My boyfriend’s “one true love”—his precious Carol Laurel—stole highly radioactive material from my home, putting me at risk of a prison sentence. When I confronted her, she denied everything, playing innocent like it was second nature. Worse, my boyfriend, Nathan Reed, refused to testify for me, instead doing everything in his power to throw me under the bus. What neither of them realized, though, was that I worked for a top-secret government research facility. And the material they stole? It wasn’t just dangerous—it was lethal. The radioactive material I’d been tasked with transporting was stolen from my apartment overnight. Nathan, my boyfriend, was out of town at the time. The only other person with a key was Carol—his “close family friend,” though everyone knew that was just a convenient label. I didn’t hesitate. This wasn’t a situation I could take lightly. I called the police immediately. When Carol was brought in for questioning, she played the part of the innocent victim perfectly. “Claire,” she said, her voice trembling, “I know you don’t like me, but accusing me of something like this? That’s just cruel.” Nathan burst into the room moments later, his face red with anger. “Claire, are you serious right now?” he snapped. “Carol’s already been through enough because of you. She lost her baby! And now you’re trying to pin this on her?” Because of me? I stared at him, stunned by the sheer audacity of his words. This was the same man I’d caught in bed with Carol just weeks ago. I’d returned early from a work trip to find them lounging together, scrolling through maternity websites and picking out baby items. I had demanded we break up on the spot, but Nathan refused to let me go. As for Carol, she disappeared for two days before reappearing, pale and fragile, as though she’d just been through hell. “Claire,” she’d said softly, tears streaming down her face, “I terminated the pregnancy. Please don’t blame Nathan. It wasn’t his fault—it was mine.” Her “sacrifice” had driven an even deeper wedge between Nathan and me, turning our fractured relationship into an all-out war. But now wasn’t the time to hash out personal grievances. “The missing material,” I told the officers, “is Iridium-192. A highly radioactive source.” The room shifted instantly. The officer in charge straightened, his expression turning grim. “That’s an incredibly dangerous substance,” he said. “We need to locate it immediately.” He turned to the small group in the room, his sharp gaze cutting through the air like a blade. “If anyone has it, hand it over now. Stealing something like this isn’t just theft—it’s a felony. You’re looking at serious prison time.” Carol broke down, crying as though the weight of the world had just fallen on her shoulders. Nathan rushed to her side, his voice trembling with anger. “Carol is a public figure! She’d never risk her reputation by doing something illegal. We have surveillance footage to prove it.” Carol was an up-and-coming social media influencer who made her living as a product promoter. Her career relied heavily on her public image, so Nathan’s confidence made sense. But something about his tone put me on edge. We had a security camera in the hallway outside my apartment, installed for safety reasons. When the footage was reviewed, my stomach dropped. The video only showed me entering and leaving the apartment. There wasn’t a single trace of Carol—or anyone else, for that matter. “This can’t be right,” I said, my voice faltering. But Nathan and Carol exchanged a knowing glance, their expressions smug. That’s when it hit me. This was a setup. They had tampered with the footage. Nathan stepped forward, pointing an accusatory finger at me. His voice was loud, filled with righteous indignation. “It was you,” he declared. “You staged this whole thing. You stole it yourself and are trying to frame Carol!” The same hands that had once held me, that had promised me love and loyalty, were now pointing at me like I was a criminal. I locked eyes with him, my voice calm but firm. “Do you even realize what you’re saying?” If I was charged with theft, I’d be looking at years behind bars. Was his hatred for me really that deep?
