Chapter 52
“Lenore.” Wayne, riding shotgun, twisted to eye the girl who’d slipped into the back, already buried in her phone. “You’re really going to race Carlos?” They’d all caught wind of it.
Lenore, tapping away, didn’t bother to look up. “I’m a bit strapped for cash these days,” she said, her tone easy and a bit lethargic.
Her bank account was nearly tapped out. She couldn’t even afford Bonnie’s college tuition and dance lessons. With cash being dangled in front of her, it would have been plain foolish not to grab it.
Wayne’s mouth twitched. “So you’re not even thinking about losing?”
Lenore lifted her eyes slightly, a confident smirk tugging at her lips. “I’m not going down.” Her self–assurance was innate, and she carried herself with the calm of someone who had seen it all. She exuded a wild, unshakeable swagger.
His phone buzzed, and Wayne answered it, his voice hushed.
From where Silas sat, Lenore’s phone had one of those screen protectors that keep prying eyes out of your business. All he could see were her tender fingers moving fast across the keys, texting away.
She had this icy vibe going on, and it looked like she was in a seriously bad mood.
Silas redirected his gaze, his voice deep as he said, “You don’t have to race.”
Ivan had seen Lenore handle a car, yet he still challenged her to a race and wagered half his fortune, which meant they had to be confident in winning.
He wasn’t doubting Lenore; he was wary of Carlos and his crew playing dirty. After all, it was easier to dodge a punch than a knife in the back.
Lenore glanced up from her phone, inhaling the sandalwood scent in the car, her bright eyes clear and focused. “I need money!”
“Silas.” Wayne suddenly turned and passed his phone to Silas, his expression grave.
Silas took it, pressed it to his ear, and listened to the report on the other end without shielding Lenore. His voice was icy as he replied, “Then add another 150 million dollars.”
Once he ended the call, Wayne reclaimed his phone with his brow furrowed. “Not even 650 million will get us a job with Xtreme. Is Xtreme’s comeback really just to patrol and warn everyone?”
Silas’s face was set, and he said indifferently, “Then keep raising the price until Xtreme bites.”
Listening in on their conversation, Lenore didn’t lift her head, but her expression shifted subtly. Silas was splashing cash on Xtreme, just to get them to probe into Sonic. She was curious about what he was after with Sonic.
Lenore’s eyes flickered, and she shot a message to Siren on her phone.
Ken had returned to his post yesterday afternoon, and he was now at home after work. Seeing Lenore, he scanned her from head to toe, asking worriedly, “Did the Duncan family mess with you?”
Lenore shook her head, pocketed her phone, and left Silas and the others waiting downstairs as she followed Ken upstairs. “Has she been taking the meds on schedule?”
Ken nodded. “It’s just that she has been sleeping more and more these days. She woke up for only an hour yesterday and stayed asleep until now. I’m a bit worried, so I wanted you to come and take a look.”
“Any other symptoms?” Lenore inquired.
“None.” Ken opened the door and let Lenore in.
The room was pitch dark with the curtains drawn tight. Ken flipped on a small lamp by the door, and there was Cheryl, asleep in bed, clutching a photo frame of her daughter even in her slumber.
After examining her, Lenore said, “Her nervous system is suppressed; it’s self–imposed, a mental block.” She pulled a black cloth bag from her backpack and unfurled it, revealing a neat array of medical instruments in various sizes.
Lenore, focused and armed with her instruments, began treating Cheryl. Thirty minutes later, she packed up and handed Ken a new prescription.
1/2
Extra Check–in
Vouchers
Ad–Free Reading
Exclusive Profile
Badge
12:04 PM
Chapter 52
“Take her out for walks once in a while.”
Downstairs, Wayne was killing time with a game when he heard footsteps on the stairs. Looking up, he saw it was Lenore and rushed over, abandoning his game, his charming eyes twinkling. “Lenore, you know medicine, too?”
They had overheard Lenore’s conversation with Ken before she went upstairs.
Silas also glanced over, curiosity burning in his deep–set eyes.
Lenore paused, and she offered a casual smile, saying nonchalantly, Sure, I’ve got a few medical tricks up my sleeve.”
Wayne was taken aback; he hadn’t figured her out for the medical type. He had to admit, he’d underestimated this stunning beauty who fixed cars in a small town from the start.
2/2
