Chapter 169

Adrian feigned surprise, looking up at the guard with wide eyes, then pointed to his ear, implying that his old age had given him a bit of a hearing problem.

“Well, we got a hard–of–hearing geezer here,” the guard bellowed “Clean up thoroughly, no dilly–

dallying”

A few more guards emerged from the restroom. The leader, a middle–aged man, regarded Adrian’s stooped figure with a slight frown. “Has this old guy been hanging around here all along?”

He was a cautious man, always on the lookout for potential problems.

Another guard shrugged it off. “No biggie, the old man can’t hear too well.

Perhaps because they all thought Adrian was hard of hearing, they grew increasingly careless with their words. They’ve been stuck here for over a mont! looking after a sickly middle–aged woman it gets pretty boring.

“Do you reckon this woman will make it? When can we all go out for a drink? Beats were staying here, twiddling our thumbs.”

“Who knows? We’ve got to earn our keep.” They were being paid a hefty sum. This lady may not have long left, but the boss doesn’t seem to want her to kick the bucket just yet. Even though her body rejects the treatment, they keep her on medicines.”

“Rich family drama is so convoluted. Have you guys met the lady boss? She seems loaded.”

“That young girl who used to come by every week is the sick woman’s daughter, right?”

“Probably. She should be dropping by any day now. I’ve touched her hand, so soft…”

“Get a grip, man.”

The guards shot the breeze with a few off–color remarks thrown in. Women were a rare sight in this place.

Adrian kept his head down, clutching the mop tightly. He looked up, his voice hoarse, “Any more cleaning to do?”

“Nah, you can take off,” a guard replied. Adrian didn’t move. Aware of Adrian’s hearing problem, the guard shouted again, “Go”

“All right.” Adrian picked up his bucket and mop and prepared to leave.

Suddenly, one of the guards said, “Let him come in and mop the floor.”

“You, old man, come in and mop.”

Finally, Adrian saw Grace.

He entered the room with a bucket and a mop in hand. The strong smell of disinfectant stung his nose.

After the car accident that landed him in jail for ten years, later reduced to seven, he finally got out, only to lose all contact with Grace.

And now, he had finally found her.

Grace…

What… What happened to you?

The woman on the bed looked sallow and frail. She was extremely thin, with various tubes inserted into her body, seemingly kept alive by a ventilator. Adrian just glanced at her and felt a sharp pain in his heart. But he didn’t dare to make a sound because people were outside, so he endured his pain in silence.

He pretended to mop the floor nonchalantly, not daring to hesitate for fear of raising suspicions. After mopping, he took a quick look at Grace and left immediately.

“Finished mopping the floor. Anything else you need?”

“No, you can go”

Bent over, Adnan left the sixth floor.

Meanwhile, Allison was preparing to go upstairs. She texted Adrian.

*Adrian, where are you?”

Adrian replied, “I’m on the third floor, turn left, room 302, the cleaning closet.”