If she was late, who knew what that weirdo might do...
The thought made Aurora press her lips together. Tonight’s solo eting was filled with danger, but she knew she couldn’t just stand by and let Everett stay trapped in his coma.
After two and a half hours of driving, Aurora finally arrived outside the Penglai Inn in Shaniola Town.
She parked the car, stepped out, and stood quietly for a mont, watching the lively crowd inside the inn.
The weather had cleared up again.
It reminded her of those long rainy days back in Country S, when the skies would suddenly turn bright and sunny without warning.
People looked cheerful. It was already 7:30 PM, and they were enjoying their evening—savoring good food, relaxing, peaceful, and happy.
But Aurora knew she wasn’t here for any kind of happiness tonight. She was about to et the mysterious figure—soone who could be cruel, ruthless, unpredictable. She had no idea what to expect.
Maybe she would be killed. Maybe worse.
Aurora frowned slightly, but forced herself to walk inside.
Whatever the outco, she couldn’t let Everett suffer because of her.
If she didn’t show up tonight, she would regret it for the rest of her life. And that wasn’t who she was. She believed in living with a clear conscience.
Aurora stepped into the inn.
The place had a strong Country S vibe, like sothing straight out of the past. Even the servers were dressed in traditional outfits, giving the whole place a dreamlike, ti-travel feeling.
"Miss, are you here to dine or to et soone?"
A server dressed in a bright red dress with an embroidered dragon-and-phoenix jacket ca over, smiling warmly.
"I’m... here to et soone. Room 10," Aurora answered.
The server’s eyes lit up. "Please follow , miss!"
Aurora thought Room 10 would be on the first floor, but to her surprise, the server led her up to the fourth floor.
"The first and second floors are for dining," the server explained cheerfully. "Only the third and fourth floors have guest rooms. We’re small, but the rooms are big—only five rooms per floor. Very cozy."
The server chattered happily, clearly guessing Aurora was from Country S too, and eager to make her feel at ho.
Aurora said nothing. She let herself be led to the door of Room 10.
"If you need anything, just call ," the server said with a bright smile before leaving.
Aurora nodded. Once the server was gone, she could hear the faint sounds of laughter drifting up from the floors below.
The antique-style hallway was lined with Country S-style paintings, making the place feel surprisingly serene.
Aurora stood frozen for five whole minutes. She lifted her hand to knock—but pulled back at the last second.
Her heart was pounding like a drum. Her hands and feet felt weak.
Classic signs of extre nerves.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to pump herself up.
"Co on, Aurora. You have to get Everett’s antidote. You can do this."
Finally, she knocked.
The sharp, crisp sound of her knocking echoed down the hall, sending chills down her spine.
The space around her fell eerily silent again.
But no one opened the door.
Aurora’s heart climbed into her throat. She didn’t know what the person inside was doing. Nervously, she stepped back two paces, hoping at least the security caras in the hallway would catch the person’s face if they showed themselves.
The door finally creaked open.
Aurora froze on the spot.
The person standing there wore a mask and sunglasses, about the sa height as her, with a slim build.
Judging by the figure, it was a man.
Was he really after her?
Aurora’s heart was pounding wildly. She could barely get her words out.
"Y-You’re the one who sent the ssages, right? Hello, I’m... I’m Aurora. I ca alone, just like you asked. No one else knows about this."
The man made a polite gesture, like he was inviting her in.
"Please, co in," he said, his voice rough and raspy.
Aurora’s hand trembled slightly as she stepped inside. The man closed the door behind her. She stayed alert, watching him carefully, ready for anything.
Tonight, she had deliberately dressed very plainly—a simple black dress, a black overcoat, and jeans underneath. The whole outfit looked mismatched.
But that was exactly the point. She didn’t want to look attractive at all. She didn’t want to give any man a reason to be tempted.
"Miss Wilson, your outfit tonight... truly opens my eyes," the man said, his accent perfectly fluent.
Aurora was stunned. He had to be from Country S too, right?
But she couldn’t recall ever eting soone like him before.
She forced a small laugh.
"I’m not great at dressing up. My stylist’s not with right now, so I just wore whatever I liked."
Aurora spoke carefully. As the man approached, she instinctively backed away a few steps.
He chuckled lightly.
"No need to be so tense. I’m not going to hurt you. I just wanted to et you without anyone else knowing."
After saying that, he casually sat down at a dining table off to the side.
The room was surprisingly large—it even had a piano.
The mix of old-world decor with a modern piano made the space feel a little strange, almost surreal.
Slowly, the man took off his hat, sunglasses, and mask.
Aurora stared in shock.
The man was an old man, probably in his sixties or seventies.
If he had bad intentions toward her, his eyes wouldn’t have been this clean.
There was a kind of quiet longing in his look, a deep mory surfacing.
"You... you look so much like her," he murmured.
Aurora’s heart skipped a beat.
"You... you an my Grandma Carter?" she asked cautiously.
That was the only connection she could think of. People often said she resembled Grandma Carter—about 50% her, 30% her mother, and 20% her father.
Even her own mother used to say Aurora was the spitting image of Grandma Carter. So traits, after all, skipped a generation.
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