Chapter 29
By the time Cyrus stepped outside.
Simone
was already gone.
As he stared at the empty street corner, a sudden, sharp pain flared up in his chest once more..
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Cyrus dialed Simone’s number. The ringtone echoed in his ear, but no one picked up. Growing more anxious, he immediately called Christian, who answered almost instantly.
Find out where Simone went. She just left Graham’s place,” Cyrus demanded, not even waiting for Christian to speak.
“Don’t worry. Mr. Irwin. I’ll look into it right away,” Christian replied, his own concern evident in his tone.
Cyrus forced himself into the car, clutching his chest as the pain persisted,
The moment Cyrus started the engine, a sharper, more piercing pain shot through his chest, His hand faltered, and the steering wheel jerked to the side. The car veered off course and slammed straight into a nearby tree.
He quickly hit the brakes, managing to avoid a more severe collision.
Just then. Christian called back. “Simone is fine. She’s at a dessert shop. I’ve sent you the location.
Glancing at the message about her location. Cyrus finally calmed down. The pain in his chest cased slightly. “Come pick me up at Irwin Mansion.” he instructed.
Right now. Simone w
was sitting in a d
dessert shop.
It was evening, and there were only a few customers in the shop. Sitting alone by the window, Simone stood our like a beacon.
Around this time, the dessert shop staff were getting ready to clock out Lionel was about to leave when a male coworker in uniform stopped him.
“Hey, Lionel I’ve got another gig to rush to. Can you stick around and wait for that customer over there?” The coworker glanced toward the corner where Simone was seated.
“Sure,” Lionel said with a nod, agreeing without much thought.
“Thanks, Lionell” The coworker dashed out the door, his footsteps fading quickly into the night.
Lionel slipped his dessert shop jacket back on and strolled over to the counter, taking his time.
Just then, Simone finished her dessert and came up to settle her bill.
Lionel fruze for a moment, his gaze locked onto Simone. He recognized her, the girl who had called the cops at the party that night.
Today, she was dressed in a black hoodie and gray sweatpants with her chestnut hair casually tied back. Her casual outfit only highlighted her sinking features. Her flawless skin glowed softly under the lights. Even in such simple attire, her beauty was impossible to ignore.
Simone, however, didn’t notice Lionel was staring at her. She kept her head down, looking a little flustered.
Just as she was about to say something, she glanced up and froze. Her words took a sudden turn as she flashed a bright smile. “Can L, uh, put my také just this once?”
“So, you’ve already forgotten me?” Lionel raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised.
“Have we met beforer” Simone tilted her head, frigning confusion, though a glist of mischief flickered in her eyes.
this on
She knew exactly who he was–Lionel, the only man in Capitalton who could rival the Wilde family in her previous life. She wondered. But why on earth is such a big shot working here?”
Lionel shook his head and didn’t say anything else. He hadn’t expected Simone not to recognize him, but he wasn’t about to go out of his way to tell her he was the guy from the banquet.
After all, getting beaten up wasn’t exactly something to brag about. If he could help it, he’d prefer she never found out they’d met
“Hi, um, I didn’t bring any money with me today.” Simone said hesitantly, her voice soft as she glanced up at Lionel. She looked a little embarrassed “Can I put it on ayt
4.15 PM ₫ d
Chapter 29
Simone was tiny, barely reaching his shoulder–maybe 3 feet 3 inches tall at most. She looked like she was only fifteen or sixteen. Despite her frol appearance, she clearly had guts. After all, she’d dared to cross someone like Ethan.
Liones lips curled into a faint smile. He couldn’t help but find the situation amusing. He had never thought he had been saved by a girl like her
Anyone showing up at a banquet of that caliber had to come from an extraordinary background. She had to be from a wealthy, high–society family.
There was no doubt about it.
In Lionel’s experience, the young heirs and heiresses of high society were usually arrogant and unruly, treating others as if they were beneath them Simone, however, was a refreshing exception–adorable and entirely different from the rest.
“Didn’t bring any money, huh?” Lionel’s tone was casual, as if he had all the time in the world.
“Exactly!” Simone grew flustered, her cheeks turning red. She emptied her pockets in a show of sincerity. “See? They’re all empty. I really didn’t bring any money. I’m not lying to you.”
Simone swore this was her best performance ever–her acting skills all rolled into one moment.
Lionel couldn’t help but laugh when he saw how nervous she was. Then, he suddenly remembered what Simone did at the banquet. She’d claimed not to know him, yet she turned around and secretly called the police.
Lionel’s shoulders trembled as he tried to hold back his laughter. “Don’t worry a
about it. This one’s on me. Now, off you go!
No way. I can’t leave yet I haven’t made the connection I wanted, Simone thought. Lionel was incredibly handsome, and his smile was gentle like a breeze. Simone couldn’t help but feel drawn to it.
By the time she realized it, Simone had been staring at him for quite a while. She said earnestly, “You have such a beautiful smile”
Lionel froze for a moment, slightly taken aback. It was the first time anyone had ever complimented his smile.
“Do you have any paper and a pen h
here!‘”: Simone glanced around but couldn’t find what she was looking for, so she turned to him and asked
Lionel had no idea what she was up to, but he instinctively reached under the counter, pulled out a piece of paper and a pen, and handed them to
her
Simone took the pen and paper, quickly scribbled down a string of numbers, and handed them back to him with a confident smile. “Here’s my WhatsApp number. Add me later, okay? I’ll send you the money.
Lionel accepted the paper with a resigned smile. “Alright”
As she was leaving, Simone turned back and reminded him again, “Don’t forget, okay? You have to add me!
Watching her figure disappear through the door, Lionel couldn’t help
p but chuckle softly. He glanced at the paper in his hand, hesitated for a troment, and then tossed it into the trash can with a faint smile.
Later, after tidying up the shop, Lionel was about to leave when he suddenly stopped. He turned back to the trash can at the counter, fished our the paper, and slipped it into Iris pocket,
Back at has rented apartment, Lionel finished his shower and noticed it was already past ten.
Just as he was about to go to bed, something crossed his mind. Bare–chested, he walked back to the living room and retrieved the paper from his jacket on the sofa,
Maybe it was the way Simone had insisted before leaving, or perhaps it was the spark of hope in her eyes that lingered in his mind. Either way. Lionel found himself searching for Simone’s WhatsApp number and sending her a friend request.
When Simone got home that evening, Cyrus was, as usual, nowhere to be found. She barely gave it a second thought. He was probably pulling another late night at the office. It wasn’t anything new.
Simone numied in early that night, enjoying the rare prace. The next heutate and his “Accept” right away.
morning, a WhatsApp friend
up on her phone. She didn’t
request popped up a
The profile picture showed a guy in a hoodie, his back to the camera. Simone recognized at immediately. It was Lionel
Thinking back to Last night, she quickly transferred him 15 dollars. She thought building connections started with adding him on WhatsApp.
