Chapter 70 The Unexpected Sight
The housekeeper stood in the kitchen doorway, her face neutral but her voice carrying a hint of urgency.
"Mrs. Thorne, it’s Dr. Harrison on the line. He says it’s important."
Veyra’s heart jumped. Dr. Harrison. The medical school. The licensing agreement. She had been so distracted by Xie Heng and the pizza shop and her father’s threats that she had almost forgotten.
She wiped her hands on her apron. Flour dusted the fabric.
"I’ll take it in the study," she said.
Lily looked up from the pizza toppings. "Who’s Dr. Harrison?"
"A friend. I’ll be right back."
She walked down the hallway to the small study off the living room. The phone was on the desk. She picked it up.
"Dr. Harrison?"
"Mrs. Thorne." His voice was warm. Kind. "I’ve been trying to reach you. Your phone has been off."
Veyra winced. She had turned it off after the calls from her father and Xie Heng. She had not turned it back on.
"I’m sorry," she said. "My phone broke. I just got it fixed this morning."
It was a lie. A small one. But she did not want to explain the real reason.
"No matter," Dr. Harrison said. "I wanted to follow up with you. About the licensing agreement. And about the university."
Veyra’s pulse quickened. "I’ve been thinking about both. I’ve made up my mind."
"Excellent. We should meet to discuss the details." He paused. "How about lunch? My treat."
Veyra shook her head. "No, Dr. Harrison. My treat. You’ve done so much for me already."
"Nonsense. I invited you."
"Then let me pay. Please."
There was a pause. Then Dr. Harrison chuckled. "You’re stubborn."
"So I’ve been told."
"How about Bordeaux 101? Do you know it?"
Veyra’s stomach dropped. Bordeaux 101 was one of the most expensive restaurants in the city. She had seen pictures online. Crystal chandeliers. White tablecloths. Waiters in tuxedos.
"I’ve heard of it," she said carefully.
"Shall we say one o’clock?"
"I don’t have a reservation. I heard you need one weeks in advance."
Dr. Harrison laughed. "I have a VIP card. Reservations are not an issue. One o’clock. I’ll see you there."
He hung up before she could protest.
Veyra stood in the study, staring at the phone.
Bordeaux 101. One o’clock. She was supposed to pay.
She did the math in her head. A meal at that restaurant could easily cost five thousand yuan. More if they ordered wine. She had saved some money—the emergency fund she had hidden from Caspian. But she had already given two thousand to Mia and bought the bracelet and the gifts for Aunt Chen.
She walked back to her bedroom. She closed the door. She pulled out her hidden stash.
The money was in an envelope at the bottom of her underwear drawer. She had been adding to it for years. A little here. A little there. Coins and crumpled bills and the occasional windfall.
She dumped the envelope onto the bed.
Notes of various denominations scattered across the duvet. She counted them. Twice. Three times.
Six thousand and forty-three yuan.
It was not enough. Not really. A meal for two at Bordeaux 101 with drinks and dessert could cost eight thousand. Nine. Ten.
But it would have to do.
She tucked the money into her bag. She felt a pang of regret. That money was supposed to be her escape fund. Her safety net. The thing that would keep her from ever being trapped again.
But Dr. Harrison was helping her get into medical school. He was helping her license her formula. He had saved Lily’s life by calling the ambulance that night.
She owed him this.
She zipped her bag and walked back to the kitchen.
The kitchen smelled like heaven.
The pizza had finished baking. The crust was golden brown. The cheese was bubbly. The pepperoni had curled at the edges.
Lily was bouncing on her stool. "Is it done? Is it done?"
Veyra pulled the pizza out of the oven. She set it on a wooden board. She sliced it into eight uneven pieces.
"Careful," she said. "It’s hot."
Lily grabbed a piece. She blew on it. She took a bite. Her eyes went wide.
"This is the best pizza I’ve ever eaten," Lily said, her mouth full.
Veyra laughed. "You’re only saying that because you helped make it."
"No. I’m saying it because it’s true." Lily took another bite. Cheese stretched from the slice to her chin.
Veyra cut two slices for herself. She ate standing up, leaning against the counter. The flavors were good. The crust was crispy. The sauce was tangy.
She was proud of herself.
"I have to go out," Veyra said. "I have a meeting."
Lily’s face fell. "Can I come?"
"Not this time. It’s a business meeting. Boring. Lots of paperwork."
"I don’t mind boring."
