Chapter 38
Valerie’s drowsiness vanished instantly. She tossed the badge and note into the trash can, slung her bag over her shoulder, and headed to the back gate.
A flashy Ferrari was parked there, and a tall, strikingly handsome man dressed in a fashionable suit leaned casually against it.
A royal emerald pendant with crystal–glass clarity hung around his neck. His wrist was adorned with a string of rosary beads made of lightning–struck wood, and an emerald archer’s ring carved with dragon motifs rested on his thumb.
Everything about him–from head to toe, inside and out–screamed wealth.
When he saw Valerie, he raised his arm and waved. “Val! Over here.”
Valerie glanced at him, put on a face mask, and turned to leave as if they’d never met. The man called after her, “Magnus sent me here for you.”
That stopped her short after walking a distance away. Turning back, she asked, “Where is he?”
He opened the passenger door and gestured invitingly. “Get in, and we’ll talk.”
“I drove here.”
“That beat–up car of yours should’ve been scrapped years ago. Aren’t you embarrassed, driving around in that?”
Grabbing her by the shoulder, he shoved her into the passenger seat. “Relax. I cleared the place, so no one’s snapping us for rumors.”
It was only now that she noticed the usually busy back gate was deserted, with not a soul in sight. “It’s been some time since we met, but you’re still as flashy as ever, Kieran.”
She’d never gotten used to his dramatic entrances. With a face that drew attention on its own, he insisted on pairing it with luxury cars and lavish outfits. It was as if he was screaming to the
world to look at him.
Unbothered by her sarcasm, Kieran slammed on the gas pedal and sped off.
After a stretch of silence, he tossed her a bottle of water. “I’ll take you somewhere interesting.
11
“Where?” she asked, catching the bottle.
“You’ll see when we get there,” he said mysteriously. “By the way, have you been livestreaming on LimeTV lately?”
Chapter 38
2/2
She twisted the cap off her bottle and took a sip. “Some of the rules in the mystic arts world are such a pain. I have to pull in heads first of every month.”
Kieran laughed. “Everyone in this field eats off fate’s table, so it’s only fair that we pay a little respect to the heavens on the first.”
“And how exactly do you know that I’ve been livestreaming?” When she streamed live, she always covered her face and masked her voice, so how had he recognized her?
“Out of everyone I know in the business, you’re the only one who doesn’t fake it. You’re blunt, sharp, and cut right to the point.
“Also, someone recorded your livestream. The woman you read fortunes for posted an update
on her page.
“Not only is her boyfriend a two–timing jerk, but he was also deep into underground gambling, drowning in debt, and even borrowed 300 thousand dollars from her.
“They’ve broken up now, and she’s pressing charges.”
After summarizing the follow–up from the livestream, Kieran’s tone shifted. “You have unique astrological houses, Val. Spilling heaven’s secrets isn’t safe, so once a month is enough. Don’t get dragged too deep into other people’s karma.
“Magnus says his biggest regret was pushing you into physiognomy. Digging too deep weighs too much on your fortune.”
Valerie nodded. “I know where the lines are.”
Then, as if a thought had struck her mind, she added, “You haven’t told me where Magnus is.‘
Kieran spread his hands. “He moves like the wind, so I don’t know where he is either.”
Seeing her expression darken, he quickly said, “Though I can’t find him, he can locate me. He knows your temper and reckons you probably don’t want to see him, so he sent me to deliver a message.”
Chapter 39
Chapter 39