“Claire,” Nathan said coldly, “you shouldn’t be dragging Carol into this.” “You made this mess, and you should take responsibility for it.” His gaze shifted to Carol’s stomach, and for a moment, his expression softened into something that almost looked like grief. He was blaming me for her miscarriage. Did he really love children that much? A pang of pain shot through my chest as memories flooded back. We had once had a child, too. Back when he went missing during a mountain hike, I had spent days searching for him. I fell during the search, tumbling down a slope, and woke up covered in blood. I’d lost the baby that day. When I found him, alive and well, he held me and cried his heart out, swearing he would never let me go. Now, it seemed he’d forgotten all of it. The tension in the room was broken by the arrival of someone unexpected—a man with sharp features and gold-rimmed glasses. “Elliot?” I said, startled. He nodded at me. “I’ve brought the detection equipment from the lab.” The lead officer wasted no time. “Good. This is serious. We’ll conduct a full-scale search.” “What does that mean?” Carol asked, confused. The officers ignored her, moving quickly to coordinate the operation. They began sweeping the area, starting with my apartment and extending outward in a radius. Even Carol’s home was included in the search. Nathan pulled me aside, his voice low and accusatory. “What kind of job do you have, Claire? What’s so important about this ‘missing item’ that it warrants this kind of manhunt?” I stared at him, my voice flat. “It’s classified. What was stolen is deadly. If you don’t want to die, I suggest you find it.” Carol scoffed, cutting in. “If it’s so dangerous, wouldn’t stealing it make you even guiltier?” Her words seemed to bolster Nathan’s confidence. “She’s got a point,” he said, his expression hardening. Neither of them believed me. They were so caught up in their lies that they couldn’t see the truth staring them in the face. The search lasted all night, but Elliot eventually packed up his equipment, shaking his head. “There’s no trace of it,” he said. “It’s likely still sealed in its lead container. Let’s hope no one is stupid enough to open it.” The lead officer sighed. “Well, that’s… something, at least.” Carol’s tense expression melted into relief. “See?” she said smugly. “Nothing’s missing. Someone’s just trying to cover their tracks.” Nathan nodded in agreement. “The surveillance footage is clear. There’s only one suspect here.” The room fell silent. Elliot placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “The lab has decided to pursue this. Don’t worry—we’ll clear your name.” I nodded, grateful for his support. But it didn’t matter. As the person responsible for the missing material, I was now the prime suspect. Carol and Nathan were practically glowing with satisfaction when the officers informed me that I’d be taken into custody. “Are you happy now?” I asked, looking directly at them. Carol lifted her chin, her voice dripping with arrogance. “The person who killed my baby is finally getting what she deserves. Of course I’m happy.” “And you?” I said, turning to Nathan. “Does it matter what I think?” he spat. “Did you care about my feelings when you caused Carol’s miscarriage?” His eyes, once filled with love, were now cold and filled with hatred. For a moment, I wavered, remembering the man who had once fought for me, defended me, loved me with everything he had. But that man was gone. I lowered my gaze, steeling myself. If they wanted to ruin me, I wouldn’t go down without a fight. Before handing in my phone, I made a few quick adjustments. Elliot raised an eyebrow. “Making your move?” I smiled. “If I don’t fight back now, I’ll be nothing but a punching bag.” I uploaded a detailed timeline of everything—our relationship, their betrayal, and the missing material—to every major social media platform. If they wanted war, I’d give them one.
