Kneeling for a Second 215

Chapter 215 

Shane had bought a car before the New Year, but paperwork was still queued up for processing after work resumed. Since he couldn’t drive Valeria himself, he had no choice but to tell her to send a message once she arrived. 

Valeria hailed a ride. 

The longest route to Verdanci District Hospital was 35 miles, while the shortest was 29. Valeria waited for quite a while before someone finally accepted the order. The driver glanced at her and asked her to cover the return fare for the empty ride. 

Valeria nodded in agreement. 

After driving just about a mile, the driver suddenly demanded extra money. He said that with Slate City’s cold wave making the nights freeze so badly, hardly any drivers were willing to take long trips. 

Valeria agreed again. All she wanted now was to get back quickly. 

The driver was surprised that she was so easygoing, and started to think that he hadn’t asked for enough. Seeing her anxious face, he pushed further, saying once that his wife and kids were waiting at home, and the next time that it was too far, using it as an excuse to hike the price up again. 

Valeria gritted her teeth. “Stop the car!” 

She desperately wanted to hurry back and would have paid almost anything, but after just two miles, before they even left the south side of the city, the price had already been hiked three times. 

She got out and stood on the windy street. 

The surroundings were familiar. Festive lights still hung from the trees lining the wide road, and the trace of the holiday season still lingered in the air. Cars passed occasionally. 

Valeria stared at the ride–hailing app, but no one had picked up her order. She squatted down and hugged herself through her coat. 

Just then, a black SUV slowly pulled up beside her. 

Valeria instinctively thought that her car had arrived. She sprang to her feet and nearly lost her balance from low blood sugar. 

Her face was pale as she steadied herself with the car door. Then, she pulled it open and got in. 

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Chapter 215 

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She gave her name, but the moment she shut the door, a familiar masculine fragrance rushed over her, mixed with the scent of leather. 

She froze. 

From this angle, she could see the man’s profile. Valeria instinctively tried to open the door and get out, but it was locked. 

The man in the driver’s seat asked, “Where to?” 

His tone was cold, as if he were just a driver who was a complete stranger. 

Valeria paused for a moment, but she glanced at the time. 

“Verdanci District.” It was just a small county that bordered Slate City and Broburgh City. 

As she said that, she looked at Sebastian. From his detached, impassive expression, she realized that he probably didn’t remember that place at all. It was Jane’s home. 

It was natural he wouldn’t. So many years had passed, so who would? 

She said, “I’ll drive myself. I have a license. Just let me borrow this car tonight.” 

“I’m afraid you’ll scratch it up.” Sebastian’s voice was flat and almost emotionless. “I’ve modified this car. I don’t lend it out.” 

Valeria had never owned a car herself, but she knew the brand. It was a standard Ford SUV that was extremely low–profile by the Grant family’s standards. Even if she did scratch it, she could afford the repairs. 

Sebastian looked at her face and noticed the dried tear streaks on her cheeks. 

He pressed the accelerator, and the car glided forward. He gripped the steering wheel and finally said slowly, “This car’s been modified. The back seats fold into a small bed. It fits two people to sleep.” 

“It’s both shock–absorbent and durable.” His low, magnetic voice said all of that with a lazy calmness. 

Valeria pretended not to hear him and did not reply. 

Chapter 216