Chapter 166
Chapter 166 Drawing Out the Vein
20
Finished
Dinner ended, and the camp slowly fell silent. Out here in the mountains the quiet felt heavy, broken only by the occasional calls of wild animals in the distance.
Lillian lay on the inflatable mat in her tent, eyes closed, her spiritual sense brushing across the area. By two in the morning most of the camp had sunk into its deepest sleep. Only a few men stood guard. Once she was certain no one was stirring, she sat up, pulled a black tracksuit from her space, and tucked her hair under a baseball cap.
Her steps were light as she slipped outside and vanished into the shadows, heading toward the cave. The entrance was unguarded-since they hadn’t struck ivory yet, no one bothered to watch it. Inside, the darkness pressed close, rubble scattered across the floor. She relied on her sharp night vision to make her way down the twisting tunnel.
At the very end, she crouched low. After a moment’s hesitation, she pressed her palm against the ground and willed the vein into her space. At once, her hand stuck fast, as though fused to the stone. No matter how she pulled, it wouldn’t come free.
The vein was massive, draining her energy at an alarming rate. Minutes bled into hours. By the time the sky outside began to pale, her face had gone ghostly white, her strength all but gone-yet her palm remained locked to the ground.
Footsteps echoed at the cave’s mouth.
“Has anyone seen the girl from yesterday?” Richard’s voice carried down the tunnel.
“No, sir. Nowhere nearby p>
“What about inside the cave p>
“No one’s checked p>
Then Red’s sharp voice: “I told you she couldn’t be trusted. Yesterday she claimed she was just going for a walk. Most likely she was scouting the way, and now she’s.run p>
“Hmph. Where could a child run in these mountains?” an old man scoffed.
“Search inside. She might be here p>
Their footsteps grew closer.
Lillian’s heart hammered in her ears. Cold sweat slid down her temple. Then Red’s voice cracked through the dark, furious. “You-what are you doing here p>
By sheer luck, the transfer ended at that instant. Lillian snatched up a loose stone and turned with an easy smile. “Didn’t we spend half the day digging here yesterday? I couldn’t sleep, so I came to take another look. What, do I need to file a report every time I enter the cave p>
Stones scattered at her feet gave weight to her excuse, and suspicion eased from their faces.
Red seethed. This girl-just a few words and the doubt was gone. “At dawn you sneak around here, and we’re supposed to believe you have no secrets p>
1/2
Chapter 166 Drawing Out the Vein
(20
Finished
Lillian tossed the stone aside, smothering the exhaustion that gnawed at her bones. “Are you insane? I’m fifteen. What kind of secrets could I possibly have? You think I brought explosives to blow up your precious mine? Try using that thing in your head for once p>
The others exchanged uneasy looks. She had a point. She was just a schoolgirl. How much could she really
do?
If only they knew the truth—that this very girl had already stripped away the vein of top-grade ivory beneath their feet-they’d spit blood from regret.
Richard studied her carefully, then asked with surprising gentleness, “So? How much longer until it’s exposed p>
“Not long. Look at the striations here, and the moss on the stones. Half a day, maybe until dusk p>
She pointed out markings with practiced ease, pure fabrication. In reality, she’d already seen everything with a glance.
Relieved, Richard ordered the workers to continue digging.
As they filed out, Nicholas, the ruined old man, rasped from beneath his hat. “Ms. Lillian, your gambling skill is remarkable. Do you have some special technique p>
Her smile was ice. “Isn’t that a ridiculous question? Gambling stones has always been part knowledge, part luck. If I’ve been good at it, it just means I’ve been lucky. What else is there to say p>
The old man’s voice slithered out coldly. “Then Ms. Lillian’s luck is truly extraordinary. I look forward to working together p>
This girl was slippery-her words as smooth as oil, impossible to grip.
“Don’t bother,” she said flatly. “Once you dig up your ivory, I’m going back to school. I don’t want your rewards. Just don’t ever come looking for me again p>
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked out.
The men watched her go, their faces dark. Could she really be only fifteen? So difficult to control. If she couldn’t be bro
Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.