Because of the structured format of my post and the explosive nature of the title, the story spread like wildfire online. Meanwhile, Nathan and Carol remained clueless, basking in the thrill of successfully framing me. Before I was taken in, I turned to them with a small smile. “Don’t get too comfortable,” I said calmly. “Remember the way you look right now—so smug, so self-satisfied. Because soon enough, you’ll be paying for this with your blood. And when that time comes, it’ll clear my name.” If they were foolish enough to steal something as dangerous as Iridium-192, I had no doubt their recklessness would catch up to them. They dismissed my words as empty threats, laughing as they walked away hand in hand. But it only took one night for cracks to appear in their confidence. The next morning, Nathan frantically requested to see me, his desperation apparent. I refused every single one of his attempts to meet. Three days later, Elliot paid my bail, and I was released on probation. The moment I stepped out, I could tell the situation had shifted dramatically. Nathan was waiting for me, holding a large bouquet of roses. He rushed toward me, reaching out to grab my arm, but Elliot stepped in, blocking him effortlessly. Elliot turned to me with a questioning look. I smiled softly. “It’s fine. Let me talk to him.” The conversation took place at a nearby coffee shop. Nathan shoved the bouquet into my hands, acting as though the last few days hadn’t happened. There wasn’t even a hint of shame on his face. “Claire,” he said, his tone light and casual, “we’re about to face a few years of long-distance. Let’s use this time to make peace, okay? No hard feelings.” I almost laughed out loud. He was referring to my impending prison sentence as a “long-distance relationship”? I shoved the bouquet back at him. “If you’re not going to speak like a human being, I’m leaving.” Nathan’s smile faltered, and he quickly got to the point. “What you posted online,” he began, lowering his voice, “has caused a lot of problems for Carol.” I pulled out my phone, scrolling through the latest updates. The public backlash against Carol was brutal. The internet was ablaze with stories about the influencer who knowingly became “the other woman” and framed me for a crime. Her reputation had taken a nosedive. She wasn’t just losing followers—she was losing brand deals and sponsors left and right. “She’s not doing so well these days, is she?” I said, my tone mocking. My eyes wandered to the table next to us, where a woman sat wearing a mask and a baseball cap pulled low over her face. Even disguised, I could tell it was Carol. Her hands, resting on her lap, were covered in angry red rashes. I glanced at Nathan. He coughed lightly, a persistent, dry sound that made my stomach twist. My heart sank. Those were early symptoms of radiation poisoning. They must have opened the lead container holding the Iridium-192. Nathan, oblivious to my realization, continued speaking. “I need you to issue a public apology,” he said. “Admit that you were jealous of Carol and me, and that everything you posted was a lie.” I blinked, certain I’d misheard him. “You want me to confess that I’m the one who tried to sabotage your relationship?” Nathan nodded, his tone soothing, as though he were offering me a favor. “It’s just a title, Claire. Who cares what people think? We love each other—that’s what matters.” He leaned forward, lowering his voice further. “Think about it. Once you’re in prison, no one will even remember this after a few years. But Carol? She has to live with public scrutiny every day.” Slap! The sound echoed through the coffee shop as my hand connected with his cheek. Nathan recoiled, stunned, his face turning red with anger. The surrounding patrons turned to stare, some even leaning closer to watch the unfolding drama. “You’re shameless,” I said coldly, my voice cutting through the silence. Nathan finally snapped. “Claire! You’re on probation! If you cause trouble, I’ll call the police right now and have you thrown back in jail!” I didn’t flinch. Instead, I grabbed my coffee and threw it in his face. Hot liquid splattered across his shirt, the strong smell of espresso filling the air. “If you have time to threaten me,” I said, my tone icy, “you should be calling a hospital. You might not live through the winter.” Nathan jumped to his feet, his face contorted with rage. “All you ever do is curse people! What’s wrong with you?” He lunged forward, grabbing for my arm, but before he could touch me, a strong hand shot out and grabbed him by the collar.
