In the concealed realm of a surveillance blind spot, an intricate dance of intrigue and suspense unfolded. Du Yue, the ever-vigilant observer, couldn't help but sense the heavy silence that enveloped General Jack. With a curiosity that gnawed at him, he cautiously broke the stillness, his voice laced with a palpable tension, "General Jack presence, cast his eyes downward, mulling over his thoughts for what felt like an eternity. Finally, he broke his silence, his voice a commanding whisper that sent shivers down the spine, "Summon Cheng Lu. I wish to see her."
The gravity in his words left no room for ambiguity. Anyone daring to meddle behind Georgia's back, thus endangering the entire operation, would face the direst consequences.
In just ten brief minutes, a soft but insistent knock sounded at the door. Du Yue, acting as the harbinger of this clandestine encounter, quietly let himself into the room, delivering the news that Cheng Lu had been brought as requested. Jack, his expression inscrutable, acknowledged with a terse nod, "You may leave us, Du Yue."
"Of course," Du Yue replied, stepping back and closing the door behind him with a muted click.
Cheng Lu, on the cusp of this enigmatic meeting, hovered uncertainly just beyond the threshold. Her anxiety radiated like a palpable aura as she ventured, her voice trembling, "Mr. Jack, how may I be of service?"
Jack, seated nonchalantly on the sofa, appeared to pay her little mind, engrossed in flipping through a magazine that lay upon his lap. His casual demeanor did little to alleviate the mounting anxiety that gripped Cheng Lu.
Cheng Lu, all too familiar with the horrors that could befall her if she stepped out of line with this man, maintained an outward facade of utmost deference. Underneath her composed exterior, however, she knew that even a single misstep could prove catastrophic.
After what seemed like an eternity, Jack's eyes, shrouded in inscrutability, finally met Cheng Lu's gaze. A sardonic smile curled upon his lips as he casually inquired, "Did you enjoy the mangoes we shared last time?"
The mere mention of mangoes sent a shiver down Cheng Lu's spine, causing her stomach to churn uncomfortably. Summoning every ounce of strength to suppress her discomfort, she forced a smile and replied, "They were exquisite, Mr. Jack."
So exquisite, in fact, that the thought of mangoes would likely haunt her for the rest of her days.
"Indeed, simply exquisite," he concurred with a gentle nod. His tone, however, remained deceptively gentle as he delved further, "Where were you around 8:30 last night?"
Cheng Lu hesitated, her movements cautious, her expression rigid. Summoning her courage, she replied, "I had dinner with you in the private dining room."
"Did you leave the room at any point?" Jack continued, his gaze unrelenting.
"I did go to the restroom twice…" Cheng Lu replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jack's scrutiny deepened as he pressed on, "Are you aware of Georgia's incident at the swimming pool yesterday?"
At the mere mention of Georgia, Cheng Lu's face paled, and she stammered, "Yes, Mr. Jack. Are you suspecting me?"
Jack raised an inquisitive eyebrow, his voice unwavering. "Did you have any involvement in it?"
"No!" Cheng Lu's response was vehement, and she added, "I was with you in the private room the entire time. An Ran can corroborate my alibi. I have no knowledge of Georgia's whereabouts."
Having heard her explanation, Jack remained unperturbed, further probing, "Did you engage in any confrontation with Georgia in the restaurant restroom at noon yesterday?"
Cheng Lu's eyes widened as she struggled to form her response. "I…"
Recollections of her encounter with Georgia surged to the forefront of her mind. She had indeed acted impulsively, venting her frustration by inadvertently spilling water on her.
Jack's expression turned serious as he pressed her for details. "Tell me."
Cheng Lu hesitated no longer. "I didn't mean to. I accidentally spilled water on her."
He continued, his tone unyielding, "And what about yesterday morning? Did you tamper with the ice bucket water as part of the punishment?"
In that moment, Cheng Lu's complexion shifted to an ashen pallor. "Mr. Jack, I just wanted to teach her a lesson. Last time, I ended up hospitalized because of her, and I felt extremely unwell for days. This time, I believed she had entangled you in her mess, so…" Her voice trailed off, laden with guilt and uncertainty.
The room hung heavy with tension as Jack contemplated her responses, each revelation further clouding the enigma surrounding Georgia's predicament. Cheng Lu's past actions, motivated by anger and resentment, now cast a shadow over the present, leaving Jack with the daunting task of unraveling the truth amidst a web of deceit and animosity.