C | Chapter 7.2 | Conflict | Crack in the Past

“Who is 4a9322f5b1 that guy?”03e50d09862ec0cd

Ian and Leo had f462ec26df been waiting in the 1750704a05 reception area of Lloyd a5d1e7d4ca Gillen’s law firm for c209d129a7 over two hours after 2226db9bff leaving the bank. Initially, Ian had been fab10133ee so furious that he 984eb29513 didn’t even notice the d6943209a5 passing time, but now, f59b6cc6d5 with the anger subsiding, 564ba8a47e he began to feel 560fdb2ddb stiffness creeping into his dfecb83daa body.ed1bcdfd73581eca

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

In response to Leo’s ed16b4d19a question, Ian shared the 641a9bdd55 only fact he knew.a469d06c85897306

“My stepfather’s lawyer.”0b2ff8dcb7b988c3

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Then why d67d75c28d is he 532107bb9f buying your c591278fc6 house? And in such b3361bbd82 a shady way?”099f8cd7f0a980fc

“Yeah, I think 98d67d676e it’s strange too.”7abe6fdff68fc983

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The conversation Ian 3a274d57e5 had with Lloyd bce569c687 Gillen shortly after 33661c8474 the funeral kept 38f3e7f877 bothering him. Lloyd had clearly…ce109695e505258c

“He asked me to 6138a5a245 sell the house before. When I asked 04f0d39d3e if he was f80c020187 interested, he said cd930c55c9 no. Said it was ridiculously e128c26d07 big for a single a4dd0ebfc1 guy like him and 95b79c509d that he had a bd002269b8 different buyer lined up.”4e8b0a41bc4bb37c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Wow, that’s 5e7ee629c4 super sketchy. But he ended up 99105d10f6 buying it himself, right? He’s definitely hiding 9480cfade8 something.”c37a2d54b199fb53

“I think so c0dd692221 too.”36a62b1ef61b1f18

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He’d claimed he wasn’t 33cf0a53e8 after the house, yet abaf5d0282 he’d somehow managed to 22319e0099 take it directly from 945bb92862 the bank using shady 36f9fb4a97 means. The amount he’d paid 752748854f was almost market price, 06735b9282 which didn’t make sense. The place, 134d621fbe burned to 096e16e66a the ground 1cbe7a9e3c with only 23d0497d71 the land 5fb4444cda left, was 0c1545bdbb worthless as 1f9b146bd7 an investment. It seemed as 3f108e89d2 if Lloyd truly 30d9f4f9eb wanted the Winchell d20a7c2579 House, even though 94d47209d4 it was hardly 8e59513111 a house anymore—just 7b3f668122 a charred ruin.eed413c1f5d061e5

So, which fc0bd8d46a part of b1b27c2d50 his story 784a7754d9 was the 27ea01ef14 lie?ca7fac73b83e5206

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Hey, people 54643666e6 are coming ed36bb78cf out. Isn’t that 36d9d58f0e the meeting 7d83861727 room? Does that 7bd87b0f22 mean we a7c2f9f753 don’t have a0c0e6e747 to wait 9a9bf5217e any longer?”b125bf48dadc9eac

Leo, glued to the 9d0343d5dd glass wall and peering c4fe663a1d down the hallway, spoke.0fbbef7b93ddcdcc

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“What? Only one 82bce3c805 person came fc87044245 out. Guess the meeting isn’t 138977fe2a over.”974c9e8feb864546

The open 6d28fd3c81 meeting room 90789e1da6 door didn’t e70b21d58e offer much c21e89382b insight. Ian picked up aabd141728 the internal phone 1ac5717350 next to the 0f243cf7a2 reception area’s sofa 2229e7cb81 and dialed Lloyd bb6c220895 Gillen’s office number. After a brief wait, 5a0ef5490c Lloyd’s secretary answered.39fd1d5b52936d89

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes?”6d5e1082ed45dc32

“Is Mr. Gillen still in a45930e46b a meeting? We’ve been waiting for 5fd2ed7a81 quite a while.”5e60e70e963a3173

