Chapter 1888


    Estelle leaned her cheek on her hand, sighing, "Grandpa''s so worried I''ll catch a chill, he keeps the


    heating cranked up too high at home. It''s stuffy. Outside is way morefortable."


    After chatting a bit longer, Estelle told Jonathan that her grandfather wanted to see her and ended the


    call.


    Jonathan set his phone down and headed for a shower. As he was undressing, something crossed his


    mind. He picked up his phone again to check the weather in C City. Sure enough, it was raining there.


    His lips curved into a half-smile as he turned off the phone and made his way to the bathroom.


    The next day.


    Estelle stepped out of Velocity Vista Airport at nine in the morning. The sun was a brilliant orb in the


    sky, and as she left the airport, the humid air enveloped her.


    The clear skies were a stark contrast to the dreary cold of C City.


    Estelle adjusted the brim of her hat and walked at an unhurried pace toward the exit.


    Taxis were lined up along the curb. She approached one and asked the driver how much it would be to


    Citadel.


    The driver waved her off, "Too far, I can''t go."


    Estelle tried another driver, who spoke her mother tongue but also refused, "No, it''s too far.."


    She nodded and continued her search for another ride.


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    Curiosity and a hint of warning colored the taxi driver''s tone as he leaned out, "Don''t go there."


    "Thanks.." Estelle replied, moving on.


    Across the street, a convertible SUV caught her eye. Three men inside were watching her, their smiles


    sinister.


    Estelle tried two more taxis, but even when she offered to double the fare, the drivers wouldn''t take her.


    After being turned down by a fourth driver, the SUV screeched to a halt in front of her, apanied by


    a sharp whistle.


    The driver, a man with a buzz cut and sunsses, looked at Estelle and asked, "Miss, we''re heading to


    Citadel too. Need a lift?"


    Estelle looked at the other two men in the car—one local and one foreigner. The white guy winked


    flirtatiously at her, gesturing for her to join them.


    Estelle opened the passenger door and got in, "Thanks, I''ll pay you for the ride."


    "My pleasure." The man chuckled with a glint of excitement in his eyes as he stepped on the gas, and


    the SUV sped off.


    The taxi drivers who had refused Estelle watched helplessly as she drove away with the strangers,


    their eyes filled with a blend of resignation and sympathy.


    The car left the city behind, the road stretching across the vast expanse. The surroundingnd grew


    deste, with distant mountains rolling endlessly into the horizon.


    The burly white man in the back leaned forward with a grin, "Whereabouts you from, Miss?"


    "C Country," Estelle replied.


    "Oh." He expressed his admiration, "Thedies from C Country sure have vor."


    The other menughed raucously with clear ill intent.


    Estelle''s expression remained calm as she kept her gaze fixed ahead.


    Suddenly, the white man reached forward and plucked a strand of her hair, bringing it to his nose and


    inhaling deeply as if intoxicated, "Miss, you smell like white roses after the rain. Utterly enchanting."


    Estelle shot a cold nce over her shoulder, "Let go."