Chapter 11
Lucius frowned. “Is this some kind of supernatural phenomenon? Or a rip in time?”
“Before you went to sleep last night, did anything strange happen?” Valerie asked.
He pondered for a moment. “If I had to name something, I felt like I was zapped by electricity in my dream.”
Lucius met her gaze. “Do you think that’s why I ended up here?”
Both of them sat on the bed in silence, at a loss for words.
Lucius was still in his loungewear. He wanted to leave, but he had no choice but to borrow her phone to call Keane for help.
Keane arrived an hour later with a bag of clothes, shoes, and other essentials and knocked on Valerie’s door. He walked in to find Lucius sitting in the living room in pajamas, looking every bit like the man of the house. “Mr. White, why are you…”
Weren’t these two filing for divorce at the courthouse yesterday? Yet, after just one night, they were already sharing a bed.
Lucius took the bag from Keane and went straight into the bathroom. Keane shifted his questioning gaze to Valerie, who was already dressed.
Valerie simply pointed at the bathroom. “Ask him.”
Five minutes later, the three of them left together.
“Don’t tell anyone about what happened last night,” Lucius warned Valerie in a low voice.
Valerie habitually slipped on her mask. “As long as you keep your mouth shut, I promise that
no one will ever find out.”
Keane was so lost. He could tell that he’d missed something big, but he didn’t dare to ask.
Parked at the gate of the complex was none other than Lucius’ luxury car. After opening the door for him, Keane looked at Valerie.
She beat him to it. “Don’t ask. If you must know, I get carsick very easily.” With that, she raised her hand, flagged down a cab, and got in before Lucius and Keane.
Pointing at the cab that was speeding away, Keane asked, “Didn’t she just say she gets carsick?
“The notice is out, Val. The old teaching building will be relocated and renovated next month.
Your lab will need a new location,” said Philip Sears, a plump man in his 60s, who was the dean of Arcton University.
He looked at Valerie with a kind smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you pick the perfect spot before
the demolition.”
Valerie twirled a pen between her fingers. “If you’re thinking of that new building that was completed last year, I’ll have to say no.”
Philip frowned. “What’s wrong with it? It has advanced equipment, plenty of space, and we can add a cold storage room for you.”
“I don’t like crowded places. Don’t worry about the new location. I’ve already found a solution. “Valerie stopped twirling her pen and casually set a small box on the desk. “Here’s the gift I owed you.”
His eyes lit up, and he hurriedly took the lid off. Inside lay three thumb-sized black pills, releasing a rich herbal scent.
Valerie plucked a large cherry from the fruit platter, wiped it clean, and popped it into her mouth. “You never listen to me, old man. You’ve been smoking, drinking, and staying up late again, haven’t you?
“Your blood pressure is unstable, and your heart’s at risk of sudden failure. Your liver and kidneys aren’t in great shape, either.
“Lay off greasy food-your fatty liver has progressed to at least a moderate stage now. These three pills could save your life in an emergency.”
After eating a few more cherries, she murmured, “Don’t drive this week. Go straight home after work, stay away from dark alleys, and if you’re free this weekend, drop by a church to make an offering.”
Philip fought to keep his excitement in check. “Did your father have you bring these pills?”
