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Chapter 18 Only Twenty-Two Days Left on the Countdown
Tracy glanced at Quinton, then pointed behind him. “Mr. Quinton, my car’s right there. Could you move aside?”
While he hesitated, she slipped past, walked straight to her car, opened the door, started the engine, and drove off.
Not a moment’s hesitation.
Was this really the same woman who used to cling to Mr. Gaunt endlessly, never letting him go? Or was she now playing some new tactic, retreating to advance, hoping to catch his attention another way?
Just then Chandler’s phone rang. Yvonne was calling. He seemed to have just woken up; squinting, he answered.
Her sweet voice came through, “My brother just heard about the Z matter and wants to talk to you in person. Can you come now?”
Chandler rubbed his tired brow. “Send me the location. I’ll come right away.”
“Okay.” Yvonne’s voice was soft and pleased.
After hanging up, she sent the address. Chandler lowered his window and told Quinton, “Drive. Gold Club.”
“Yes, sir.” Quinton hurried into the driver’s seat, and the car rolled out of the garage.
After returning home, Tracy ate dinner, then shut herself in her room to polish her speech. The symposium was tomorrow; she had to finish.
She typed for hours, writing, deleting, rewriting, until she finally had something she was satisfied with.
When she printed it out, she glanced at her phone. Ten o’clock. She rushed off to find pajamas and shower.
Fresh from the bathroom, she went downstairs, tore off the July 8th page of the calendar, and dropped it in the trash.
Another day gone.
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17:03 Thu, Feb 19
Chapter 18 Only Twenty-Two Days Left on the Countdown
The countdown: twenty-two days left.
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She carried a glass to the water dispenser, popped a pill from her bottle, and swallowed it with a gulp of water.
The door clicked open just then-Chandler was back, reeking of alcohol, like he’d just come from a dinner engagement.
He noticed the pill bottle in her hand and asked casually, “Not feeling well?”
Tracy tossed the pill into her mouth, washed it down, and said, “Nothing. Just my old stomach problem flaring up. It’s only painkillers.”
Chandler changed his shoes and headed upstairs without another word. He didn’t ask what was wrong, didn’t even glance at the bottle.
If he had looked for even a second, he would’ve seen the label: cancer medication. But he hadn’t.
Her condition didn’t matter to him at all. He didn’t even want to see.
Tracy slipped the bottle into her bag, filled her glass, and also went upstairs.
The next morning, Tracy rose early. Chandler’s shoes were missing from the entryway-he hadn’t stayed home overnight.
She noticed, but thought nothing of it, and went on with her morning. In the walk-in closet, she spent a long time deciding before settling on a pale blue blouse with an ivory skirt suit.
hadn’t
She put on light makeup and a pair of earrings she hadn’t worn in years.
In the mirror, her reflection pleased her. Chandler had never liked her dressing so formally; these outfits had sat untouched in her wardrobe for years.
The symposium started at two in the afternoon. After lunch, Tracy left early.
At the Northport Convention Center, the venue was already bustling.
Two security guards stood at the entrance, scanning invitations before allowing anyone inside.
As Tracy bent over her bag to find her invitation, a voice she knew all too well came from above.
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17:03 Thu, Feb 19
Chapter 18 Only Twenty-Two Days Left on the Countdown
“Tracy, what are you doing here?”
She turned and saw Jared and Chase-with Yvonne trailing behind.
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Yvonne hurried up, slipped her arm through Tracy’s, and smiled brightly. “You’re here for the symposium too? Perfect, we can go in together.”
Watching her, Chase frowned. “Yvonne, why are you so close with her? Did you forget how she hurt you last time? With just a bachelor’s degree, she probably couldn’t even get an invitation. And she dares show her face here?”
So, in Chase’s eyes, she was that useless. Tracy lowered her lashes, letting them veil the flicker of hurt in her eyes.
Perhaps results didn’t matter to them at all. What mattered was whether Yvonne was upset.
Yvonne stuck out her tongue playfully. “That’s not true, Chase. I’ve told you so many times, sister didn’t hurt me-you all just misunderstood.”
Chase gave a derisive snort. “You’d better stay away from her. She’s been rebellious since she was a kid, always scheming.”
“Chase, don’t talk about sister like that. You’ll make her sad.” Yvonne scolded lightly, her tone
sweet.
Tracy coolly pulled her arm free. Her voice was icy. “You’re right. I’ve been a bad seed since childhood. So stay away from me.
“You’re the noble Xanders. I’m not. There’s no need to gaslight me.”
She paused, then added, “And whether or not I embarrass myself here-that’s my business. Nothing to do with you.
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“As long as you keep your mouths shut, and I keep mine, no one will ever know. To avoid unnecessary trouble, let’s just be strangers. Don’t you agree?”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
