The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 94

Lexi knew exactly what the manager was worried about. She put on a kind smile. “You’d be doing a good thing by helping me look out for her. You look like you might have children of your own. Can you really stand by and watch her get pulled in the wrong direction? You saw what that other girl was like, didn't you?”

While she spoke in a gentle, friendly tone, Lexi was inwardly sneering at the manager for constantly eyeing the money. *Just take the cash if you want it. Who are you trying to fool with this holier-than-thou act?*

After weighing her options, the manager finally relented, though she still feigned reluctance. “Alright, fine. I’ll help you out. But… your sister won’t come back and cause trouble for me, will she? That girl with her was ferocious. If they both come storming back in here, my job…”

Lexi quickly cut her off, patting her chest in a gesture of assurance. “Don’t you worry, ma’am. I’ll get her home, and our family will send her abroad soon. Besides, if you help me, you’ll be our family’s savior. Why would I ever betray you?”

With her silver tongue, Lexi had successfully won over the money-grubbing manager.

The manager scooped up the two stacks of cash and tucked them into a drawer. Then, she recounted every detail of Suzie and Josie’s visit, from the moment they walked in to the moment they left, including every word of their argument.

As Lexi listened, her hands, hidden from view, clenched into tight fists. Her eyes slowly turned sinister.

*Excellent. So they’re working together to play me for a fool.*

Lexi gritted her teeth and muttered to herself, “Those two bitches. I knew there was more going on!”

…

Upstairs in the café, Josie and Suzie were chatting idly.

…

By the time Suzie got home from the mall, it was nearly evening.

She paced around the house, anxiously waiting, until her phone finally rang. It was Stella.

Suzie hurriedly swiped to answer. “Stella, where are you?”

Stella’s voice came through loudly. “I just landed at the airport. Suzie, Oliver already booked the hotel. I’m heading to the parking garage to get my car, and then I’ll head over. Are you okay getting to the hotel on your own? If you’re still not feeling well, I can come get you, or I can have Oliver pick you up.”