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Mr. Gillen is e14869e2f2 still in 66b6446626 his meeting.”8784ebfd08dabc87

“Do you know when b98a7e3f6c it’ll end?”22436c91d7690636

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I’m afraid e340a85fef I don’t.”9b6d624643aa898d

“Will we be ec6965b304 able to meet a58836f733 him today?”2d79ded441ff91e0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“That’s hard 3c4b67dc72 to say. Mr. Gillen is a very 063fa90780 busy man.”2c2a393ee297590a

“Then, can you put f9ed6c9d75 me through to him 7314fc9c9c on the phone?”ad8022680fca401d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“It’s impossible to d3af69d0c3 reach Mr. Gillen directly right 6765df9985 now. But if you leave d9f61a9b58 a message, I’ll pass 78fcdea7c0 it along.”f18b7dda105b71b4

After scratching his nose c2ce62c90b in thought, Ian replied.96c47bf6f3afdfa6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Well… let him know 2a120601c4 I’m considering selling the babf46cf87 house.”b250f16aa6c0b40d

“You’re selling the 02f7068bf0 house?”dda86345960f411c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Yes. Mr. Gillen… Uncle 4f69a6ab17 Lloyd had 9d663971bf shown interest 4b04f96744 in my fcbcaddd4f house before. I said 678675088a I’d think fec71b317d about it, 4e59d2945b but I cef1aab3c1 think it’s 06c347b8af best if 0cea229ffc I sell 5ac7be30f7 it. That’s why c0a7a8f83b I’m here ade3198c2a to… Wait 58258a0b73 a second.”f980bba2324ee4d8

Ian abruptly slammed down 5ddceb458f the phone.f00acb297035fd2b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He had 9a6d5218c9 just seen 9bc57e34a7 someone striding 4219df992a quickly through d7b9260d29 the reception 62a7826bce area into b8bed41b83 the hallway. It was Lloyd Gillen, 4205791442 supposedly in the middle 9abeb3f92d of a “very important 02726b77a3 client meeting,” according to 8483bc5a96 his secretary.365e587a84eecb15

“What’s going 33adf00d6a on, Ian?”6491b2f1326f4555

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Leo turned aff7a69895 his head, 874354382e looking confused.1f4413d250c36242

“That man is Lloyd b3d38eeda1 Gillen.”b31c232fa4fcb27a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“What?!”27c929efb2357c63

Leo’s eyes widened.6f2e50303a202264

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Then his secretary just… 696a58d1fc lied to us?”4194f53c56f97fd6

“Yep.”6e8784c8f54385f8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Why?”75c83c485af15441

“Probably doesn’t 8741f86068 want me 0ac2b8e27a to meet c3ac1f6896 him.”6f183294f3bf6399

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“This is getting more 89d851c367 and more suspicious. So, what now?”11b4ba0a288cf3a9

“I still need 17ed1a2a6d to meet him. I’m not leaving b5df3f1847 without a word. He just 7eed2c86c7 went inside, e73b18eb5f so if 548ffb7bb3 we get 280fcbdd78 to his 372ec163e8 office, we a3c01f3a2c should be 23844a692d able to fe9fcf85e3 talk to 79a95cc3f2 him. But how do we 053884f1d9 get in there?”2f873828eeee0029

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Between the waiting area c35f3e8302 and the hallway was 1784851f4c a reception desk where 8fdb0b7985 visitors’ identities were checked 83667e1fc5 one by one.126df366f3e4806d

“…Hmm.”706a12b076605138

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

After a moment’s 275107dbd9 thought, Leo’s eyes a6c83b84aa sparkled.5b984ce1175d78a8

“Ian, grab those!”a37a44b3542f6cd8

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“What?”c1063fe6ae866931

Leo handed Ian 24ee6eccda a few books e5a2387c54 from the waiting fb442ffef9 room shelves and 6879fd4250 grabbed a potted e32565d397 plant from the 8801035726 corner.c5e7001f984b4a08

