Chapter 173
Then, Shane suggested, “Let’s arrange a time after the New Year. I’ll call a property agent, and we can check out some of the properties in Nashwark. The property prices are pretty decent
now.”
“Don’t waste your money. I’m fine living here,” Lucy replied.
He smiled and said, “It’s long overdue. I’ve already submitted a request with the company to transfer me back to Slate City. I’ll be here for the next few years.”
Her face lit up with surprise. “Really? Are you not going back to Amaran?”
Lucy felt so energized that she swore she could climb ten flights of stairs without stopping.
Valeria was happy too. Just a few days ago, she had been worrying that if she moved back to Cranary with Selena to be close to Margaret, Lucy would be left here all alone. They had been living like family for the past three years.
Now, upon hearing that Shane was staying, the weight on her heart lifted.
“That’s great!” Valeria commented. “I actually bought some beef ribs and baked beans. We
can have barbecue beef ribs with baked beans tomorrow.”
Selena clapped her hands.
Everyone was happy. “Yay! We’re having barbecue beef ribs tomorrow!”
Walking behind, Valeria reached out and playfully tapped Selena’s nose. “And we’ll make garlic -pepper shrimp and coleslaw!”
The hallway was quiet except for their laughter.
Just then, there was another familiar sound–the flick of a lighter, followed by the grinding of its wheel.
Valeria froze. The smile on her face slowly faded, like some kind of instinctive reaction. She looked
- up. Heavy footsteps echoed down the stairs, one step at a time.
The sound of leather soles dragging across the floor rang out. His steps matched the dark weight of his mood.
Sebastian emerged from the shadows, his expression as cold as the winter night outside. He wore an overcoat over a matching sweater, his tall frame filling the narrow space.
One of his hands was tucked into his coat pocket. His other hand was holding a cigarette that he had only finished smoking halfway.
Chapter 173
2/2
The stairwell light had flicked on when they came up, flooding the space in stark brightness.
Lucy noticed someone coming down and stepped aside with a polite smile. She couldn’t see clearly, but she could make out the tall silhouette of a man.
Shane, carrying Selena in one arm and a shopping bag in the other, took two steps at a time- and right into Sebastian’s path.
Sebastian’s gaze was sharp as he gave Shane a once–over. His lips curled in something that wasn’t quite a smile.
Shane instinctively looked back at him and was unsettled by the flicker of something strange in Sebastian’s eyes.
This was an older part of the Uptown District, and the neighborhood was full of retirees. It wasn’t the kind of place to run into men like Sebastian, plus he didn’t look like he belonged at
all.
When Sebastian walked past Valeria, she instinctively shifted to the side.
The hallway was wide enough for them to walk shoulder to shoulder, but she angled away and lowered her gaze.
Valeria didn’t dare to look at him as her chest tightened. She hadn’t expected to see him here.
This was already the fourth floor, which meant Sebastian had come down from the sixth floor. It seemed he was there to look for her.
Chapter 174
1/2
Chapter 174
