Chapter 44

When Winnie meticulously polished the bracelet she had finally reclaimed from the Henderson family, her phone sitting on the counter buzzed to life. The caller ID displayed a name she hadn’t seen in ages a high school friend long fallen out of touch.

She answered, only to be met with an anxious voice, “Winnie, it’s me. Are you in Emerald Bay right now? I… I’m in a car crash, in the hospital, and my folks cut off my cards. Could you come over and maybe help me with the bills? Please?”

Winnie said nothing, just listened intently.

There was a tinge of guilt on the other end, “Come on, we go way back. You wouldn’t leave me hanging, would you? Hello? Winnie, you still there?”

“I hear you,” Winnie replied coolly. “But do me a favor and tell Mrs. Henderson to stop playing these lowball games. If Kathryn wants to see she can come herself, not trick me into some hospital visit.”

With that, she hung up without a second thought. Across the line, the classmate was flabbergasted, and Suzan, lurking nearby, was equally stunned.

“How did she know I told you to call?!” Suzan snapped. “Did you give it away?!”

The classmate thought, “What the hell?”

Unbeknownst to Suzan, Winnie’s senses had sharpened since she delved into the esoteric arts. She had overheard Suzan’s hushed promptings during the call.

Winnie understood Suzan’s need to borrow a phone, having blocked all contact from the Henderson family herself. What she couldn’t fathom was their perpetual air of superiority, even when asking for help, resorting to manipulation instead of a straightforward approach.

No way she’d play into their hands.

After securing the bracelet, Winnie descended the stairs, planning to fetch some supplies from her apartment. But as she reached the second floor, she bumped into Springer.

Springer, with dark circles betraying a night spent gaming, grunted at the sight of Winnie before attempting to pass by.

“Hold up,” she called out, catching him off guard.

He turned, half expecting gratitude, “What’s up?”

“Just… don’t meet up with online strangers today. And stay away from high places,” Winnie advised.

Springer scoffed, dismissing her concern and marched downstairs.

Winnie watched him leave, having done her part to warn him of the dark aura around his brow.

1/3 12:46 Downstairs, Springer grumbled about her odd behavior when Amber approached him with curiosity. “Springer, what’s up?”

“Nothing, just a nuisance,” he replied, then noticing Amber’s intent to leave, asked, “You heading out?”

“Yeah, meeting an online friend today,” she said cheerfully.

The coincidence struck Springer – Winnie’s words echoing as Amber mentioned her plans. Het didn’t believe in superstitions, but he couldn’t shake an odd feeling.

“Careful with online meetups, especially for a girl like you,” he cautioned.

Amber laughed it off, “Don’t worry, my friend’s trustworthy. It’s Nina from the game – you know her.”

Springer remembered Nina, a sweet–voiced girl gamer his age.

“Why the sudden meetup?” he asked.

*Just holiday boredom. Come with me!” Amber suggested.

Caught off guard, Springer hesitated until he noticed Winnie watching, her glance a silent reminder, almost a warning. In defiance, he agreed, “Alright, I’ll come.”

“Great, go change and I’ll wait,” Amber smiled.

As Springer rushed upstairs, throwing a challenging look at Winnie, she ignored him, heading towards the front door.

Amber, just noticing Winnie, offered a ride, “Heading out, Winnie? Wait a bit, and our driver can drop you off.”

Springer paused on the stairs, sensing something amiss in Amber’s offer. He glanced back at Winnie, who simply glanced at Amber with indifference and replied, “No need.”

With that, she strode to the foyer, sliding off her shoes with an air of finality. Yet, just before she stepped out, her gaze lingered on Springer’s limited–edition sneakers nestled in the shoe cabinet.

Amber watched her leave, the gentleness in her eyes slowly twisting into a wry amusement.

It wasn’t long before Springer hurried downstairs, changed yet still looking a tad under the weather. Noticing that Winnie had already left, he couldn’t help but express his reluctance to Amber “Amber, maybe we should just cancel today? We can meet up with her some other time.”

Amber’s face instantly registered confusion. “But we’ve already made plans, how can I go back on my word? Besides, didn’t you just say it’s dangerous to meet an online friend alone?”

Her voice carried a playful rebuke as she reached out for him. “Come on, think of it as keeping me company. Look at you, cooped at home all the time–you need some fresh air.”

Chanteri Left with no choice. Springer allowed himself to be pulled out the door.

While changing into his shoes he noticed they het different than usual, but the sensation was fleeting, buicy Bigmond from his thosht He reassured himself that it was probably Wine’s eerie words playing tricks on his mind.

How could he take her right… he just wouldn’t venture anywhere too high today. That should 66.