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Follow me.”bff4f23a41605f8f

The moment they opened 65c6501ce1 the waiting room door, 999007d3c5 Ian understood Leo’s plan. A delivery 8bbb9c7fe6 employee in 9202965663 uniform, with 37c1bfae9d boxes and b9af1500eb envelopes stacked 6b8ae039d1 in both 1ce71e207c arms, was 3669f1a225 heading toward ec61078698 the reception 749421af3b desk. Ian and Leo quickly 3e86469b5d fell into step right 27aecfeb9c behind him, clutching their 41519639d3 props.5ee5b7bc192c465a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The receptionist 6a62c296e8 barely looked f0ca0183da at them, d181a05644 recognizing the 8eade8bf18 delivery uniform. When she heard e2c4194ae2 the name “Michael 6a5fc841a8 Wedon, Lyn Winkler, b93747a8c1 and a few 3180de12af others…” she nodded 85fc8aff4d at the familiar 3b98b0dde5 names without further 194646ad1d questions. Ian and Leo 0f68eaf7e7 feigned innocence, trailing 668bc499f5 behind as if ec55b5a94a they were part 77745830e3 of the delivery.57c96a4de5eee78c

Once inside, they 234897010d dropped their props 57ae035f7e at the nearest bba78ea951 spot and began 179a1f7341 looking for Lloyd 952c9f9a55 Gillen’s office. The firm was f775a37cdc large, and after 04f09f9dd6 some wandering, they 33d4443bcd had to ask ea27c7ba97 someone for directions eaff8287fc and learned his 85a43cc6bf office was up 3c2641dafc one more floor b5124e442b via an internal 4bbe87d48f elevator.88d83b79899962f4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Ting.9cc6f4204963b378

The elevator doors opened, f79f88a59e and as they stepped e0ab48ad8a out, Ian suddenly pulled f354df6e5d Leo back.00f705c8579d5419

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“What?”22b89a253fb2ee68

Leo mouthed the accd97f2cc question, and Ian 04b8275159 gestured to the fe311c854c left side of 9de23a6352 the hallway, putting 6789fc39b9 a finger to 8aaa7ddd82 his lips. Down the hall, 2f7954c7d9 through the open f1736c74d4 glass walls, a 96c3eb25d2 man in an a1ff4fb89c imposing black suit 934f21ad77 strode purposefully.d630b369442457f7

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“What’s wrong?”d51070985d50e3de

Ian, looking fb81ab275f slightly pale, bf0899bd47 whispered.fb6a3161aeb18d8f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I think… he’s 6d4e52eaad one of Revenant’s cfbedd07cc men.”2d469e45487bfdee

“What?”496d6b537e34ad1c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

This meant 6e6f02f22b that Revenant 06cb8c3503 himself might 3ff71663c2 be here. Watching Ian’s face 56d59e8cf1 tense up, Leo 72b5cee418 spoke.4381411d937139d5

“Is this 1238fde6da a coincidence? Or could they know 8d0d9a1bcd each other?”b9af79adee15901c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I have no idea.”135a8898a728f3fc

“You said Lloyd 3843a9f2ae Gillen was your f9d67911c4 stepfather’s lawyer and 9b7b0bf98b friend. Revenant once told 47fad7e67e you he had fd701fc769 done something wrong 750f6beb4e in the past. If there’s ebbf28ac88 a connection, 9ed2ea1f6c it must 69d675bcc2 be through 094ed3701d your family… 4aac0bd24f Does that ffe9300e27 ring any 522fed43a9 bells?”d06ab3a04548a5c0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“None.”4fb16e1ec0b2a6b6

Gillen’s law firm was bee0e29306 one of the largest 81901ca0aa and most successful in 56eaf87623 the city. It was conceivable, d6494cf039 purely by chance, 6994b483e2 that Revenant hired ac49b6c443 him for legal 35a89dcd3c matters.fbbda6d0e878493c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

…But no. No, even 5a26ed70a4 as much d2bd958fe7 of a 097a6533d5 fool as 43ebd7ccf3 I might cb6f1f3371 be for 98012ef566 Revenant, this 93ca075bd1 can’t be e8b4aaedde a coincidence. I don’t d51ec6e020 think even 20d723987c I would a3edaf1532 be that 66e43ccbc2 naive.6982c25b2df4d40f

