My Sister's Deadly Scam - Chapter 6: Chapter 6

The joyful glow on my parents' faces disappeared in an instant. Julia, who had been basking in pride just moments ago, now looked like she'd seen a ghost.
The neighbors' laughter died abruptly, replaced by uneasy silence as they exchanged nervous glances, unsure what was happening.
Julia hesitated for what felt like forever before taking a shaky step forward. Her voice trembled as she asked, "Are you really Mr. Kramer's bodyguards? What do you want with me? Did he... send a thank-you gift, or—?"
Her words trailed off as the bodyguard's impatient glare made her voice falter. The panic in her eyes betrayed her fake confidence.
The bodyguard smirked like he'd just heard the dumbest joke and said coldly, "A thank-you gift? Oh, you'll get your 'thank-you.' I heard Miss Julia just happened to be at the construction site that day, delivering food to her father when the Kramer heir got hurt. How convenient. Mr. Kramer's been interrogating everyone there for three days. Now, we're here to take her in so she can settle the score with him."
He leaned in, his voice sharp and mocking. "After he's done 'thanking' her, who knows if she'll come back in one piece? Pulling a stunt like this against the Kramers—she must have a death wish. Don't worry, we'll be happy to grant it."
"Hand her over now, or you'll face Mr. Kramer's wrath. And trust me—you don't want to see how ugly that gets."
My parents turned pale as his words sank in. My mother snapped, voice rising with defiance, "What kind of nonsense is this? My daughter saved the Kramer heir! Mr. Kramer should be showering her with gratitude! Who are you really? Some rival trying to stir up trouble?"
My father crossed his arms. "You can't just barge in here making wild accusations! If you don't explain yourselves, I'm calling the police!"
He pointed at Julia's phone. "Mr. Kramer's been in direct contact with her—he even sent expensive supplements as thanks! Do you even know who you're messing with? Get out before he shows up himself!"
The neighbors, emboldened, chimed in.
"That's right!" one shouted. "You've got some nerve pulling this in broad daylight! Do you know who the Kramers are? You're digging your own grave!"
"Julia's their savior—the whole town knows it! Her house is full of thank-you banners!" another yelled. "Accuse her of this? We'll testify against you for defamation!"
"We won't let you touch her!" someone declared, and the crowd roared in agreement.
The neighbors swarmed closer, suddenly eager to curry favor, begging my parents to put in a good word for them with Mr. Kramer.
Buoyed by the support, my parents ignored the bodyguards completely, nodding proudly and promising rewards once Julia's connection to the Kramers made them rich.
Meanwhile, Julia cowered behind them, face white, lips pressed shut.
The lead bodyguard had had enough. His voice boomed as he snarled, "I've never seen such delusional idiots! Still dreaming of gratitude? Wake up! Your little scheme backfired—you think you can hurt the Kramer heir and walk away?"
He scoffed in disgust. "You really thought those supplements were gifts? Did you even check what's inside? Or are you really this stupid?"
The air turned heavy as he barked, "Hand her over now. Mr. Kramer's waiting, and he doesn't like delays."
Panic flashed across my parents' faces. My mother stammered, "W-what do you mean about the supplements? What's wrong with them?"
Without waiting, she rushed inside and returned with the box Albert had sent. My father tore it open—hands shaking.
Inside wasn't medicine.
It was a high-tech eavesdropping device.
Their faces went gray. The neighbors, sensing disaster, started backing away, muttering nervously.
In the silence, I let out a bitter laugh.
"I told you the Kramers aren't fools," I said, staring at my parents. "You played a dangerous game, and now it's over. They only want Julia. Hand her over and pray that's the end of it. Or keep pushing—and watch Mr. Kramer burn everything you have to the ground."