“What’s going on, Ethan?” Martha looked at him, obviously worried.
Ethan replied, “Manager Lydia just called.
There’s gonna be an inspection at Carewell Pharmacy tomorrow, and I still have a ton of stuff to finish!”
“Come on, Ethan, time to go!
I’ll drop you off,” Cynthia said with a warm smile.
Ethan smiled awkwardly, “Captain Bloom, that’s really too much trouble for you.”
“If you don’t let me, that’s what’s really awkward. C’mon!” Cynthia didn’t give him a chance to refuse, just grabbed his arm and started walking.
Ethan laughed and didn’t push it.
As he sat in the front passenger seat of the police car, he waved back at Martha, “Sis Martha, I’m heading out. Call me if anything comes up!”
Martha smiled and nodded, waving at them as they left.
Vroom!
With Cynthia driving, the police car zoomed off.
“Thanks again, Ethan. You really saved me today,” Cynthia said, glancing at him with genuine gratitude.
Ethan scratched his short hair, a little shy, “Captain, I mean…
it’s the least I could do.”
“Hey, don’t call me ‘Captain’ anymore,” she pointed at him.
“Just call me sis.”
Ethan paused, then noticed her mock glare and teasing tone.
He chuckled and nodded, “Alright…
Sis Cynthia.”
“Good boy!” she laughed and suddenly stepped on the gas.
Woo-woo!
With flashing lights and sirens, the police escort looked pretty cool.
It was Ethan’s first time riding like this, and he couldn’t help but grin.
“By the way, what do you usually eat for lunch?” Cynthia asked casually.
“I’m not picky.
Noodles are great—hand-pulled, fried, braised, you name it.”
“Why all noodles though?” she raised a brow.
“They’re cheap,” he answered with a faint smile.
Cynthia remembered he grew up at Starhaven Orphanage and was still in college.
Of course money was tight.
She sighed softly and pointed ahead, “Let’s eat together today.
My treat.”
Ethan quickly waved it off, “Sis Cynthia, I really gotta get back to work at the pharmacy.”
“What’s more important—work or your health?” Cynthia eased off the gas, turned the wheel smoothly, and pulled into the lot of a nearby restaurant.
“This place just opened—sour fish hotpot. Pretty popular. Come try it with your big sis!”
Ethan felt a flush of warmth—aside from Martha, no beautiful woman had ever invited him out like this.
He was a bit touched.
Once parked, Cynthia waved, “Let’s go!”
Right then, another police car passed by.
The driver gave them a nod and kept going.
“Why aren’t they joining for lunch?” Ethan asked curiously.
“There’s a suspect and some evidence in the car. Gotta handle that first.” Cynthia threw an arm around Ethan’s shoulder like she was his big sister and started walking toward the entrance.
Let’s go.
Oh right—do you like spicy or mild?”
Ethan smiled, “Whatever you like, I like.
Spicy or not, I’m good either way.”
Cynthia cracked up and gave his head a light smack.
“Wow, smooth talker much? Doesn’t mean I don’t like it though.”
They walked into the restaurant, joking along the way.
Sure enough, the place was packed.
Business seemed to be booming.
Cynthia scanned the room and spotted seats in the southeast corner.
“Grab that table. I’ll go order.”
Ethan nodded and headed over.
Just as he sat down, his phone buzzed.
He took it out—WhatsApp message from Lila.
What now?
He frowned and opened the message.
Lila: Anyone else around you right now?
Ethan: No.
Lila: Open your wallet.Ethan froze for a second and pulled out his wallet.
Lila’s voice came through, calm and cool: “Check the innermost corner of your wallet.”
Ethan quickly unzipped it and rummaged around.
There, tucked in the corner, was a tiny silver tracking device—smaller than a pinky nail.
Just a small piece of tech.
“Found it,” he said.
Lila continued, “When you get into Cynthia’s patrol car later, plant that device—make sure no one notices.”
Cold sweat broke out on Ethan’s forehead.
His mind raced, How the hell does she know I’m with Cynthia?
Has she been tailing me?
He scanned his surroundings, then glanced down at his clothes and casual shoes.
A strange unease crept over him.
He checked his right heel—and sure enough, a bug was lodged inside.
Damn…
my assassin wife’s been tracking me.
Lila’s voice came again, insistent: “Don’t let anyone see you do it.”
Ethan let out a cold laugh and replied, “Sorry.
I’m not doing it.”
“Cynthia’s a cop. There’s no way I’m gonna betray her like that. She’s treated me too well for me to stab her in the back.”
Lila’s voice dropped lower, sharper.
“You do realize what happens when you go against me, don’t you?”
Ethan replied calmly, “Well, when you’re on the field, orders don’t always apply.”
The moment he hit send, he blinked.
All their messages suddenly vanished from his screen.
What the…?
He scratched his short hair in confusion.
Then it hit him—this phone’s been tampered with.
Just then, Cynthia walked over with a friendly smile.
“The pickled fish will be out soon,” she said as she handed him a bottle of orange juice.
“Drink something first.”
“Thanks.” Ethan took the juice, his eyes lingering on Cynthia.
She was smart, kind, and beautiful—there was no way he could hurt her.
Even if it meant getting beaten to death by Lila back home, he wouldn’t sell her out.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” Cynthia teased, grinning.
“Is it my face you like, or my figure?”
“No, no,” he shook his head quickly.
“So you don’t like my face or my body?”
“I mean—I like both!”
“Oh?
Then what were you looking at just now?”
“I…” Ethan pointed at her lips.
“Your lips. They’re honestly kind of mesmerizing.”
Cynthia chuckled.
“What’s so special about them?”
“They’re soft with a touch of pink. The color’s great. They even have this subtle natural scent. Honestly… I’d bet they taste amazing. So yeah, your lips really check all the boxes—color, scent, flavor.”
She burst out laughing.
“Ethan, who knew you were this smooth with women? I kind of like it.”
There was an ease between them that made Cynthia feel like they’d known each other forever.
Soon, the food arrived—pickled fish and some appetizers.
They dug in, chatting as they ate.
From time to time, Cynthia even picked out food for Ethan, making the atmosphere even more intimate.
Just as they were eating, Ethan’s phone rang.
He gave Cynthia a quick nod and stepped aside to answer.
It was an unknown number.
That was the sign—it was probably her.
“Ethan, plant the tracker in Cynthia’s car,” Lila’s voice was icy, emotionless.
Ethan gritted his teeth.
“Lila, I’m not doing it. Even if you kill me, I still won’t.”
A low, cold laugh came through the line.
“Do you know where I am right now?”
Ethan tensed.
“Where?”
“I’m standing right outside Starhaven Orphanage,” she said, slowly.
“And I can see your precious Martha.”
His hands clenched into fists, jaw tightening.
Rage boiled beneath the surface.