Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

Chapter 405



Melody was playing a dangerous game, and I knew it. It wasn't just a hunch that Robin wouldn't abandon us, and that he'd find me and Stella-it was a calculated guess. So, Melody's decision to stay hidden was a trap to lure me in? To take me out when I least expected it?

The thought sent shivers down my spine. Melody wanted to take over my life, and the only way to do that was to get rid of me.

"Something's off about Melody," Robin began, but before he could finish his thought, the staircase beneath us trembled.

"Watch out!"

"Phoebe!"

In a split second, the staircase shattered, leaving a gaping, dark void that seemed to lead straight to the basement of this 17-story nightmare.

Colin, panicked, tried to rush forward but was luckily caught by Bran, saving him from tumbling into the abyss.

"Colin!" My heart clenched, and I yelled his name as I teetered on the edge of the broken floor.

Colin nearly fell through, his feet dislodging pebbles that took an age to echo back up to us, a terrifying testament to the depth below. Looking up at me, Colin's eyes were filled with a mix of panic and hurt, as if despite our proximity, an insurmountable gap lay between us.

He stood perilously close to the void, his eyes reflecting his fear and vulnerability.

"We'll find another way out. Wait for me on the 15th floor," I said, trying to inject a note of calm into my voice.

"Hey, get away from the edge, will ya? If you fall, your wife's gonna have my head," Bran muttered, pulling Colin back from the brink. Colin's gaze hardened at Bran's words, a silent reprimand for not bringing Dexter and Melody back safely and allowing them a chance to exploit the situation.

Bran averted his eyes, guiltily looking away. "There's gotta be another way out."

"We need to find a way in," I said, glancing at Robin. There was no turning back now-we had to save them.

Robin nodded and tapped on the wall, an indication that James was still trapped inside. But the fool wasn't making any progress with the door. Suddenly, a click sounded from within, and the wall shifted.

I couldn't help but scoff. James wasn't smart enough to figure out the mechanism that quickly. It had to be Melody and Dexter finding their way to us. As the wall opened, James, fueled by rage, lunged at me. "Foebe, I'll kill you!"

His attack was full of lethal intent, but I sidestepped smoothly, watching as he stumbled towards the open void behind me.

He screamed as he almost fell, but Robin, ever the hero, grabbed him by the collar at the last second. I knew Robin wouldn't just stand by and watch him die.

"If you value your life, you'll keep quiet from now on," I warned James, stepping into the room where Melody and Dexter were indeed waiting. Dexter's eyes lit up with relief at seeing me, but he held back his questions.

"The emergency stairs have collapsed. We need to find another way out," Robin explained, then turned to me. "What's our next move?"

"She's not Phoebe, is she? Phoebe, before her amnesia, was a genius. Let her lead us out," I said, pointing at Melody, my voice dripping with

sarcasm.

Melody frowned, hostility in her gaze. "Done pretending, Foebe?"Exclusive © material by Nô(/v)elDrama.Org.

"Done. I can't beat you at your own game," I replied nonchalantly.

Robin glanced at Dexter. "Any other exits?"

"There's a ventilation shaft in the southeast corner. It was supposed to be an elevator shaft in the original blueprints," Dexter said, his eyes never leaving me.

If it was an elevator shaft, it would go straight up and down-our ticket to the 15th floor.

"Scumbag..." James, still shaken, was cursing under his breath. He leaned against the wall for support, his legs trembling.

"Our priority is to find a way to the 15th floor," Robin said, concern etching his features. "I have a feeling the upper three floors were just the beginning. With fifteen floors to go and sixteen of us left, it might end with only one survivor."

We all knew the stakes now. Every floor could mean the death of one of us.

"Let's get out of here," Melody said, quickly finding a mechanism to open a secret passage. I watched her closely, knowing Melody wasn't the type tosuddenly become a genius. Something was off, and I had to stay on guard.