Veyra knelt down. She tucked a strand of hair behind Lily’s ear.
"How about this," Veyra said. "When your uncle comes home, we’ll all go out together. The three of us. Somewhere fun. You can pick the place."
Lily’s eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Really. I promise."
"Okay." Lily hugged her. Quick. Fierce. "Be safe."
"I will."
Veyra stood up. She grabbed her bag. She walked out of the kitchen.
The bodyguards were waiting outside.
Three cars. Seven men. Li Wei stood by the middle car, his arms crossed, his face calm.
"Mrs. Thorne," he said. "Where to?"
"Bordeaux 101. The restaurant downtown."
Li Wei nodded. He opened the door for her.
Veyra hesitated. "Li Wei, about the Nightblade—"
"I have it." He reached into his jacket. He pulled out the gun. Black. Sleek. Unloaded. "Mr. Thorne said you could have a different gun. Not the one from his nightstand."
Veyra’s heart leaped. "He changed his mind?"
"He said you could continue your training. With a different weapon." Li Wei held out the gun. "This one is similar. Same model. Different serial number."
Veyra took it. The grip was familiar. The weight was comfortable.
"Thank you," she said. "Thank him for me."
"You can thank him yourself when you see him." Li Wei opened the car door wider. "We start shooting lessons tomorrow."
Veyra smiled. She climbed into the car.
The drive to Etland Building took forty minutes.
Veyra spent the time practicing with the new gun. Disassemble. Assemble. Disassemble. Assemble. Her fingers moved faster now. Under two minutes for disassembly. Under three for assembly.
She was getting better.
The car pulled up to the curb. The Etland Building rose above her, glass and steel, gleaming in the afternoon sun. Bordeaux 101 was on the top floor. The views were supposed to be spectacular.
Veyra tucked the gun into her bag. She stepped out of the car.
And then she saw him.
Xie Heng.
He was standing at the entrance of the building, surrounded by four thugs. His cheap suit was wrinkled. His hair was slicked back. His face was hard.
And he was blocking Dr. Harrison.
The old doctor stood at the bottom of the steps, his back straight, his face composed. He was holding a leather briefcase. His white hair was neat in fact his suit was pressed.
Xie Heng was gesturing angrily. His voice carried across the sidewalk.
"You think you can ignore me, old man? I’ve been trying to reach you for weeks."
Dr. Harrison’s voice was calm. "I have nothing to say to you, Xie Heng."
"You will when I break your legs."
Veyra’s blood went cold.
She moved. Fast. Her hand went into her bag. Her fingers found the grip of the Nightblade.
Li Wei was beside her. The other bodyguards fanned out.
"Mrs. Thorne," Li Wei said. "Stay behind me."
"No."
"Mrs. Thorne—"
"I said no." Veyra’s voice was firm. "That’s my friend. I’m not hiding."
She walked toward the entrance.
Xie Heng raised his hand. His thugs stepped forward.
Then something happened. Xie Heng’s knees hit the sidewalk. He knelt.
Right there. In front of Dr. Harrison. In front of the restaurant entrance. In front of everyone.
Veyra stopped.
Her hand was still on the gun. But she did not pull it out.
Xie Heng’s head was bowed. His hands were clasped in front of him.
"Old Gao," he said. "Please. I’m begging you. Give me another chance."
Veyra stared. Old Gao? He was calling Dr. Harrison "Old Gao"?
Dr. Harrison looked down at Xie Heng. His face was cold.
"I have an important meeting," Dr. Harrison said. "I will not let you delay me."
"I’ll wait," Xie Heng said quickly. "I’ll wait outside. All day if I have to. Just give me five minutes when you’re done. Please."
Dr. Harrison’s jaw tightened. "You are a disgrace."
"Yes. I know. I’m sorry. I’ll do anything."
Dr. Harrison looked at him for a long moment. Then he turned and walked up the steps into the building.
Xie Heng stayed on his knees.
Veyra did not move.
She stood on the sidewalk, her hand still in her bag, her eyes fixed on Xie Heng. The thugs had stepped back. They looked confused. Uneasy.
Xie Heng stayed on his knees for a full minute after Dr. Harrison disappeared inside.
Then he stood up.
He brushed off his pants. He straightened his jacket. His face was red. His eyes were burning.
"Old bastard," he muttered. He spat on the ground. "Thinks he’s too good for me. Thinks he can ignore me."
He turned around at that moment and his eyes met Veyra’s.