?Chapter 976:


    Lucinda’s smile stiffened. She hadn’t expected him to be so blunt. She had made an effort to ask him out, and yet he still rejected her. In her mind, there was only one exnation—Elena. That woman must have poisoned Ellis’s opinion of her. That had to be it. Lucinda clenched her jaw, fury bubbling up as thoughts of resentment toward Elena burned through her.


    Ellis didn’t spare Lucinda another nce. When he finally looked up, his gazended on Charlette. She stood not far off, watching him with a soft, unreadable smile. He had no idea how long she had been there.


    Ellis shifted his gaze away and walked ahead, pretending not to notice Charlette. From behind him, Charlette raised her voice, adding a yful edge to her tone. “You’re so cold. That girl asks you out, and you don’t even give her the time of day.”


    The sarcasm in her tone wasn’t lost on Ellis, and a faint crease formed between his brows. He didn’t slow down. “That’s not your concern,” he said, his voice clipped.


    Charlette stepped closer, undeterred. “Not my concern? If you say yes to her, then what chance do I have to ask you out?”


    A light trench coat hugged her figure today, and her curls spilled past her shoulders without a single pin. Her makeup was barely there—just enough to brighten her lips with a soft orange tint. Without the heavy eyeliner or bold lipstick from thest time they met, her whole look had shifted. She seemed gentler, more inviting.


    Grinning, she tilted her head. “Tell me. If I were the one asking you out, would you turn me down just as icily?”


    Ellis’sshes flickered almost imperceptibly. “You already know the answer.”


    Charlette let out augh, as if he’d said something funny.


    The sound caught him off guard. His expression tightened. “What’s so funny?”


    Still smiling, she tossed his own line back at him. “Whether Iugh or not… that’s not your concern either, right?”


    His jaw tensed, and his frown deepened, but he didn’t reply. He simply turned away and walked off.


    Charlette watched his back with mild amusement. Teasing him was far too easy.


    Elsewhere, Ellis spotted Elena and approached. He asked if she had ns the next day. When she mentioned going to the square, he offered to tag along.


    Far from that scene, Wesley had taken a trip to the ck market. Crowds packed the narrow alleyways, and the air was thick with grit and the stench of old smoke and sweat.


    gα?ησν????s is where your journey begins


    Arion trailed behind Wesley, puzzled. “Mr. Spencer, why did wee here?”


    Without answering, Wesley walked straight into a gun shop.


    The confusion in Arion’s eyes only grew stronger. “Wait… Are you nning to buy a gun?”


    It didn’t make sense at all. Wesley already had more weapons than he could use—why add another? What transpired next made him understand. As soon as he walked in, the shopkeeper hurried over. “Mr. Spencer, right on time. The piece you asked for is ready. Let me show you.”


    Out came apact, meticulously polished handgun. “This model has excellent range and barely any kick. Just like you wanted—easy for a woman to handle.”


    Without saying a word, Wesley picked it up and tested the weight. Light. Smooth. He thumbed off the safety, casually lifting the barrel and pointing it straight at the shopkeeper. The color drained from the man’s face. “M-Mr. Spencer… What are you…”


    A slight tilt of the wrist, and Wesley pulled the trigger. The bullet sped through the air, mmed into the brick wall behind, and vanished inside with no sound at all.


    The shopkeeper’s forehead was slick with sweat now. His hands trembled.


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