Chapter 35

Lily's fingers clenched violently.

She stared at the familiar face before her, nails digging deep into her palms.

"Lily, long time no see." Felix grinned brightly, crow's feet forming at the corners of his eyes.

Her lips curved mechanically. "Felix? What are you doing here?"

"Mr. Roland's car had a minor issue." Felix rubbed his hands together. "It's been six or seven years, hasn't it? If you hadn't swapped shifts with me back then, you wouldn't have met Mr. Roland..."

Lily's smile froze.

She glanced down at her high heels. The dark blue satin shimmered coldly under sunlight, the scattered diamonds like sharp blades stabbing her eyes.

"Beautiful shoes." Felix took a step closer. "Like stars in the night sky."

Adrian's gaze suddenly sharpened.

He stared at those shoes, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"Adrian?" Lily clutched his arm, nails nearly piercing his suit. "Shall we go inside?"

Adrian didn't move.

"Are you familiar with Land Rover's braking system?" he asked abruptly.

Felix's eyes lit up. "Of course! I've repaired at least eighty Land Rovers—"

"What about a totaled, wrecked one?"

Lily's breath hitched.

She watched Felix thump his chest confidently. "I can diagnose any wreck! Just call me anytime, Mr. Roland."

Adrian handed him a business card. "Wait for my message."

Cold sweat trickled down Lily's spine.

She suddenly bent over, clutching her ankle. "These shoes... they're killing me."

Adrian frowned. "Change them when we get back."

Lily practically fled.

She burst into the bedroom, frantically tearing off the heels. The sound of ripping satin resembled an animal's scream.

"What's wrong?" Sophia entered, the golden threads on her cheongsam glittering.

Lily hurled the shoes at the wall. "Like stars! These damn shoes are like stars!"

Sophia's expression darkened.

"Adrian's investigating the accident." Lily's voice trembled. "He found Felix..."

"Calm down." Sophia picked up the shoes. "That junkyard has hundreds of wrecks. He'll never find it."

Lily stared at the golden threads on her mother's dress, watching them twist into a mocking face.

"Six years." Sophia stroked her daughter's shoulder. "Even iron would've rusted away by now. What could he possibly find?"

Outside, Adrian stood in sunlight, yet his shadow engulfed the entire room.