The line went quiet. The faint static only made the silence teel heavier. Then after a long pause, Eugene’s voice came through, daep and sup
A chill shot down Lorraine’s spine, locking her muscles rigid. Her grip tightened on the phone, her palms growing damp
“Where are you?” he asked.
“I’m at…” Lorraine’s thoughts scattered as she glanced around.
An icy wind sliced through her, jolting her back to her senses, “What was thinking? Why tell him anything at all?‘ she thought, frustrated.
She closed her eyes briefly and stood perfectly still, refusing to answer
Eugene waited. When no reply came, the line went dead.
The dial tone pulsed in her ear, making her nerves worse. She stood in the middle of the shopping district, snow falling heavily around her. Her briath formed pale clouds in the freezing air. If she didn’t move soon, she’d freeze right along with the scenery.
The staff of Silverlake Villa, Eugene’s private estate, stood clustered by the entrance, bowing in practiced unison. “Safe travels, sir,” they chimed together. Eugene emerged with his entourage, his imposing frame accentuated by the dark gray matte suit that draped perfectly across his broad shoulders. His hair, swept back with precision, complemented the effortless authority in his every movement. His gaze alone carried enough weight to make subordinates hold their breath.
He slid into the Bentley’s rear seat, his sharp eyes already locked onto his assistant, Isaac Lambert “Find her exact location within five minutes,” he commanded.
Lorraine couldn’t face returning to the Shaw residence. The Moore residence was equally impossible. With no alternatives, she drifted into a nearby shopping center to escape the biting cold;
The year–end crowds filled the mall with cheerful noise and holiday’spirit. It only made Lorraine’s disheveled appearance and hollow expression seem all the more out of place.
She hadn’t eaten since yesterday, and her empty stomach was growling.
The drafty mall entrance offered no refuge, the icy wind cutting through her thin clothes. The sideways glances from passing shoppers made her feel even more miserable.
Finally, she retreated to the emergency stairwell, hugging her knees to her chest for warmth. But the cold concrete walls seemed to suck the heat right out of her. Her body felt numb, though that was nothing compared to the hollow ache in her chest.
In the parked Bentley, Eugene’s knuckles whitened as he gripped the iPad.
The security footage showed her stumbling into the mall, then later huddled in the stairwell, arms wrapped around her stomach. The grainy image captured her perfectly–trembling like an abandoned puppy, weak with hunger and cold.
The car’s silence became oppressive. Isaac wiped his damp palms on his trousers before suggesting tentatively, “Mr. Moore, perhaps we could arrange for Ms. Shaw to… find somewhere warmer? Maybe get her some proper clothes?”
The huge mall was owned by the Moore family. For Eugene, even burning the whole place down to keep Lorraine warm would have been nothing more
די ד
Chapter 4 S
3 tulal decision.
Yet Eugene’s order was anything but expected. “Have the mall close immediately,” Eugena said, his voice devoid of emotion as
At once, Mr. Moore,” Isaac responded, already reaching for his phone as he exited the Bentley.
Closing early would mean a steep drop in revenue–yet no one dared to dely Eugene’s orders.
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