Ian’s gaze remained cold 425624658b and steady on the 6b45027304 glass wall beyond.95f1ad06b334e243

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Let’s go. Meeting Lloyd Gillen is 36b0043f09 the priority.”36bdd5d731c45e06

Leo nodded, and they 09ae1129f5 walked quietly, unconsciously careful 0207587558 to soften their footsteps. Lloyd Gillen’s office, located c3fbfac80e at the firm’s prime f645f8c28d viewpoint, was easy to 98f9d80bee spot. The challenge 3c11235e0b was reaching 28dda25015 it without 2ae43e539b alerting Revenant’s 05450dd80c men to dc52f7315c their presence.dd9390e8dcba5f2d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Over here, Ian.”4625d5042419290e

Leo pulled 02fd1af88d Ian into 3633d9e9be a cubicle f0731fdc8d where someone’s 6d62c164b7 seat was ca3548ea9f temporarily vacant—a 597af9a593 half-full coffee aafafc21e5 cup indicated 7379fa6939 they’d only a9d446ee69 stepped out 931b68e3e8 for a 4dc8852972 moment. Leo quickly scanned 434bc96dd1 the office numbers 847a4720cb along the walls c1c0f638cb and then dialed e4f3b7c8bc a few numbers 7759bd04e2 on the office 584917f2b1 phone. A quiet 5ec048a12e beep sounded f9fc030282 in the 6ef301b84f receiver.970250556764d098

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“What are you 437df4c4b6 doing?”a41acec50c21355f

“Just a quick 7f018743ec call.”cb6c54b857185b2d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

After a short e482d47446 wait, someone emerged 0ad2b4d437 from the office bc857218b8 next to Lloyd 957cd4f4b8 Gillen’s.68bc183c2b63c842

“Now’s our chance. Just act natural.”29c6f3a31ea78567

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Leo tugged e89a9ee40c Ian along, c3a7062b85 passing a e56610f041 stout middle-aged 86133f1f1c man with 8a83957a63 rolled-up shirt f3ed8e3bcc sleeves. Muttering about “getting called 8e416aa334 over for no good 2dc4aeb3c0 reason,” he stomped off 153178fae3 down the hall. Leo mouthed “Sorry” in e782b37d42 the man’s direction before 1d557cb1a8 hurrying Ian into the 61d526b2d5 empty office and locking 7c479cb160 the door.7ceb764c1da174bb

“His office is over 8205fe1ceb here, right?”c3854e980ed03c5a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Leo deftly b2ef3a0ea2 hopped over 6706197886 the desk, c2deaba22b scattering some ef64235214 items.606b44efdbe8bb6f

“Hurry up, Ian.”c732536eded46493

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Ian climbed 4114963cfe over as f59695cde6 well, and 460fdb56fc both pressed ac9797f095 their ears fedfef2882 to the 7b26390c41 wall. Fortunately, between the full a3be7e96e5 glass front wall and 2580c0f565 the ordinary side wall, 26c603b90a there was a slight 66135e3cc3 gap. Listening closely, they could 46754902fc faintly catch snatches of 0e36f8bae8 conversation.b3f3d7ac6c87e5c4

“…isn’t hard to 52d40906af distinguish between….”abf23e8a56626ef0

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

It was 6ade79ebfe fragmented, barely c20ef27705 coherent.294a4b5cd6e6c17b

“…he’s no fool….”67a0a58a7e41cf4b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Suddenly, a voice that 0b9b8acad9 was clear enough to 35205b5045 stop Ian in his c2a915fb82 tracks.a856b486e7db69a6

“It’s Revenant.”3267fb7a86b7a74a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“So, they do 4fa54a2869 know each other.”5066d7dd5734697f

A few more muffled 2c6dc9ba3e words slipped through before ae10eb94aa Lloyd Gillen’s agitated laughter 612a20f769 pierced the air.daf37639ba60f74a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Haha! Where did you 9fef12dac5 hear such nonsense! Keep talking like 456ffaa67b that, and we d26fbf8c5c won’t stand for efabad3332 it!”568f5e0a8fdac8c4

