With the decision made, everyone went their separate ways.
Lucian Chapman headed out. He didnât say who he was going to see, and Paige Summers didnât ask. Everyone was entitled to their privacy; all she cared about was the result.
She and the Forrest Siblings remained at the shop to finish the final touches. They wiped the doors and windows until they gleamed, getting everything ready to open at a momentâs notice. Only then did the three of them pack up and head back.
Outside the commercial district, Wendy Lowellâs car was gone, just as sheâd expected.
Her words must have worked.
Paige Summers put the matter aside for the time being.
On the way back, she sat in the car, gazing out the window.
âMarcus Monroe... He should be the City Lord of The Dead City by now. I wonder what the situation over there is. Are Shawn Monroe and Nora Lowell still putting up a desperate fight? As the original novelâs protagonists, I doubt theyâd die that easily. Still, I donât believe a miracle could happen under those circumstances, like them turning the tables and winning... Marcus Monroe is nowhere near that stupid!â
âThe most likely possibility, then, is that theyâve fled The Dead City.â
Paige Summers leaned against the car window and propped up her chin.
âWill the two of them go to Norgate?â
âAfter all, Nora Lowellâs father is the City Lord of Norgate.â
âI vaguely recall the original novel mentioning that Nora Lowellâs father didnât care much for her. He listened more to her stepmother, which put Nora in an incredibly awkward position and led to her wandering destitute until she was saved by Shawn Monroe.â
âBut theyâre still father and daughter. If she went back now, the outcome is anyoneâs guess.â
âBut the plot... itâs really been changed so much.â
âThe Shawn Monroe of today is no longer the future ruler of The Dead City, and he doesnât have hordes of loyal followers anymore. The help he can offer Nora Lowell has diminished significantly. If they were truly in love, Nora Lowell naturally wouldnât care, but the problem is, at least before I left, I saw no sign that they cherished each other at all!â
âA couple like that... would they still have the deep bond described in the book? Would they be willing to live and die together, overcome countless obstacles, and finally get their happy ending?â
Paige Summers gave a cynical laugh.
She gave their fate a passing thought and then dismissed it.
She might not like Nora Lowell, but her own life was far more important.
âRight now, whatâs important is solving the assassin problem, then successfully opening the weapon shop and working hard to live a good life here in Central City!â
After returning, she cautiously made some preparations.
âA place where you can buy and sell information, one that only opens at night... Itâs bound to be a den of thieves. Going without some form of protection would be foolish!â
She still had a stock of various medicinal powders and medicines, so she didnât bother Levi Young.
His door was shut tight, with a "Do Not Disturb" sign deliberately hung on it. âHe must be immersed in the world of Rainbow Water, exploring it further,â she thought.
Paige Summers got everything ready and then rested for a few hours to conserve her energy. Finally, just before midnight, Lucian Chapman returned.
He quickly called Paige Summers downstairs. Once they were both in the car, he started driving and gave her a brief rundown of the information heâd gathered.
Just as Paige Summers had expected, the place was a nightclub.
But it wasnât just a nightclub. To be more precise, it was a multi-purpose venue for entertainment and networking.
"They say that as long as youâre willing to spend Crystal Cores, thereâs very little information you canât get. Unless itâs ancient history or involves too many secrets."
"But the only currency they accept for trade is Crystal Cores. Only Crystal Cores."
"I understand."
Paige Summers was already prepared for this.
Credit Points were stored on everyoneâs Identity Card, so swiping one would mean exposing your identity.
No one would be that foolish.
Thatâs why she had already taken some Crystal Cores from her spatial storage and put them in a small pouch she kept close to her body.
Lucian Chapman thought for a moment before adding, "Oh, right. Let your hair down to cover your face a bit. Itâs not a safe place, and youâre too conspicuous."
Paige Summers did as he said, then turned to look at his own hair, which was cut close to the scalp. Not long after arriving in Central City, Lucian Chapman had gotten a buzz cut. It made him look more masculine, but his face was just too handsome!
"What about you? How are you going to hide anything with hair that short? Donât even try to deny it, your face is way more eye-catching than mine!"
Lucian Chapman rolled his eyes. "Of course I have my ways. You donât need to worry about me." Then he added maliciously, "At least youâre self-aware. When it comes to looks, even a few of you combined wouldnât measure up to me!"
Paige Summersâs eyes widened. "Our genders donât seem to be the same. A man comparing his looks to a womanâs... are you for real?"
Lucian Chapman grinned. "Oh, thatâs right. If you hadnât mentioned it, Iâd have almost forgotten youâre a woman!"
"Idiot! Havenât you heard? Tough girls are whatâs in style now!"