218: Chapter 218 Zhang Haonan's Call

Julie completely lost control of her emotions; the fear, despair, and anxiety that had been bottled up for so long erupted all at once.

Tears surged out, her shoulders heaved violently, and she nearly collapsed to the ground.

She thought she had grasped the final lifeline, but she didn't expect it to be just another scam.

Cao Kun immediately stepped forward, trying to soothe her with an urgent and earnest tone.

"Julie, calm down! Liu Ziqiang and I are definitely not in league! I have no reason to lie to you, and even less reason to play you!"

"Then explain! Why didn't he come? Why is his phone turned off?!"

Julie shrieked, tears blurring her vision. "No one else knew about our plan except for you! If you didn't leak it, then who did?!"

"I didn't leak anything, I can swear it to the heavens!" Cao Kun's tone was resolute.

"There must have been an accident that neither of us could have anticipated!"

Just as Cao Kun was desperately explaining and Julie was on the verge of a breakdown...

A sudden cell phone ringtone abruptly echoed through the warehouse.

The sharp ringing pierced the deathly silence, causing both of them to freeze in shock.

Julie looked down, and the name flashing on the screen made her blood run cold instantly.

Zhang Haonan.

Why was he calling?

Julie's brow furrowed deeply, her heart a mess of panic and confusion.

She had already resolved to cut ties with him completely and didn't want any further involvement, much less to drag him into her dark quagmire.

She didn't want to hear his voice, face his tenderness, or let her hard-won resolve waver again.

Without a moment's hesitation, Julie swiped the screen and hung up.

She gripped the phone, her heart thumping wildly and her eyes still rimmed with red.

But less than two seconds after hanging up, a message popped up—it was still from Zhang Haonan.

A few brief, urgent words.

"I have something urgent regarding Liu Ziqiang. Answer the phone now!"

Julie's pupils constricted.

Liu Ziqiang?

How did he know about Liu Ziqiang?!

Before she could react, the phone began ringing frantically again. It was Zhang Haonan once more; this time, the ringing sounded like a death knell—persistent, urgent, and repetitive.

Julie's hands shook uncontrollably.

An extremely ominous feeling, like a cold snake, slithered up her spine, leaving her chilled to the bone.

She glanced at Cao Kun, who was also frowning and gesturing for her to pick up.

Julie took a deep breath and, with trembling fingers, pressed the answer button. She put the phone to her ear, her voice hoarse and cold, tinged with a suppressed sob.

"Hello."

"Julie."

On the other end, Zhang Haonan's voice was low and gravelly, yet it held an unprecedented level of determination and coldness. The usual tenderness was gone, replaced by a resolute ferocity.

"Listen to me. I know everything now. Cao Kun told me."

Julie's whole body jolted. She snapped her gaze toward Cao Kun, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Cao Kun's heart leaped, sensing that things had taken a turn for the worse.

Before Julie could speak, Zhang Haonan's voice came through again, each word striking her heart like a sledgehammer.

"I've caught Liu Ziqiang. He's in my hands right now, tied up securely. He's not going anywhere."

Julie's mind went 'buzz' as it went completely blank.

Caught?

Tied up?

She froze where she stood, even forgetting to breathe.

"Don't you hate him? Don't you want revenge?" Zhang Haonan's voice wavered slightly but remained incredibly firm.

"I'll get it for you. I'm going to kill him today so he can never hurt you again."

"Come here. I'll let you watch with your own eyes as I kill this piece of scum for you."

"I'll send you the address. Get here quickly."

The words were barely out before the call was disconnected.

The dial tone beeped sharply and coldly.

Julie remained frozen with the phone held up, her face as white as a sheet and her eyes vacant, as if her soul had been snatched away.

A few seconds later, she snapped out of it, her body trembling violently. Tears poured down again as she choked out to Cao Kun, "How... how does he know... how did he catch Liu Ziqiang... he's going to kill someone... he's going to kill someone..."

Cao Kun's expression darkened. He hadn't expected Zhang Haonan to be so impulsive as to act alone, kidnap the man, and even prepare to commit murder!

Seeing Julie's breakdown, he didn't hide the truth. He spoke quickly and concisely, "I told him yesterday."

He then spent the briefest amount of time explaining how he had posed as a distant cousin and given Zhang Haonan the information about Liu Ziqiang.

"I just wanted him to understand your situation and let him decide whether to accept you or not. I didn't think he'd go and kidnap the man directly..."

Cao Kun's brow was knit tight, his tone laced with self-reproach.

Julie was plunged into a state of immense conflict and chaos after hearing this.

It felt as if her heart had been torn open—half filled with joy, half with agony.

The joy came from knowing...

...that Zhang Haonan knew all about her sordid past, yet he didn't despise her, abandon her, or look down on her. Instead, he felt for her and wanted to avenge her.

It turned out he really didn't care.

It turned out he really loved her enough to risk everything.

But the agony was...

...she felt she was unworthy of him.

She was tainted, unworthy of his kindness, his protection, and his unconditional love.

The more happiness she felt, the more guilt consumed her.

But now was not the time to wallow in emotions.

Zhang Haonan was going to kill someone!

If Zhang Haonan actually killed Liu Ziqiang, his life would be utterly destroyed!

He had a privileged background and a promising future; he shouldn't throw away his life, freedom, and future for a piece of scum like Liu Ziqiang!

Julie couldn't let him do it!

She absolutely couldn't!

"No... no!"

Julie suddenly grabbed Cao Kun's arm, her nails nearly digging into his skin, her eyes frantic and desperate.

"We have to go there right now! Stop him! He can't kill anyone! He can't ruin himself for someone like that! Nothing can happen to him!"

"I know." Cao Kun nodded solemnly.

"We're going now, right this second! Get a grip on yourself. Remember, we're not going there to watch; we're going to save someone, prevent a tragedy, and set things right!"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Julie nodded frantically, her tears still falling, but she forced herself to move.

Without further delay, the two of them turned and bolted out of the abandoned warehouse, racing toward where Cao Kun's car was parked.

...