shane Walsh had repeatedly and strictly forbidden her from going after the Summers Family to avoid further complications. Since she couldn’t command anyone else, her only option was to force Autumn Sawyer to help.

Seeing that both Chloe and Autumn looked apprehensive, Kylie put down her teacup and offered a casual reassurance. "Alright, stop worrying. They’re just a couple of fresh college grads, weak as kittens. What are they going to do, turn the whole world upside down?"

"When they get here, have your men break their arms and legs first. Then pull out their teeth and sew their eyes shut. How are they going to fight back then?"