Chapter 176: Pretending and Equivocating (1/2)

”Yes,” I said. It was a barefaced lie. I was sure that the drug helped my face remain stoic and free of any signs of my lie slipping through.

She inched back before moving out of the room.

Benny was eyeing me curiously and I could tell that he was slowly losing patience. He had worked very hard to come in front of me in this manner. He was ready to test me and my pretending not to remember him or have no clue was thoroughly confusing him.

I could see it clearly in his eyes.

”Why did you do that?” he asked. I was impressed by the hint of fear in his voice. It was surely pretense, but at least he was trying.

”What do you mean?” I asked, blinking my eyes.

”My dad is high up in the police so I was trained in hostage situations,” he said in a hurry. It was true, high ranking officials in the government and big businessmen often took classes on this subject so that they didn't get killed if a financially-motivated criminal took them hostage.

How the rich live!

”Oh? What did they teach you?” I enquired. I was also curious as to what he would tell me. The truth or something else.

”We were told not to speak unless we are directly being spoken to. I was told not to overly sympathize with the hostage-taker, too. One wrong move and you can end up dead, don't you know?” he said in a biting remark.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Jade quiver in place. Her hateful glare was back.

”If you don't keep quiet, we'll get killed. So, please… stop talking!” he pressed. His eyes flitted to the other two people in the room.

”Is that really what you want to say?” I asked finally.

”What else would I say?” he looked offended but I could see the mirth in his eyes.

”You're General Director Phillips' son, right?” I stared at him intently. He looked stunned for a second before nodding hesitantly. ”How did they capture you again?”

He didn't answer. ”What an eclectic group we are, huh?” I laughed. ”One person who was brought here to torture and turn into a sex slave. One person who saw the kidnapping and was brought along to make sure no one else found out. One person who was investigating the matter and got kidnapped because they found out the real criminals.” I paused for my words to settle in. ”Why did they bring you in? There is no logic to you being here.”

That threw him off. I was getting sick and tired of his pretense, so I wanted to play with him a little. I wanted to speed up his reactions. The less calm he was, the more control I would have over the situation. Therefore, I could only instigate him.

”How should I know? Maybe they have something to do with my father.”

I hung my head and my shoulders shook with silent laughter.

”What are you laughing about?” Jade spoke up finally, paranoia clear in her voice.

”I just think getting kidnapped twice in my life is a real impossibility.” And then I laughed some more. ”Did you know that the probability of a person being attacked by a serial killer once in their life is lesser than being struck by lightning?”

Gene grew very silent. ”And the probability of meeting two is impossible. I have met a lot of serial killers by now because of my work, but I have already been abducted twice and been held captive by four serial killers.” I think my laugh was hysterical at this point.

”Don't you think it is funny?” I couldn't stop.

”You… you have experience?” Jade whispered. ”I thought you were helping them… so…”

I glared at her. ”I know how to communicate with killers and criminals. Negotiation and interrogation of victims is my specialization. Even another serial killer isn't as good at convincing people as I am,” I told her.

She frowned.

”Benny, right?” I turned to him. ”You've been following your instructor to the best of your capacity and staying silent. And you should keep doing that. You won't die this time. But leave my life in my own hands. I don't need you to teach me how to manage myself.”

I think my voice was too loud.

”Why are you shouting at me?” he asked, affronted. ”I am just trying to save myself!”

I scoffed. ”Then don't try to hurt others. Don't make comments or contradict anything I say. Just sit there and watch the show like you intended to. Don't put these two in danger,” I sneered.

Gene sniffed and I knew that she was holding back her tears. She hadn't met Benny's eyes since I told them to be careful. Jade was more cautious, so she remained suspicious of the rest of us. But Gene… innocent Gene didn't know how to hide her thoughts.

If Benny wasn't focusing solely on me, he would have caught her weird reactions long ago.

There was one thing that made me think, though. Benny was cautious… but he didn't seem to be this evil mastermind that I had imagined him to be. He was missing signs and looking bewildered in this situation.