Chapter 25
The seller said he had geen the bisal spate in Kellynobia. It was originally sold to him by a couple–dressed pretty plain, like they were strapped for cash and desperate to sell Sering the quality was decent, he dropped a few thousand dollars on it without a second thought
As soon as Haron cght word of this, he couldn’t sit still. That very day, he dragged the dealer over to Kellynobia. Right now, that seller. Dustin angles, was vodi civilling in the car behind them.
***How vtise Maxwell family doing” adel Dason.
Harry glanced over his shoulder at him, noticing that Dason’s expression hadn’t changed. It made him unsure, and he stammered. “The Maxwells are a simple bunch. Ivy and Xander Maxwell had been married for three years with no kich, so they went out and bought a girl. They named her
Lola was actually Annie, Dason’s younger sister who’d gone missing
Harry pained for a second before contuming. “At first, the Maxwells treated Lola okay, but five years later, they had a son, and.
That way when they started mistreating Annie–who should’ve grown up being pampered like a princess. Now, her life was rough.
Harry guanced at the photo on his phone, showing a skinny girl with a blank stare. He silently prayed that his boss wouldn’t lose it once he saw her.
The sun cast its l
ast its last rays across the ground, and the streetlights flickered on, drawing in swarms of bugs that buzzed under the glow
Lola let out a long sigh while massaging her aching back as she swept the last bit of trash into the bin. She stood there for a moment, trying to catch her breath. But there was no time to rest–she still had to go home and make dinner for her little brother. If he didn’t get fed her parents wouldnt let her off when they got back from work.
When she walked in the door, her younger brother, Roland, was sprawled out on the couch and watching TV. His lips were bright red, and there were a few emply snack wrappers scattered on the coffee table in front of him.
At the sound of the door opening, he panicked for a split second, but once he saw it was just Lola, he quickly switched to boss mode. “Lola, take these wrappers out and toss them. And don’t even think about telling Mom and Dad I had snacks.”
Lola picked up the wrappers, unable to resist lacking her fingers. She wished she could have some too
After Lola tidied up the room, Xander and Ivy came in, laughing and joking, their faces glowing like something good was about to happen
Ivy glanced toward the kitchen, and through the grime–covered window, she could clearly see Lola stirring a bowl of food.
“Dinner’s ready, everyone.” Lola called out, her voice faint from the kitchen.
Once the food was set on the table. Ivy did something out of character. She waved Lola over from the kitchen where she usually ate and said, “Lola, Come on, sit by Mom”
What happened next made Lola even more uneasy, by smiled and offered her some meal. “Here, Lola, have some.”
Without giving Lola a chance to settle, Ivy went straight to the point. “You don’t have to sweep the streets anymore. I’ve found you a new job. Starting tomorrow, you’ll be working at Pleasure Bar”
Jander chimed in. “Let me tell you, Pleasure Bar’s got food, a place to stay, and they even give you uniforms. You won’t find a better gig than that Just like before, give them your mom’s bank card number. We’ll save all the money for you, and when you’re older, it’ll be yours.”
Lola froze for a second, her fare falling. It wasn’t the money–she never cared about that, especially since her parents had always promised to save for her, but not once had she seen a dune. What terrified her was the job at Pleasure Bar.
She also cleaned around that place, so she knew what it was like. Fights broke out there regularly, and women in skimpy outfits were always helping drunken men stumble into their cars. She’d heard the filthy kind of business that went on inside.
Once, a group of men surrounded her while she was cleaning near the bar and groped her. The memory of that encounter still haunted her. making her dread walking down that street
“I–I don’t wanna go…” Lola stammered, twisting the hem of her shirt, anxiety written all over her face.
Ivy didn’t expect Lola to refuse and slapped her hand across her face, knocking Lola and the chair to the door with a loud crash. Ivy yelled, “You think you’ve got a choice? I’ve raised you all these years, not so you can freeload. I already talked to the manager, and you’re starting tomorrow
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i lutches her stinging cherkai she dosly got up from the floor, tears streaming down her face. That slap shattered whatever courage she’d
Cin the face! The manager’s gotta see her tomorrow, and now she’s gonna show up all swollen.”
Hearing that, Ivy looked anneved she hadn’t thought of that, but what was done was done. There was no way she was going to waste a perfectly good ree to put on Tali’s face to being the swelling down.
dosen and rai.” Xander said with a sigh
Lola glamyri at Ivy, aon arcing she didn’t object, sondy took her seat again.
snill farming. The sight of Lola, looking all merk and pathetic, only fueled her anger. Without thinking, she smacked Lola hard on her back. Ben she didn i gange her strength, and Iola flew forward, crashing onto the table. The food spilled everywhere, and plates and bowls shuttered on
the fin
Lola’s face went pale as a sheet, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes. She pleaded, “Mom, I–I didn’t mean to…”
|| “You useless beat! You want all of six to starve tonight, huh?”. Ivy’s eyes went wide with rage. She grabbed a stick by the vase and started beading Lola “How dare you just flip the table? Are you throwing a tantrums at me! I raised you all these years, and this is how you repay me? Well, I must beat you to death today“:
The apartment building wasn’t well soundproof, and Ivy’s sharp, shrill voice cut through the neighborhood. Everyone nearby could hear her loud and clear. “The Maxwells are at it again, beating that poor kid”
Lola’s such a good girl. She cams money and handles all the housework–she’s way better than their precious son. Where else are they gonna find a dauchter like that?” someone else sighed
“Oh, the Maxwells are too much…” said another neighbor.
Some neighbors shook their heads in disapproval, disgusted by how Xander and Ivy treated their daughter.
“Dad, look. That’s a Rolls–Royce Cullinan, I’ve only ever seen is on TV, and this is the first time I’ve seen one in real life!” Roland, distracted by the sound of honking outside, glanced out the window and couldn’t take his eyes off what he saw,
He put down his fork, pressed his face against the glass, and stammered. “It’s real. It’s a Cullinan. And there’s a McLaren, a Bugatti too. Oh my God, so many!”
A convoy of luxury cars, ones he’d only ever seen in online ads, was driving straight down their street. His eyes were practically glued to the scene.
After his initial shock, he frowned and asked, “Are they lost or something?”
This was the most rundown street in all of Kellynobia–no way someone important would show up here.
Hearing that, Xander shoved Roland aside and peered out the window too. They’re definitely just passing through, he said confidently.
