Chapter 536


    The moment | nced up, | saw Mason striding out of the apartmentplex. Thankfully engrossed in his phone, he did not


    notice me slipping out from the narrow space between the buildings.


    My reflexes kicked in. | spun around and retraced my steps, slipping back into the alley that led to the market''s back entrance.


    But it was toote to escape the way | hade. He was only a few strides away. If he spotted me, he would definitely


    recognize me.


    Back in high school, he had a crush on me that bordered on obsession, always cornering me whenever he could. It only stopped


    after my dad gave him a verbalshing and got the Wood family involved. But Mason was the type to hold a grudge.


    If it hadn''t been for my dad''s old camaraderie with Old Mr. Wood, Mason wouldn''t have let things lie.


    If he recognized me now, the fallout would be... interesting, to say the least. Considering he had somehow mixed Jesper into


    this, | needed to figure out what their game was.


    With no other choice, | ducked back into the market hall and hid behind a couple picking out fish, stealing nces behind me.


    Mason, bag in hand, was heading out, but he seemed to sense something and made for the market hall.


    My heart hammered as | pretended to inspect the fish, keeping him in my peripheral vision.


    He paused at the entrance of the hall, scanning the interior with a cold gaze. | quickly turned away, feigning interest in the


    shellfish behind me.


    My heart was pounding in my chest.


    Before long, a woman who had pulled me aside earlier sidled up to me, smirking mischievously. "He''s gone!"


    Instinctively, | nced back at the entrance. Without a doubt, Mason was nowhere in sight.


    The woman teased in a snide tone, "Your man?"This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    Internally, | rolled my eyes. Was she kidding? Him, my man? But it wasn''t worth exining; | didn’t want to stir up trouble.


    | offered an awkward smile and walked away quickly.


    Sure enough, Mason was almost out of the alley.


    | hesitated, the woman behind me rattling on, "These days, society''s gone to the dogs, making women turn into detectives! Why


    even bother with marriage? Marriage is a bloody grave!"


    Someone egged her on, "You''ve got a point. Once bitten, twice shy!"


    | was at a loss for words.


    As Mason turned the corner out of the alley, | started to follow.


    But | was on edge, dreading the possibility of him doubling back. If he did, I''d be caught for sure.


    Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my hand, nearly making me drop it. It was Hannah. | answered quickly.


    Her urgent voice cut through, "Allie, go back, don''te out!"


    | froze, then quickly looked towards the alley''s mouth. "Hurry back!" she added.


    Realizing the gravity of the situation, | turned and retreated.


    Hannah had my location. Something wasn''t right outside.


    | hesitated, considering going through the market, but dismissed the thought. Instead, | chose to weave back through the narrow


    space between the buildings. The woman had said that once past thisplex, | could reach another street. | had to leave


    immediately.


    Entering theplex, | noticed its considerable size, clearly an older development, but well-kept.


    Observing the residents, it was a mixed bag. Typically, those living near markets were a diverse lot, many of them vendors or


    using the space for storage.


    As | inquired about an exit, | realized finding Mason''s hideout here would be quite a challenge.


    Once | emerged, | discovered | w


    quite far from here trked?


    Fleaseiiedthe original content atChapter


    No wonder many chose this shortcut to the main street.


    As | deliberated my next move, a car


    screeched to a halt beside re. thy


    prise; @ad Hannah shouting,


    et in!" Please read the original


    content at .


    | yanked the door open and jumped inside.


    "What happened just now?" | buckled up and asked.


    "Mason was waiting at the alley''s


    mouth like a spider in segeeom


    uld yewalkeasight into his trap,"


    nnah exined, elerating away


    from the street. Please read the


    original content at .


    "He''s onto us," | mused, "very vignt."


    "You know him?" Hannah nced at me.


    "He''s the grandson of the Wood Manor."


    "What''s his name?" she pressed.


    "Mason Wood!"


    Hannah shook her head, "That doesn''t make sense."