Semua Bab THE ABANDONED WIFE: Bab 81 - Bab 90

The grand ballroom buzzed with vibrant energy, the air thick with the murmur of conversations and the clinking of glasses. The party was in full swing, a celebratory affair following the successful signing of a crucial international investment contract. Yet, amidst the revelry, Rich, the company's usually charismatic CEO, stood apart. He was a solitary figure in a dimly lit corner, a glass of amber liquid clutched in his hand, its contents barely touched. The truth was, he hadn't wanted to be here. The weight of the day's intense negotiations still pressed heavily on him, and all he truly desired was the quiet solitude of his home. However, his position demanded his presence, a symbol of gratitude and success for the visiting investors. Across the room, Liana was a whirlwind of practised charm, embodying the role of the perfect hostess. She glided from table to table, her laughter echoing, ensuring her presence was felt by every guest. A carefully cultivated percept

The world dissolved into a starless void. One moment, the harsh glow of the campus lights illuminated her frantic face as she reached for the taxi door; the next, an all-encompassing darkness swallowed her whole. The last sensation was a dull, sickening thud against the back of her skull, followed by an abrupt silence that was more terrifying than any noise. Megan’s phone slipped from her numb fingers and clattered onto the tarmac, its screen displaying Dante’s contact. The cab driver, oblivious to the silent violence unfolding behind him, waited patiently, the meter ticking. A shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, his face obscured by the low-hanging branches of a nearby acacia tree. He swiftly retrieved Megan’s phone, his movements precise and deliberate. With a final, lingering glance at Megan’s unconscious form sprawled on the ground, he melted back into the night, leaving no trace of his presence. Inside the grand hotel, the party continued its raucous crescendo. Laught

As the first rays of dawn filtered through the blinds of the hospital waiting room, casting long, pale shadows, the weight of the night’s events pressed down on Queen and Dante. The initial shock had begun to give way to a gnawing anxiety, a desperate yearning for any news about Megan. Wendy sat quietly beside Dante, her presence a silent question mark in the tense atmosphere. The police officer returned with a weary look on his face. “We’ve reviewed the CCTV footage from the campus gate,” he began, his voice low and serious. “It’s… not very clear. The area was dimly lit, and the crucial moment was obscured by the branches of the acacia tree.” Queen’s heart sank. That one piece of evidence, the potential key to unlocking the mystery, was shrouded in darkness. “However,” the police officer continued, his gaze meeting Queen’s, “we did see a figure running away from the scene shortly after the estimated time of the attack. We will continue working on it". A chill ran down Queen’s s

As the heavy silence stretched between them, Dante's friends looked at each other, then back at him, their faces a mix of hurt and bewilderment."Dante, listen to yourself," Kevin pleaded, his voice softer now, tinged with genuine distress. "We would never do anything to hurt Megan, or you. Why would we? We just wanted you to have some fun, to get your mind off things. You've been so focused on your studies and Megan… we thought you needed a break."Ben nodded, his gaze meeting Dante’s directly now, a flicker of something akin to fear in his eyes. "He's right, man. We were just trying to be good friends. If someone used that party, used us... That's messed up, but we had nothing to do with it. We swear."Their earnestness, the genuine shock in their eyes, chipped away slightly at Dante's hardened resolve. He wanted to believe them. He needed to believe them. But the logical part of his brain, the one now working overtime to piece together the fragments of this nightmare, wouldn't l

The tranquil hum of the countryside, a stark contrast to the city's ceaseless thrum, did little to quell the shock that rippled through Megan's parents as their daughter, whom they had sent off to the bustling city campus with such high hopes, returned home bruised and withdrawn. The sight of their vibrant child, diminished and fragile, ignited a furious desire to sue the university, to demand accountability for the harm inflicted upon her. However, Queen, with her calm demeanor and steady voice, carefully filled them in on the harrowing events. She recounted the attack, the text on Megan's phone that lured her out of her hostel room which is now missing from her phone and suspicion that Dante might be the reason why Megan was attacked. While the details were horrific, Queen assured them that the police were actively working on the case, a fragile promise that offered a sliver of solace amidst their anger and concern. "Megan is in a relationship?" Megan's Dad asked as he turned to