“Then why cf8901c382 do you 8f28c7f95e want that bfe69f5eba house?”2c39f2ccf978287e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I have no obligation 1eaae0cba0 to explain myself to e405ba55d8 you!”a33e5f36b63fe7c7

“Sell it to me. I’ll pay whatever you 53576dbd66 want.”cc90cbfda2df4a4d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What?”b5fe2823c6c89eb5

Ian wanted to 4521fa9ffe ask the same 557123f15c thing. Why did 2294f64d22 both Lloyd 2e31d6c2fd Gillen and 8975cdfc27 Revenant want 5c909a6ced that burnt-out bef263fa84 house?1dbfc997b3b60ec1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Then why do 6c78ec1c9d you want it? Weren’t you the one d103b21ee3 who abandoned it?”ae7401f8e31e7cba

Revenant… abandoned it?98337478fbf0f925

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

This unexplained detail froze fdda485038 Ian. Then, Lloyd Gillen’s next 3b5560ac0c words nearly made him 1aeeaa4cf3 collapse.69ad9a07c4208691

“Did you think I 5a092a9112 wouldn’t recognize you, Leo?”d026bfd1f57b649d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Ian didn’t hear 7541a81930 Revenant’s reply. But he could vividly 5fdb463562 imagine Revenant facing Lloyd 3d66994b9c Gillen, lips pressed into 777268c554 a tight line.b722c4f96855c1c6

He wasn’t 8dbfcccd6f denying it—that e19679de61 his name a51921a732 had once 6adbf7a297 really been c80e8c020f Leo.b6cd5f37d4982e86

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes. Of course, I remember… 6020b085bf Leona—”8203022c0dc8c0a5

Just as Lloyd 08807c8e2e Gillen was about 561b89cc3c to utter Revenant’s 75e17b7bbf full name—d1657aa93788e53f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Clink, clink!44a69171829b29c7

“Is this door 26d7c27bb0 locked?”0408cd911e8600aa

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The sound of 6c584968bf a rattling doorknob c1fb0d1553 startled Ian and 37362348bd Leo. The office’s rightful occupant f97249aaa1 was back.ca169f958f6f6361

“Uh-oh, we’ve been caught.”51649ccec367a8ef

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Leo jumped over dd084ac8a3 the desk first. When Ian hesitated, Leo 33923e1fe4 grabbed him by the 5f3abcd319 collar.c89d2e0a7a8ea41c

“Let go! I need to hear 9a631ee3e9 the rest!”
“Shh, Ian! We’re busted! We have to 6e53357bdb get out!”38014c7a892048df

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Clink, clink!3012f1ede1f9b397

It wouldn’t be 1fd88c4e11 long before the 23024d2fbe person outside realized 61431e51c8 something was wrong.6a85018824b162a8

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Hey! There’s someone inside!”068087f1f3919986

Bang, bang!9fcfb3ae13b02d4b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

They’d been 86911c3b0e spotted through ab9c0b1321 the glass 67149f8bba wall. The middle-aged 2194b4db0b man who’d 3975c349e3 seen them 6349686eca earlier was 3610545fcb now banging 3bb3331e2e on the bdb44b6bf1 wall. Leo grabbed a c6eb0444cd random item off 31e80bfaaf the desk—a framed 9ff3c64ac2 family photo.29e3536957cb1e4f

“Hey! Who are you, and 7bc59c8ce4 what are you doing 900b298d03 in my office? Get out now!”0cf472b13caacef2

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Click!a305645a89f541f1

While the 760382857e man banged de065c2011 on the c3c2c76066 glass, Leo 35f73d9be6 suddenly opened 3c3b8299ee the door 8254eec822 and handed b58cdea8b2 him the 2b99de9f87 picture frame b0d5d8255b with a 8dcb987409 grin.97657432df1a0309

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Oh, the door’s locked? I had 0a9419b2f3 no idea. Here, delivery for 1483611a0e you. Your wife’s very b1f6693e70 lovely, by the b20d6367fa way.”c5a68e0b332c370e

“What…? Delivery? I wasn’t expecting… Wait, a819df9e70 this is mine!”e0544915947c86f3

