Chapter 64 A World Away


    <b>+5 </b>Free Coins


    A surge of humiliation and frustration swelled in Tess’s chest, but the thought of La, still sick and needing her care, forced her to grit her teeth and keep her head down.


    “I didn’t bring my phone,” she said softly, barely above a whisper.


    “Whoa! Lady, are you mute or something?” a punk jeered from the crowd, loud enough for everyone to hear.


    Laughter exploded around her like firecrackers. The street echoed with mocking voices, growing louder by the second.


    Tess tried to block it all out, to disappear within herself, but it was impossible. A ring of people had already gathered, drawing curious nces from passersby.


    A few onlookers looked at her with sympathy–until they recognized Craig. Then they quickly averted their eyes and hurried


    away.<fnbebd> ?????? ???? fι?dnοvel</fnbebd>


    “No phone? Then say your number out loud!” Craig snapped, his patience wearing thin. He shoved her hard on the shoulder.


    Tess stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.


    She staggered back a few steps before regaining her bnce. Craig didn’t care. He kept shing his blindingly bright phone screen in her face.


    “What are you, mute and deaf too?!” he barked.


    One of Craig’s goons, catching his cue, lunged forward and reached for Tess’s hair.


    Her eyes flew wide open. She fought back on instinct.


    In the chaos, her face mask was yanked off.


    The noisy street froze.


    Only the music thumping from the nearby bar kept ying.


    Craig’s eyes bulged. The alcohol–induced haze vanished from his face.


    You’re-” he started.


    Tess quickly ducked, shatched the mask from the ground, and put it back on in one swift motion.


    Her face stayed buried in her chest, terrified to meet anyone’s gaze.


    She took advantage of the momentary shock and tried to slip away.


    Before she could slip away, a hand grabbed her arm. “Hey, everyone! Hurry up and greet my wife!”


    Craig shouted, gripping her tightly, eyes glittering with excitement.


    Who would’ve guessed such a stunning face was hiding under that in outfit? Even with the faint scar on her cheek, she was a knockout. He felt like he’d just won the lottery.


    Craig waved over the sameckey who had grabbed Tess earlier and pped him hard across the face. “How dare you hurt my


    wife?


    Startled by his sudden action, Tess instinctively cast a nce at theckey who had just taken the blow,


    The skinny thug’s face flushed red and swelled up instantly.


    “Let me go!” Tess cried, panic rising in her chest.


    Tess couldn’t get involved with them. For all she knew, the next p might be aimed straight at her face.


    10:26 AM


    Chapter 64 A World Away.


    She twisted hard and broke free, bolting down the sidewalk.


    1


    Craig wasn’t about to let her escape that easily. He chased after her without hesitation.


    Just then–Screech!


    s


    A luxury car came to a sudden stop at the curb, its gleaming headlights piercing through the dim street like twin daggers.


    Craig froze, and he fell a step behind.


    The moment that car appeared, he came to a full halt. He didn’t dare take another step.


    If Tess’s beauty had half–sobered him, this car woke him uppletely.


    He tugged on his goons and retreated in a hurry.


    Tess blinked, stunned.


    No… it <i>couldn’t </i><i>be</i><i>. </i>Finn?


    The street, already sparsely popted, fell into an even deeper silence.


    The window rolled down, revealing a chiseled face as cold as sculpture.


    More people began pouring out of the bar.


    And that’s when she realized–Finn hadn’te for her.


    The bar had cleared out to receive him.


    Surrounded by bodyguards, Finn stood tall and distant, his mere presence creating a rift between him and everyone else.


    Dressed in a simple ck suit, he walked briskly forward, lips pressed into a line..


    Several women, still buzzed from drinking, had their eyes lit up the instant he walked in.


    But hismanding aura kept them at bay. They could only gape in longing as he disappeared inside.


    “Oh my God! He’s gorgeous.”


    “Don’t even bother. That’s Aetheris’s richest man. You could go blind staring, and he still wouldn’t look twice at you.”


    The whispers rolled through the crowd like a breezeced with


    envy


    and awe.


    Tess kept her head down, clutching her child close as she melted into the crowd and left.


    And just <b>as </b>she slipped away, a man stepping into the bar suddenly paused. As if guided by instinct, he turned back. But all he saw were shapeless shadows shifting in the dark.


    His brows knitted as he scanned the figures–until his gaze locked on a woman carrying a child.


    A mother<i>… </i>bringing a baby to a bar<i>? </i>


    Finn rubbed his brow and looked away, expression indifferent,


    As he stepped inside, the ce had already been cleared. The floor was being scrubbed down by cleaners in a hurry.


    “Mr. Lock, would you like your usual private room?“


    The bar’s elusive general manager hurried with a ttering smile and eager nod.


    “The second floor”


    Finn had a business meeting scheduled here.


    10:26 AM P


    Chapter 64 A World Away


    The manager quickly arranged for someone to escort him upstairs.


    s


    Unlike the chaos downstairs, the second floor had the feel of a private lounge–quiet, refined, and removed from the usual bar atmosphere.


    The moment Finn appeared, all eyes turned to him.


    He hadn’t even sat down yet when a man nearby instantly straightened in his seat.


    “Mr. Lock,” he said, rising to his feet with an apologetic look.


    Finn nced at him, his cool gaze like a stillke hiding a storm beneath.


    “Mr. Holden asked me to wait for you here,” the man said. “But unfortunately, he got into a car ident on his way over. He sends his regrets and hopes to reschedule.”