“It’s not a curse—it’s a fact.” Elliot, who stood a full head taller than Nathan, leaned in close, his presence radiating quiet menace. Instinctively, Nathan stepped back, his confidence faltering. “You again?” he sneered, his eyes darting between Elliot and me, suspicion flickering in his gaze. “So this is what you’ve been hiding, huh?” he spat. “Always claiming your job is some big secret, disappearing for months at a time—turns out you were shacking up with him the whole time.” His voice rose, laced with bitterness. “How long has this been going on? You’ve probably been sleeping together for years. And now you’re pretending to be some innocent victim in front of Carol? It’s pathetic.” Before I could respond, Elliot’s fist shot out, landing squarely on Nathan’s jaw. The punch sent him sprawling to the ground, clutching his face in shock. Carol, who had been trying to blend in with the crowd, finally broke character. With a gasp, she rushed forward, throwing herself down beside Nathan to help him up. “You can’t just hit someone in broad daylight!” she shrieked, glaring at Elliot. “Aren’t you afraid we’ll call the cops?” I crouched down next to her, my tone light but cutting. “You should worry more about yourself.” I reached out and brushed a lock of hair off her shoulder. A few strands came loose, falling into my palm. “You’re losing hair,” I said flatly, letting the strands drift to the ground. “Might want to get that checked out.” Her face twisted with anger, and she slapped my hand away. “You’re insane. It’s just a cold! Stop trying to make everything into some dramatic performance.” I stood, brushing off my hands. “Suit yourself.” Carol’s hostility didn’t faze me anymore. Without another word, I grabbed Elliot’s arm and led him out of the café, leaving the scene of chaos behind. Snow was falling softly, the crisp air cooling the lingering heat of my frustration. “Sorry about that,” I said, glancing at Elliot. “I didn’t mean for you to get bitten by rabid dogs.” Elliot shoved his hands into his coat pockets, walking in step beside me. “Don’t worry about it.” His voice was calm, steady as always. “They’re already showing symptoms. Are you going to feel sorry for them?” I stopped in my tracks, the question hanging in the frosty air. “Maybe I would have,” I admitted after a pause. Iridium-192 is dangerous. I had warned them repeatedly, but they treated my words as empty threats, too focused on framing me to realize the risk they’d taken. I glanced down at the snow beneath my feet, where the pristine white flakes mixed with the muddy street. The filth reminded me of them—shameless, self-serving, and beyond redemption. I stepped forward, leaving the mess behind. “But now?” I said, my voice cold. “Now, I just hope they get exactly what they deserve.” Later that evening, Carol went live on her social media platform. Her face filled the screen, tears streaming down her cheeks as she crafted the perfect sob story for her audience. “I never tried to steal someone else’s boyfriend,” she said, her voice trembling. “Nathan and I have known each other for years. We’ve been together long before Claire ever came into the picture.” She sniffled, her makeup smudging as she leaned closer to the camera. “And Claire? She’s the one who stole from herself and tried to frame me for it. Thank God there was surveillance footage to prove my innocence.” Her voice cracked as she continued, “She’s about to go to prison soon. Are you really going to believe anything a criminal says?” Carol’s tears were convincing, and her performance was Oscar-worthy. Her followers ate it up. The comments section exploded. “Wait, what? Claire’s a criminal?” “Lies. The cheater and her boyfriend got exposed, and now they’re trying to shift the blame.” “Hold on… what did Claire even accuse her of stealing?” I sipped my tea, scrolling through the comments like a casual observer. I copied the last comment and pasted it into the chat, spamming it a few times to make sure Carol saw it. As the flood of questions grew, Carol finally addressed the elephant in the room. “She said it was some… Iridium-192 or whatever,” she said dismissively, waving her hand like the whole thing was ridiculous. “It’s just some pretentious science term she threw around to scare me.” She rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair. “She even tried to tell me it was dangerous—like it could kill people or something. So dramatic, right?” But her smug attitude faltered as she suddenly covered her mouth, gagging uncontrollably. Among the flurry of comments, someone finally connected the dots. “Wait… Iridium-192? Are you serious? That stuff is deadly!” “Can someone explain? I don’t know what that is.” “You don’t need to know what it is. Just understand this: if you carry that stuff around for even two hours, you’re going to get radiation poisoning. And trust me, it’s not a pretty way to go.” The comment section exploded, the chat scrolling so fast it was almost unreadable. And then, on live stream, it happened. Carol’s eyes suddenly rolled back, and her body went stiff. Without a word, she collapsed, hitting the floor with a sickening thud.
🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295409”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #励志Inspiring #浪漫Romance #校园School #魔幻Magic #重生Reborn #惊悚Thriller
Leave a Reply