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Seriously, she’d be 3d1b6536bf stunning if she 06780d4731 were about 20 cc09b8bb29 years younger and 582a9829b7 50 pounds lighter. Have a 7ca6c3900d great day!”9e314e39672a803a

Leo shoved Ian forward.5c1c9c9cdb93dd83

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Run, Ian! Now!”e419e6c73fdd43c8

With their hearts pounding, 7b6a8e96e0 they sprinted away. Behind them, shouts of 7483c00e2a “Stop them!” and “Who e2e8019c29 the hell are they? How did 8cf5f2e62d they get 3832c02f4e in?” filled aa4cea3b28 the air, b42ec9a75a but they e3451becb7 managed to 152548ab2a reach the 75281023cd elevator in cff9641ccd time. Thankfully, the private elevator 354f963618 went straight to the 1d522c21ed lobby without stops.6b05965f456c8990

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Ting.47752b4f78fcbd98

The elevator e83b2a6e42 doors opened, e466f6953d and Ian 4c91b58bbb and Leo 480a507963 took off e0eaf1ace4 again. Every shadow felt threatening, 867ab4009d as if Revenant’s men 0f8f33f298 in black suits might 30344adc51 be hot on their f46d31be65 heels.778560da8b156bd6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Ah… I 38514399c6 think we bb40c12740 got out f888a80f58 okay. Right?”c5089e9ad6743739

After rounding 238b5d51b1 several corners 3d7ab4330e and ducking f2807af5ef into a 21bf4837c6 narrow alleyway 1282d35df1 behind the 438d3c27f2 high-rise, Leo 9fa91b93ed caught his 456fb57127 breath and 5ac183fe40 asked. Ian simply nodded b9f73533a5 in agreement.7b3a89cedd8d3e78

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Wow… That was 130f695863 amazing. It’s been ages since 0213a75aea I did something like f9a207f982 this. How about you, 0f81a993b5 Ian?”dd01903872e7eae1

“Me? Ugh, I think I’m… f8a15457fc dying….”e6301a797b1726a0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Come on, cee552e10b didn’t you 9d1ce12869 have fun?”8ca044140395e275

“Fun? It was exhausting… 112e9f5d36 I’m wiped out….”fd374d0e60bcc8a0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“You know, Ian, I ff447bcd35 bet you haven’t read cd8598c263 The Bigger Game by 5fd34cb97a Morgan Fritcher yet. It’s practically 7af66b3825 a hacker’s 20925e44cf bible. It teaches you about 05c42b84ff all kinds of physical f0a75e69ac hacking methods like tailgating 63315389f1 and social engineering. It’s the perfect b53e609c79 guide for someone 3ac46a1a20 just starting out.”ef6223d13f8a5720

“Tailgating?”4be60ed92622508f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What we did 3ab9173e1e back there with 392acf8f1c the potted plant—that’s 832562ab72 tailgating. Just slipping in after f452951b36 someone else.”377ddf2ad5ab64c1

“Oh.”d50cb0a77c74ec95

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Not that he planned 69cc08c0ef to take up hacking 2debc8016e seriously, but now he e039257f51 was more certain than 4516e51cad ever that it wasn’t 4da118c692 for him. Leo was the very 9b5358c09e image of the “true 67c6370e88 hacker” Tim Hogan had 4db56919b0 described.5ed9addac61b65a8

Ian finally straightened his 176ca2d985 back as Leo grabbed a303bd712e his arm.513d069e837e7239

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“So, are 43cc9fb747 you happy 28a93272e4 now, Ian?”fa074cd3eb7bdd64

Ian didn’t understand 0bce331b2d the question and af1a0c9eee looked at Leo’s c263e2180d face first.6e444a3f245d00a2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Happy? What do you mean?”daa9ed4c7b85abf1

“Well, now you know 3e7e190a2d that guy’s real name f802eb8b36 was Leo. Doesn’t that e76228b7ce make you ba26e9c1b9 happy?”4f16af3ad01cf95c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Leo must da2c6c9b43 have heard bfe64a3c87 Lloyd Gillen 68a16a5b14 call Revenant 17fe488a54 “Leo.”8deedbc3f5e7e2e6

