This was a wallet address and private key for a virtual digital currency. She couldnât even remember it herself and had to write it down in a notebook.
The content in the picture was exactly the same as what was in her own notebook, which made Hela completely unable to sit still.
The existence of this thing was unknown not only to her nominally married but actually estranged husband, but even her own biological son and younger sister were unaware. An outsider looking at it wouldnât even understand what it was.
Then another picture came through. The image clearly recorded what type of cryptocurrency was in this wallet, the quantity, its value, and which platform it had been transferred from.
Hela felt a chill to her very bones.
She herself had forgotten these specific details.
If the previous matters were just minor incidents that might affect her promotion but wouldnât truly impact her career, then the things before her eyes now could completely end Helaâs life. They could even lead to unavoidable prison time, because with her income, she simply couldnât explain how she came to possess so much money.
Hela understood clearly in her heart. The other party hadnât explicitly stated it, but she knew they were threatening her precisely because this money was unclean.
Her earlier anger vanished instantly, leaving her slumped weakly in her chair. She gasped for breath for a long moment, then picked up the landline and dialed an internal number. Her voice was so hoarse she could hardly believe it was her own, "Hello, Leem, arrange for someone to cover my shift tonight. I have a bit of a headache and want to go back to rest."
After leaving the unit, Hela felt panicked and disoriented. Gritting her teeth, she tried dialing the number again, but the call still wouldnât connect.
Back in the community, she wandered around like a zombie for a while, then, as if guided by some ghostly force, ended up at her younger sister Chloeâs house.
"Sis, what are you doing here!" Chloe was busy in the kitchen, wearing loungewear. She turned her head and smiled radiantly, "Perfect timing, Iâve been learning to make a stewed soup. Letâs have a bowl together."
Hela saw the child was sleeping and walked out, sitting down at the dining table with a smile, "Youâve become quite diligent."
Chloe brought the soup over, sticking out her tongue a little sheepishly, "Itâs just a simple stewed soup, thatâs all."
The soup was black chicken stewed with ginseng, indeed very simple. However, when made at home, the ingredients used were of better quality. Just a little salt to enhance the flavor made it sufficiently fresh and sweet.
While drinking the soup, Hela couldnât help but observe her sister. She had only found out about the Carter incident afterwards and had scolded her sister for not explaining things properly to her. She was constantly worried that her precious sister would get hurt.
She had then looked into the situation and had a vague sense that her sister seemed to have another man.
Seeing her now, that possibility seemed very high. Her sisterâs complexion looked excellent, radiant and glowing, clearly well-nourished by a man. Her every movement carried a more sensual, feminine charm.
Despite such a major upheaval in her family, she seemed unaffected. The only explanation was that the man must be providing her with substantial support.
Putting down her bowl, Hela spoke openly and honestly, "Chloe, is that man treating you alright?"
Chloe didnât hide anything either. After a momentâs thought, her face flushed red as she said, "He treats me especially well. He helped me during my previous financial difficulties. Sis, I told you before that I was scammed, right? Now, itâs the lawyer he found who is handling my lawsuit."
"That day... if he hadnât been there, I donât even dare to think what that lunatic Carter might have done."
"That really is quite good!" Hela nodded, smiling with approval, "Youâre beautiful. My biggest worry since you were little has always been that youâd be deceived by a man. Hearing this, it seems that guy really isnât bad."
"He really is quite good. Heâs quite tall and handsome too, which makes me feel a bit like an old cow eating young grass." Chloeâs face was full of blissful smiles.
Hela glanced towards the room and said, "When are you going to bring him out? Let me vet him for you."
At this, Chloeâs expression turned somewhat awkward. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Sis, itâs not convenient."
Hela pressed further, "Whatâs not convenient about it? Even though youâre not divorced yet and have a child, with your figure and looks, surely he wouldnât dare look down on you!"
Chloe looked utterly helpless and finally sighed, "He already has a wife."
Seeing her younger sisterâs expression, which resembled that of a lovesick young girl, Hela fell silent, unsure of what to say.
After all, she found this expression particularly unfamiliar. Even when her sister got married, she hadnât shown such a look.
Hearing this, Hela felt a surge of anger at first, but then she sighed helplessly, "Chloe, I donât know what youâre thinking. With your qualities, how could you become someoneâs mistress? I just canât understand it."
This younger sister had been the prized daughter of the family since she was little. In Helaâs heart, she was her pride, without exaggeration.
She had even felt that Carter, a senior executive at an airline, wasnât good enough for her sister. For someone as proud and arrogant as her to willingly become another manâs mistress was something no one could have anticipated.
"Sis, he is good enough to me, and I love him very much. Thatâs enough." Chloe, however, was no longer flustered. She said with a serious expression, "So what if we canât get married? Look at the chaos in my life now. Maintaining the current situation is actually quite good."
"Youâre not a child anymore, so I wonât nag you. You can decide for yourself." Seeing the look of yearning and springtime passion on her sisterâs face, Helaâs inner gossipmonger emerged, and she couldnât resist teasing, "It seems you two are very much in love. Your complexion is so much better than before."
"My skin is more tender now, right?!" Chloe was a bit shy, but she couldnât help showing off, "His... is very strong. Each time, he keeps me busy for half an hour!!"
"You! Who asked you about that? Honestly, itâs true what they say about women changing after having a child. You dare to say anything now." Helaâs pretty face flushed red as she chided her sister, immediately changing the subject, "By the way, when are you going to hire a nanny? Itâs not convenient to take care of the child all by yourself all the time."
"I hired two more, but they just werenât suitable!" Chloe sighed, "Sister, that relative your daughter-in-law introduced, I asked about her. Sheâs in the capital for lactation massage training and wonât be back for another ten days. I plan to wait a bit longer."
"Thatâs fine too. Itâs better to have someone professional. Iâve met that relative of hers once. She seemed very gentle, quiet, and attentive at first glance." Hela sat for a while longer, then suddenly said in a low voice, "Have you thought about what I discussed with you last time?"
"Itâs... itâs not that Iâm reluctant to give up this marital home!" Chloe said with considerable helplessness, "Itâs just that I bought this house myself, and I designed the decoration myself. Iâm reluctant to part with it."
Although Carterâs parents had been arrested on suspicion of confidentiality breaches, it was still unknown whether they would face prison time. Furthermore, his family came from a poor, remote area with other relatives. Hela was worried that if her sister continued living here, something unexpected might happen.
Adding to that was the previous incident where Anglo sent people to splash paint, and another time when someone used glue to jam the lock. It could be said that her life had been far from peaceful.
Following Helaâs suggestion, the minimum course of action was to sell this house and buy another one in a different building within the same community to move into.
"Maybe... you should call your man and ask his opinion." Seeing her sisterâs distraught state, Hela made the suggestion. She also wanted to know what kind of man had her sister so utterly captivated.
"Okay, okay. But sister, you mustnât say anything!" "Fine, put it on speakerphone. I want to see just what kind of remarkable person has charmed my sister to this extent."