Warming

Chapter 51

+15 BONUS

Lucille looked around and saw a surveillance camera not far away. She said calmly, “Taking the main road would alert him.”

Bailey also noticed the camera and realized there were no cameras in the alleys they had just navigated through. She admired Lucille’s attention to detail and caution.

At this moment, they stood in front of a building with only one resident on the top floor.

Despite the daylight, the room inside was very dark. All the windows had heavy curtains blocking out the light. There was only a single warm yellow lamp and a computer on a desk casting a blue glow.

It was as if vampires who shunned the light lived inside.

A disheveled man lay on the living room couch with one hand behind his head and the other holding a phone. He was scrolling through the news about the Star&Ciel Group’s Starbright Scents perfumes.

The phone’s light reflected on his gaunt face, making his dark circles and bloodshot eyes look even more eerie.

He grinned maliciously and muttered through gritted teeth, “This is what happens when you offend her!”

He didn’t notice the two figures on the computer’s surveillance screen behind him.

Shortly after, there was a knock on the door. The man jumped up from the couch, looking at the door) with a wary expression.

When no one answered, there was another knock.

Then, a woman’s voice, intentionally lowered, called out, “Hello, is anyone home? I’m from the subdistrict office. This area is set for demolition. I’m here to discuss your moving plans.”

Lucille and Bailey waited outside the door. When there was no response, they exchanged a glance and remained silent. They couldn’t break the door down since there were still people living downstairs.

The man inside remained silent until he heard footsteps moving away. Then, he cautiously approached the door and unlocked it.

As soon as he opened it a crack, Lucille shoved the door with force, causing him to stumble backward.

The light from outside flooded the dark living room. The man instinctively raised his hand to shield his eyes.

Lucille stepped inside and was immediately hit with a blast of cool, stale air that carried a sour odor.

She frowned slightly and scanned the living room. There wasn’t much furniture–just a couch, a small table littered with takeout boxes, and a desk where the computer screen displayed the building’s surveillance footage.

Just then, Bailey, who had pretended to be a worker from the subdistrict office and left earlier, came back. As soon as she stepped inside, she wrinkled her nose in disgust. “What’s that smell? It’s so sour

and rancid.”

+15 BONUS

She glanced around and spotted a man in loose shorts and a tank top with disheveled hair. “Larry Zimmer?” she exclaimed in surprise.

Larry looked equally shocked to see Lucille and Bailey at his door.

“So it’s you,” Lucille said, her eyes fixed on Larry with a cold smile.

In an instant, Larry’s face turned even more sinister. He sneered, “Yes, it’s me. What about it?”

Lucille didn’t beat around the bush. She asked directly, “Why did you get those five college students to slander Starbright Scents‘ products?”

Suddenly, Larry burst into eerie laughter.

Bailey felt chills run down her spine upon hearing it, especially since the room was cold and dim. Larry had all the curtains drawn and hadn’t even bothered to turn on the lights during the day.

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