Chapter 89

"A woman? What kind of woman?" Nancy had already started suspecting Melissa. To be precise, she had anticipated from the start that Murphy's appearance at the press conference must have been secretly aided by Melissa. "I can't say for sure, all I remember is her accent was very standard." Officer Timothy thought carefully. The woman's voice was pleasant, similar to a radio broadcaster of talk show programs, and she spoke very gently. Nancy nodded, that must be it. But how did the cunning Melissa find Murphy? If given the chance, she must meet with Philip Murphy to clarify things. "Officer Timothy, it's getting late, we don't want to disturb your lunch break, we should go." Nancy spoke in her sweet and considerate voice, it's not as if they could stay seated here the whole afternoon! Nancy picked up her handbag, adjusted her demeanor slightly, and prepared to support Liam to get up and leave. "Hold on, Mrs. Humphrey. We found a silver dagger at the scene, just wondering if it belongs to any of you?" Officer Timothy gave a signal to Tony Paul to bring out the evidence. Officer Timothy added seriously. "This dagger is related to a criminal case, we also can’t just let people go. We may need you three to stay a bit longer; otherwise, we won’t be able to explain it to our superiors." Officer Timothy spoke kindly with a sincere look of an apology on his face, but his tone was very stern, obviously not willing to let them go. "Officer Timothy, what do you mean by this? If you want to arrest someone, arrest him. Why are you keeping us here?" Liam angrily pointed at Murphy, his eyes were practically spewing fire. Nancy quietly pulled down the arm Liam was using to point at Murphy and cooed in his ear. “Don’t be angry, my dear. He is also being manipulated. Trust me, I’ll handle this." Nancy took out a check from her bag and wrote an amount of twenty million on it, calmly handing it over to Officer Timothy. "Sorry to trouble you, Officer Timothy, over something this trivial. This is a small token from my husband and myself as a donation to the police department. Please accept it on our behalf." Nancy gave a charming smile and stood up from the sofa supporting Liam. "But really, it's getting late. My husband has suffered some minor injuries and needs to rest at home, so we won’t disturb your work anymore." Speaking, Nancy casually handed a piece of paper to Murphy, and turned her head towards Murphy lip-syncing. "Call me." Nancy gave their final instructions and walked out of the police station with Liam. Murphy held the phone number Nancy had given him, only then realizing that he had been fooled by Melissa and almost harmed Nancy. Murphy waved down a taxi on the road, preparing to head back to his dimly lit and cramped rented apartment. Upon reaching home, Murphy immediately called Nancy. He just briefly rang her a few times. He knew if she was available, she would surely return his call. At this time, Nancy had already driven Liam back home. They travelled in silence, their relationship that had already been strained was even more fractured now. Liam collapsed onto the bed exhausted and not wanting to say a single word. He showed no concern for his own injuries or for Nancy and didn't want to question her either. "Liam?" Nancy placed her handbag on the console in the hall and also changed her shoes before heading to the bedroom. Seeing that Liam was injured all over, she felt particularly distressed. Nancy sat on the bed gently touching Liam's face but he turned his head away dismissively. Only then did Nancy say softly "So it turns out you are not sleeping." "No, I'm upset" Liam replied nonchalantly with his eyes closed. He didn't want to deal with Nancy at that moment. "Liam, I know you must be upset with me now, but I have something to tell you. I haven't seen that man in seven years and I haven't had any contact with him in this period. I assure you, Murphy showing up at the press conference must be part of a carefully planned conspiracy." The more anxious Nancy became, the faster she spoke. She didn't pinpoint Melissa's name. "I know, I just need to rest now. Nancy, hand me some painkillers please." Even though he was so injured, Liam didn't blame the person who had set a trap for him. Nancy was not pleased with his leniency toward Melissa. "Alright, just a moment. I will boil some hot water." Nancy took out two painkillers from the medicine box. Suddenly she saw a bottle of white sleeping pills. She steeled herself, stealthily took out two sleeping pills, crushed them into powder and mixed them into a cup of hot milk for Liam to drink. In the afternoon, under the effect of the sleeping pills, Liam slept soundly. Nancy watched Liam as he slept, lightly brushing over the wounds on his face, heart aching. "Melissa, if it's really you, I swear to make you suffer a thousandfold!" Nancy carefully tucked Liam into bed, silently left the room, and firmly closed the bedroom door. Liam should be able to sleep for at least twelve hours. Nancy took out her phone from her handbag, as expected, Murphy had called her. "Tell me your address, I'll come to see you!" Nancy sent a message to Murphy. Since she, Melissa, could use Murphy, why couldn't Nancy? Nancy narrowed her eyes maliciously, looking at the address Murphy sent her, she put on her coat and left the house. An hour later, Nancy arrived at a very dilapidated residential building, following the specific location given by Murphy, she found Murphy's rented room. She knocked on the door tentatively, and her heart rate gradually increased as she waited at the door for half a minute. Over the years, Nancy had always felt profoundly guilty toward Murphy. However, she wasn't here to rekindle their past connection, but to get back at the person who'd hurt her and Liam through Murphy. The door opened, and Murphy stood there quietly, looking at Nancy with affectionate eyes. Without hesitation, Nancy rushed into Murphy's house and held him tightly. "Darling, long time no see!" A tear fell from Nancy's eyes, she leaned into Murphy's ear and whispered softly. Murphy was stunned. This embrace he'd longed for, for a full seven years, he questioned if he was dreaming. "Nancy..." "Shh, don't speak." Nancy sealed his lips with her soft tongue tip. When she was in school, she would use her body to achieve her goals and managed to win over Liam, pushing away Melissa. Mastering this skill, Nancy was more proficient than anyone else. Murphy's passion was ignited; he had been longing for this moment of reunion for a long time. Murphy pressed Nancy against the wall, his trenchcoat dropping. Murphy's kisses wandered over Nancy's fair neck, furiously nibbling her well-maintained and tender skin. "No, don't leave any marks" Nancy cautiously reminded him, still silently savouring the kiss.