Chapter 1694

She texted Felix, just a casual check-in to see if he'd had dinner and what he was up to.

But Felix’s replies were curt, almost disinterested.

The less he showed interest, the more Carol found herself intrigued.

She was not one for men who con too strong, always suspecting ulterior motives. But Felix's restraint only stoked Carol's

desire to win him over.

Without delay, Carol had someone check out the barbecue restaurant where Felix worked and planned a “chance” encounter.

Felix, however, was a creature of habit, working four jobs every day, heading straight hafterward, rarely venturing out except

for a weekly grocery run. His routine was alarmingly regular compared to Carol's. Even her father, Abner, wasn’t as industrious as

Felix.

Other than work, he scarcely indulged in any leisure, perpetually in a state of earning.

How were they ever going to meet at this rate?

The moment was slipping away.

Impatient, Carol dragged Yolanda with her to the barbecue restaurant where Felix worked.

Before they entered, Carol gave strict instructions.

“Don't reveal my identity. Remember to order plenty of drinks.”

She went over her script multiple times with Yolanda, who was feeling a headache coming on.

“Carol, are we going to con someone?”

“It's not conning when it’s about love,” Carol retorted.

Yolanda fell silent, and they took their seats as the dishes began to arrive.

Felix wasn't the one serving them this time, much to Carol's disappointment.

After a two-hour wait, just as Carol was about to give up, she spotted Felix by another booth, in what seemed like an altercation.

The leader of the group splashed a drink on him, drenching his hair.

Carol shot Yolanda a look, and Yolanda began their act.

“Carol, you've never had any of this fancy food, right? Last tyou said I couldn't appreciate the finer things. Well, now I'm

showing you the world, and look at your face. I heard you hand over your whole paycheck to your mom, saving for your brother's

house down-payment. Like he could ever afford a place in Greenfield. Your family’s so poor, you probably split a biscuit into three

meals,” Yolanda said, more convincingly than she expected.

She tapped the table for emphasis.

“This meal costs more than your family’s yearly budget. See those bottles? That's half a year's rent for you. Never seen anything

like it, huh? If you weren't my cousin, I'd never bring you to a place like this.”

Seven bottles of hard liquor adorned their table.

Carol couldn’t wait any longer; she had a plan. She genuinely liked Felix, ever since that night at the BlueSky Bar. He was neat and

clean-cut, like a camellia.

She never knew what her type was until Felix appeared, crystallizing her fantasies. She liked his kind, the clean-cut type.

Yolanda’s voice was loud enough to catch Felix’s attention. He glanced over, wiped the liquor from his hair, and apologized to the

man he'd been speaking with.

The man scoffed impatiently and waved him off, “We don’t need your introductions here, scram. My girlfriend can’t take her eyes

off you; it’s like you're doing it on purpose.”

As Felix approached Carol's table, Yolanda gave the table another slap.

“Forget it, I bring you here out of pity. I've got things to do, but you're finishing these drinks. And if you don't, I'll tell your mom

about the stash of cash you're keeping from her. She'll chew you out for sure.”

After her improvised tirade, Yolanda stormed off, leaving Carol alone with the bottles.

Carol sat by the window, her solitary shadow cast upon the glass, looking pitiful in the night light.

Felix approached, his emotions flickering in his eyes as he sat opposite her.

“You really planning to finish all that?”

Carol looked up at him with a smile and a sigh.

“No choice. She's tight with the restaurant owner; they'll check the cameras. Then my savings go to my mom. I've been working

hard for years, and she’s taken most of it. I just wanted to keep enough to cover rent.”

Felix sat, listening as she said, “How about you join me? You've worked in a bar; you can hold your liquor.”

Felix's lashes quivered, his hand tensing at his side.

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