Revenge After Death ( Michael Ford )
Chapter 337

I stared at Steven in shock. He had just confirmed it.

This meant that it was really true. I had won first place in the genius competition that was held at Delmany. This also meant that it was true that I had worked as a tutor for those missing teenagers.

My fingers felt numb. I suddenly found myself feeling unsteady on my feet because of an oncoming headache.

Steven quickly stepped forward to hold me. He started to comfort me, saying, "It doesn't matter. Their disappearance has nothing to do with you. It was just..."

Steven's voice was hoarse. He glanced at Zion nervously and continued, "The genius competition back then was held just for show. The organizers enticed regular families to join through luxurious cash prizes. They targeted families that hoped their children could soar to great heights.

"Stephanie was also a victim in all of this. She was just a commodity the organization used, like a mannequin displayed at a clothing shop. She had no choice but to let herself be placed there as decoration. She did nothing wrong..."

Steven was too eager to explain my innocence to me. His body trembled as he held me.

"Stephie..." Rachel hurried forward and looked at me in panic.

Zion furrowed his brows but remained silent.

What was happening now clearly proved that Michael, Rachel, and Steven were treating me as if I really were Stephanie.

But in Zion's eyes, I was Stephany. After all, how could a person turn into another person just like that?

It didn't make any logical sense.

"Stephie..."

Suddenly, an image flashed in my mind. The voice I heard was familiar yet chilling.

"Do you know what the most sophisticated way to deceive everyone is?" In my memory, Peter circled around me with a smile as he said, "It's with lies. Use lies that can deceive everyone around you, even yourself.

"Have you ever heard of something called the montage of lies? Each and every sentence that comes out of my mouth is a fact. But when I combine them in a particular order, it becomes a lie that suits my needs.

"Stephanie, you must first learn to deceive yourself with your own words.

"Let me demonstrate. I'm going to tell you that the woman I've fallen for is in the arms of another man from a wealthy family. Each part of this sentence is technically true when taken alone, but I've switched the order around.

"The sentence in the correct order should read, 'I've fallen for the woman in the arms of another man from a wealthy family'."

The same words were used, but the meaning was expressed differently through stylistic changes. It seemed to change the meaning completely.

"Tell me, how are you going to make him fall completely in love with you? How are you going to get him to love you to the point where he'll do anything for you, even take his own life? How can you make him trust you and everything you say?"

In my memory, Peter suddenly approached me. It made my headache intensify even further.

It seemed as if Peter was teaching me ways to deceive people. He was giving me pointers on how to plan.

But I didn't know who the target was.

I had no idea who it was that Peter wanted me to deceive. I wondered if he was talking about Steven.

"Remember that you're the only one who can save this world we're living in," Peter said. Then, he patted my shoulder and continued, "To make him believe you, you first have to deceive yourself.

"You're a genius. I believe you can do it. I want you to become his one and only love in this lifetime. I want you to get him to marry you, to make him obey your every word as if it were gospel. From then on, he'l be nothing but a puppet for you to toy with."

My head throbbed painfully. I tried to understand and work out who Peter was talking about.

Finally, I caught a clear glimpse of a photo on the table in my memory.

It was a photo of Michael.

"Stephie, your families have already arranged for you two to get engaged. He'll marry you, but that won't be enough leverage."

Peter looked at the photo on the table and continued, "If you don't do as I say, I'll replace someone to replace you..."

"Stephie?"

"Stephie!"

I suddenly snapped back into reality. I breathed heavily as I looked around.

Steven and Rachel were staring at me anxiously. They were trying to ascertain if I was okay.

I shook my head.