Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 274

Getting rear-ended in a new car would sour anyone’s mood.

Tobias was about to lose his temper, but when he saw the woman in the driver’s seat, he felt a flicker of recognition. Had he seen her somewhere before?

Of course—it was Stephanie’s friend from the restaurant, the one who was obsessed with sex.

Tobias raised an eyebrow.

“Is your husband bad in bed? Does he have some kind of problem down there? Why else would he have a gorgeous woman like you and just look but not touch?”

“You’re both adults. Don’t you have physical needs? You’re like a tinderbox waiting for a spark, living under the same roof, and you’re telling me you just sleep in separate beds all night long?”

That’s what Tobias had overheard her saying to Stephanie at the restaurant.

He had thought at the time that this woman was unbelievably bold, discussing such topics in a public place without bothering to lower her voice, letting him, a curious bystander, hear every word.

While Tobias had recognized Cecilia, she had no idea who he was. She only knew she was doomed.

“I have no money!”

She hadn’t hit the brakes fast enough, leaving a large dent in the sports car’s rear. The repair costs were clearly going to be astronomical.

The words came out as a desperate cry, and Cecilia felt like she was just trying to weasel her way out of it.

She quickly pulled out her phone and opened her digital wallet, as if to prove her point.

“I really have no money.”

The wallet was practically empty, with only $25 left.

After her family, the Parkers, had gone bankrupt, they had lost everything, even mortgaging their house to the bank. Her parents had moved back to their hometown.

Cecilia had just paid her rent for the next six months, leaving her with a pathetic $25 in her account. She was surviving on credit cards until her next paycheck.

She looked up at Tobias. “Can I pay you back after I get paid next month?”

With her pale face, Tobias felt a smirk tug at his lips. He leaned one hand on the car door frame, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

Stephanie seemed so sharp, but how was her best friend so clueless?

Didn’t she know she could file an insurance claim in a situation like this? Did she really lack such basic common sense?

Inside was a blood-stained burial shroud. It was an ominous sight, its black and white colors disturbingly funereal.

Her heart hammered against her ribs, and the hair on her arms stood on end.

She quickly closed the box, carried it out to the hallway, and threw it into the trash can.

As she was returning from washing her hands, she ran into Hannah, who was heading to the restroom. “What’s wrong? You look awful.”

Stephanie forced a weak smile. “Thanks for asking, but I’m fine.”

Hannah didn’t press the issue.

Stephanie went to the receptionist to ask about the package.

The receptionist looked apologetic. “A local courier dropped it off this morning. I just signed for it and brought it to your office. Is there a problem?”

The sender knew her workplace and her name. It had to be someone she knew.

As Stephanie was trying to figure out who it could be, lost in thought, Hannah returned to the main office with Vivian in tow.