Chapter 171

Chapter171.

Evan said from the front, “Be quiet.”

Cody looked innocent.

Gloria glared at Cody with wide, round eyes. She had a sweet appearance, looking like a fresh college girl withour makeup, but she cultivated a sexy siren image. Combined with her mastery of coquettish speech, she was a charming woman. Her blend of sweetness and sensuality was captivating to men But today, she suffered her greatest defeat. This little brat called her Madam. Evan, the bigshot, even yelled at her.

“Hmph.”

She stamped her foot in annoyance, clinging to my arm, her lips slightly pouting, quietly muttering Men suck”

I comforted her, “Let’s ignore them.”

‘Mm.”

She leaned weakly against my shoulder.

Cody walked behind us, thinking about the shove: This woman doesn’t seem so weak Outside the elevator was a long corridor. The dim red light, the strange decorations on either side of the walls, and the mysterious incense smoke created an eerie atmosphere. Whether Madame Huang was truly psychic or not, the atmosphere was perfect.

The corridor ended. Turning a corner, a double–door brown wooden door, resembling an ancient tomb entrance, appeared. The surrounding frame was intricately carved stone, magnificent and grand... Are we still in the building? The surroundings make me think we are tomb raiders!

The commotion at the elevator seemed to have disturbed someone inside. Before we could reach the door, a young girl in a white Taoist robe and a hair bun came out; she looked to be in her early twenties, pretty and delicate. Seeing the four of us, her eyes flickered with surprise.

“You guys came here together? Do you have an appointment?”

Appointments were required.

I gently pushed a strand of hair back, casually revealing my eight trigrams bracelet.“A friend recommended us. We heard Madame Huang is exceptionally insightful.”

The girl in the robe saw my eight trigrams bracelet and smiled.“Miss, that’s a protective bangle blessed by Madame Huang. Your friend gave it to you; she must hold you in high regard.”

This confirmed that Sherry had been here before and was likely inside.

“Yes, it’s particularly effective. They also want one. I was going to have my friend introduce them, but her phone is off today, so I came myself.”

I was subtly probing.

The robe girl asked, “May I ask your friend’s surname?”

“Burke.”

The robe girl’s eyes flickered. “Oh, you’re Ms. Burke’s friend. But she’s not here today, and all appointments are full until ten o’clock. Please leave.”

She turned to go back. I grabbed her; I was certain Sherry was inside. My grip might have been too strong; she frowned.

06.50 96.6%

< Chapter171.

I quickly loosened my hold.“Sorry, but we really want to meet Madame Huang; please let us in.”

Then, I pulled her to the side. Our whispered exchange resembled haggling over prices–resolute head shakes gradually softening to reluctant nods before final acquiescence.

Evan arched an eyebrow as we returned with the robed girl.

“Madame Huang senses fate’s thread,” she intoned, leading us through a doorway.“Power off your phones.”

We surrendered devices to a lockbox. Rules were rules.

Menu The corridor beyond dripped with ancient tomb aesthetic–someone took “feng shui consultation” design inspiration too literally.

Evan bent close as incense smoke cleared.“How exactly did we earn this ‘fated‘ privilege?”

“Cash infusion,” I whispered behind my hand.

“What?”

Evan didn’t seem to hear me.

I said it again.

“I’m sorry, what?”

Exasperated, I tiptoed closer to his ear; he leaned down cooperatively. I whispered it again. My warm breath tickled his ear.“Cold. Hard. Cash.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed.

Suddenly he turned–our noses nearly colliding. I unexpectedly met his gaze. Tiptoeing was difficult already, and startled, I stumbled.

Evan’s arm banded my waist. His breath warmed my earlobe.“That’s my clever rich girl.”

Every nerve ending tingled from scalp to fingertips.

My heart pounded; I instinctively pushed him away. He braced himself against the wall, which had a row of copper coins hanging. Touching them triggered a chain reaction, creating a series of sounds.

I quickly walked ahead, pretending not to see it.

Gloria and Cody were speechless.

Evan told them to be quiet, yet he made such a noise... But they dared not say anything.

The robed girl halted ahead, catching Evan retracting his hand. Her cheeks flushed pink as she gently warned, “...Stealing ritual coins brings misfortune.”

Evan didn’t know what to say.

My lingering awkwardness evaporated into secondhand embarrassment. Gloria and Cody bit their lips raw containing laughter.

The girl gestured to a dimly lit room.“Wait here until summoned. Do not wander–angry spirits reside in these halls.”

We settled into client chairs flanking a tea set. I chose a seat strategically distanced from Evan, still rattled by our corridor encounter.

Gloria opened her mouth–I silenced her with a finger.

Taking out a notepad and pen from my bag, I wrote: Assume surveillance. Write only.

Gloria wrote OK below, passing it to Cody, who also wrote OK, and finally to Evan. He looked at it, saying nothing.

966 < Chapter171.

Cody jabbed his pen insistently.

Evan ignored him.

Seeing the pen and notepad passed like a game, I had more to say, but he didn’t return them. I got up and retrieved them, writing: Sherry is here because Rita’s mother is coming tonight.

Menu Everyone understood–the final puzzle piece snapping into place. We’d been wondering what connection this place had with Rita or the Crowe family. And now... it connected.

4 Chapter172 Chapter172.