Chapter 180
Chapter 180:
She was organizing her tools on the desk. Not a medical kit, but a set of lockpicks, a small signal jammer, and a collection of silver needles.
She felt a sneeze coming on. Achoo.
“Bless you,” a voice dripped with sarcasm from the doorway.
Vivian leaned against the frame, wrinkling her nose. “What is that smell? It smells like a compost heap in here. Are you brewing potions p>
Aurora didn’t look up from her task. She quickly threw a cloth over her tools. “It’s sage, Vivian. To cleanse the bad energy. You should try it p>
“We have maids for cleaning,” Vivian scoffed. “And air fresheners. Real ones. Not… whatever this hippie nonsense is p>
“Did you need something?” Aurora asked, turning to face her.
“Just reminding you about tomorrow,” Vivian smirked. “The Gala. Don’t be late. And try not to wear anything… flammable p>
Vivian laughed at her own joke and turned to leave.
Just then, Jones appeared at the end of the hallway. He held a massive bouquet of wildflowers and herbs, looking comically large against his tactical vest.
“Miss Vance,” Jones called out, his voice carrying down the corridor. “A courier left this at the main gate for you. Security scanned it. It’s clean p>
Vivian stopped, her eyes widening as Jones handed the arrangement to Aurora. It wasn’t lilies or roses. It was an explosion of rare, medicinal flowers—purple coneflowers, valerian blossoms, and white sage.
“Who sent weeds?” Vivian laughed, though the laughter was brittle. “Did your slumlord friend send an apology p>
Aurora reached into the bouquet. There was no card. But as she leaned in, she caught the scent. Cedar. Rain. And a hint of expensive tobacco.
gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․com is where your journey begins
Her heart skipped a beat. It was a physical reaction she couldn’t control. Her pulse jumped in her wrist.
Elias.
He was here. Not just in the city. Here.
She frowned, touching a petal. Why can’t you just stay away?
But deep down, a warmth spread through her chest.
“Well?” Vivian demanded. “Who is it p>
“An admirer,” Aurora said coolly.
“Probably a gardener,” Vivian muttered, walking away. “Make sure you throw those out before they infest the house with bugs p>
Aurora waited until Vivian was gone. She reached deeper into the foliage. Her fingers brushed against a small, thick piece of paper hidden near the stems.
She pulled it out. It wasn’t a love note. It was a single line of text, written in sharp, angular handwriting.
Checkmate soon.
Aurora looked out the window. Through the trees, she could see the lights of the neighboring estate flickering on. She shook her head, a small, involuntary smile touching her lips.
“You crazy fool p>