Scarlett reluctantly agreed. Given her ie and professional level, I assumed


    she lived in an old, run-down apartmentplex at worst. But to my surprise, she actually lived in a dpidated urban vige.


    Both Patricia and I were stunned. I couldn''t drive any farther to drop her.


    Scarlett swiftly got out. "Serena, I''ll just get off here. Thank you so much for today."


    Patricia and I exchanged a nce before I spoke up. "Scarlett, it''s pretty dark here. Patricia and I will walk you to your building before heading back. There are two of us, after all."


    Despite her repeated refusals, we still apanied her part of the way.


    "I can move somewhere else," Scarlett said in a calm voice without a hint of resentment. "But my mother is seriously ill, and I need to take care of her." She sighed lightly. "That''s why I won''t invite you both up."


    After waving goodbye to her, Patricia and I couldn''t shake the heavy feeling in our hearts.


    "When Mia was around, she constantly targeted Scarlett. I always thought Scarlett was just someone with no temper, someone who could endure anything. But it turns out... she had no choice," Patricia sighed.


    I couldn''t stop thinking about it either. "Yeah. Scarlett values this job because she has to support her family. And Mia took advantage of that weakness to exploit her."


    Someone like Mia was never fit to be a leader. At least her reign didn''tst forever.


    Just as Patricia and I were stepping out of the alleyway, a shadow suddenly flickered at the entrance. I jumped in fright as my instincts kicked in. I reached for the closest traffic cone and was ready to hurl it.


    Then, I heard a familiar voice. "Serena, it''s me! It''s me-Lucas."


    I let go of the traffic cone and frowned at him. "Luke? What are you doing here sote?"


    "I... I was just passing by and thought I saw someone who looked like you, so I came to check," he exined with a bright smile.


    But this time, I felt a strong sense of doubt. He would say it was a coincidence that we ran into each other almost every time. But could there really be so many coincidences in the world?


    "Serena, it''ste. Let me give you a ride home," he offered eagerly.


    I was still lost in thought and answered without thinking, "No need. I have a car now."


    He nced at the keys in my hand, looking momentarily awkward. "Oh... right. I should''ve thought about buying you a car earlier."


    My suspicions only deepened, but


    вет


    didn''t let them show. Before getting


    into


    the car, I simply said,


    should get home and rest


    swell


    Even as I drove away, the unease in my heart didn''t fade.


    "Lucas is acting suspicious." Patricia''s voice suddenly came from the back seat as she leaned forward.


    "Out of all the employees at thepany, he only signed the


    contract when you were the one presenting it to him. And in a huge city like Grandview, he just so happens to bump into you in the middle of the night?"


    I frowned. "What if I told you... this isn''t even the first time?"


    "Wow!" Patricia gasped dramatically. "Then there''s only one possible exnation."


    "What?" I asked while focusing on the road.


    "Either the two of you are fated to be together, blessed by the heavens..."