Hera took a deep breath in front of theputer before clicking play on the recording.
The recording started with statics, and Hera furrowed her brows. Just then, Bernard walked in, and she teased, "Vulcan, your
software isn't very reliable."
"It's not working?" Bernard walked over.
Hera turned up the volume, but it was still just static.
"Lettake a look." Bernard leaned over to make sadjustments before replaying the recording.
The static stopped a minute later, and Queenie's voice was heard. "Robin, stick to the plan. She goes to the countryside every
month and always passes through Jedburgh Highway. There's a winding section there that's known for accidents. That's where
you'll strike.
"Make it look like an accident. The police won't be able to tell it was staged."
Hera's expression darkened as she dug her nails into her palm, though she didn't notice the pain.
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Seeing this, Bernard gently pried her fingers open. As his fingers were about to interlace with hers, Hera glanced at him and
withdrew her hand.
The recording continued.
"Didn't Ms. Killian say she wasn't going to do it anymore?" Robin asked.
"Ms. Killian? As in Ms. Aurora Killian?" A third voice joined in. It was a woman's voice, and she sounded like she was having a cold.
Hera immediately grabbed the mouse and rewound the recording to listen again. The voice sounded familiar, but Hera couldn't
recall where she had heard it before.
The recording continued.
Queenie said, "Yes, she's the one | mentioned before. Aury discussed how to scare Daphne with her."
The woman hummed. "Alright, proceed with her plan. But be swift."
Queenie said, "Let's use a truck instead."
Robin gasped. "It could be fatal if this goes wrong!"
Queenie sighed. "Don't worry. I'll arrange everything, including the vehicle. You just need to drive. You won't be held responsible
even if someone dies. The Killians will protect you."
Robin seemed hesitant and didn't speak. Just then, the woman coughed again. Judging by the cough, Hera deduced that it was a
cold coupled with sthroat inflammation.
The rest of the recording was similar to what was heard earlier.
Queenie sighed again. "I'll give you 500 grand. Follow my instructions, and I'll ensure your wife and daughter are taken care of no
matter the oue. The Killians will arrange for a doctor to treat your wife and enroll your daughter in Cavenridge International
Academy. Does that put your mind at ease?"
Robin exclaimed, "Alright! Just make sure you keep your end of the deal."
The recording ended there. The woman barely spoke, so Hera kept replaying her parts. But since the woman barely spoke and had
a cold, Hera couldn't identify who it was.
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She turned to ask Bernard if he recognized the voice, only to find him merely inches away from her. They were so close that her
lips brushed against his cheek. Hera froze.
Bernard froze too, his face turning bright red. He locked eyes with Hera, and their breaths mixed.
Hera's eyes darted away, and she turned back. "Do you recognize who it is?"
Bernard smiled at her flustered state before saying with uncertainty, "Was it Linda?"
Linda Atkins was Rhett's wife.
"Linda?" Hera murmured. She knew who Linda was, but she sounded different from the recording.
Bernard said, "She doesn't usually sound like that. Though it's possible she trained her vocals."
He wasn't a stranger to changing his voice and would often do it at Astral Nova to hide his identity.
Hera knew where he was getting at. She had tried it before too. But Linda sounded nothing like the recording. Hera suddenly
thought of something. "Has Linda ever had surgery on her vocal cords?"