<b>Chapter </b>400 <b>I </b><b>Know </b>You’re Smart
<b>She </b>quickly reached out and pushed the obstructing statue aside. Sure enough–hidden behind <b>the </b>ster <b>figure </b>was a small, unassuming door.
A thinyer of dust coated its surface, giving it a slightly aged look.
Jean twisted the doorknob; the door creaked open on its own.
Narrowing her eyes, she leaned forward and stepped inside.
Beyond the door, it really was a whole different world.
She found herself in a wide, empty space
There was only a couch, a desk, and a single chair….
That alone made Jean even more certain–Ludwig had definitely been living here.
Her scanned the room and finallynded on another door–tucked away in the corner.
eyes
Even in <i>this </i><i>empty </i><i>space</i>… <i>another </i><i>door</i>. Jean guessed that behind it was likely Ludwig’s bedroom.
After all, the couch and desk didn’t exactly look like good sleeping options.
She walked over quickly and opened the door in
As expected, the room behind it felt lived–in.
he
mer-
There was a bed, a small kitchen, and even a bathroom…
<i>This </i>had <i>to </i><i>be </i>Ludwig’s <i>private </i><i>living </i><i>space</i><i>. </i><i>But</i><i>… </i>Jean narrowed her eyes<b>, </b>scanning the ce carefully.
The bed, the furniture–everything was neat and tidy. But there was one thing missing-
There were no signs of anyone actually being there. Turning her head, Jean searched the entire room, hoping to spot Ludwig.
She checked every corner.
Still nothing…
Ludwig wasn’t here, which meant he had most likely already left the arts building–maybe even left Sterford Academy altogether.
<i>Where </i><i>could </i><i>he </i><i>have </i><i>gone</i><i>? </i><i>Why </i><i>didn’t </i><i>he </i><i>say </i><i>anything </i><i>to </i><i>me</i><i>… </i>
Then, Jean suddenly thought of Jolene. <i>Why </i><i>hadn’t </i>I <i>reached </i><i>out </i><i>to </i><i>Jolene </i><i>to </i><i>ask</i><i>? </i>
That woman ranked high within the organization–she definitely had <b>ess </b>to information about its members. Odds were, she’d know what was going on with Ludwig right now.
With that in mind, Jean pulled out her phone from b
pocket.
She had Jolene’s number.
18-21 Sun, 130
Te
<b>Chapter </b><b>400 </b><b>I </b><b>Know </b>You’re <b>Smart </b>
<b>But </b><b>just </b><b>then- </b>
<b>Jean’s </b><b>eyes </b>shifted, catching something unusual on the nightstand.
<b>She </b><b>pressed </b>her <b>lips </b>together and silently walked over to it.
Under the bedsidemp was a folded piece of paper.
Without hesitation, Jean reached out and pulled it free.
She slowly unfolded the note, and Ludwig’s handwriting came into view.
It was a message for her: “Jean, if you’re reading this, you must be looking for me. I figured you’d <b>be </b><b>able </b><b>to </b>find this ce, after all, you’re smart.
school, there’s no reason for me toomething’se up recently, and since you’ve stoppeding <b>to </b>
stay at the arts building to watch over you anymore. <i>So</i>, I’ve <b>moved- </b>
temporarily. If you need me,e to the address below…”
<i>So </i>Ludwig had <i>moved</i><i>? </i>And he <i>didn </i>
Other
<i>telling </i>me… Jean frowned.
She nced at the address on the paper and quickly memorized it.
Then she folded the note back up and stuffed it into her pocket.
Without sticking around, Jean turned and headed out of the arts building without wasting <b>a </b>second.
She nned to retrace her steps–just like before–and sneak out through the school’s remote side gate.
But this time, things didn’t go so smoothly-
“Hey, what ss are you in? Skipping school?”
A patrolling security guard suddenly approached, his voice booming like a thunderp.
He jogged toward her, his face set in a stern re, eyes shing with suspicion.
Jean panicked.
<i>Damn </i>it. She bolted straight for the side gate.