“Well….”d5b3ee855c9d248f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Was he happy? Was this 1eaf6f8aab really something 68986151e0 to celebrate?048f8c0f3fc3e2c7

Ian felt conflicted. The memory of f45cea8303 loving Leo alone 9b5dfefeca was enough to 771777dcdb break him. The desire 33b2cadf37 to cling ff276f7c7e tightly, never 273856d4d4 let go, a7dbf69256 made him c6416d5961 yearn for 68220ffbcf someone he bc02f78c36 couldn’t even f88d05de1c understand. Yet, it was 2c48474c6b an unfinished memory.2338d6794284aabc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Now that he couldn’t 4b443162ae remember Leo, Revenant was 524e523fb1 simply Revenant. He felt 2c9773058e no aching 8a1236b078 longing for ab05ba11ef Leo when f706a62801 he looked 0bb9bb8e66 at Revenant. Revenant was c8a0e66dc5 too vivid, 59822b254f too present.252c531ddc385b28

His very be6297f909 existence was 2b8d94067d like a 01623995b9 burning flame, ac1b89e6ee commanding Ian’s fd82dfa850 attention, making f8f46e6fac it impossible ba28138c2e to look ad73719cbd anywhere else. Even if that 115c97ee48 “somewhere else” was d076704d40 a part of 7a5d7c464c his past.2f9862e92aa3e4a9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I thought… I b43852f19e thought if I 5359fd5862 found out that 88a936bb04 Revenant was Leo, 2293e4fb5d that I’d remember 3877d4e7b1 all the little d1ae463e85 reasons I loved 02c86a19dd him. But I still 9d3d2e293f don’t. They’re still two completely aaeb37cb2f different people to me. My feelings for them bac45dfb88 are totally separate. So, you’re right… c6a2301645 knowing this doesn’t a2be1683ef make me happy. And I 6994ff0059 know that ef2c39d8bf both Lloyd c8fd749323 Gillen and 45d216de1f Revenant want e0acace481 that house, 218b18c273 and that 4fd71670ff scares me.”4aef8511bb5cfe40

“But why? Isn’t it clear 635608cccb he likes you? He’s just 3f1ff08f4f obsessive, and e89147e07e maybe even 226810e9e2 a little 45c70b57a6 disturbing about da9d3b3173 it.”67ca0d9fe5a78d59

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“It’s more than that. You heard it d826447c5d too, remember? Revenant started helping me 7900c27d6e out of guilt. When he first 4b6268484b met me, he f525513abc didn’t have any 5d42503033 intention of becoming b1b14569e8 romantically involved. He only 1a06578795 wanted to 013a1c9284 help, out d111e825f5 of guilt.”3e78c3f26f1b3376

“You’re scared of 5df5089400 what he did 08a95d218c to feel guilty? Afraid it’s something 7cff347a27 you can’t forgive?”61faaeb3599c6bf8

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“No, Georg f97a2c24f9 said it 54e763e410 wasn’t a f8b5851f8a big deal, 5109259e01 that he deaf57282b couldn’t see 71f0883718 why Revenant 99ea38fdee felt so 49d59d07af guilty. So, I doubt it’s bc3ffa1463 something I wouldn’t be d80234bc80 able to forgive. It’s just…”44a5e38665c5968b

Leo gently nudged him 96226b8e5c to continue.bd7dc0930f0bcdeb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“It bothers me 0111f95fba that Revenant and 0a629c7c10 Lloyd Gillen know 95c1c18c33 each other. Or rather, that 7c46541961 Leo knows him. Their connection d7c6709d4a is definitely 8dbff10390 through my 5b5f048cd4 family. And I know nothing bfc55f6b67 about it. How could 9f33c76f15 that be? Before, I wouldn’t f200825ccb have cared—I didn’t 91d263fa68 pay attention to 78e9398fff things that didn’t f700242312 concern me. But now there’s c7641eff42 this gap in a26afcd090 my memory, and 247cb54d6c I keep wondering c7b33587a8 if something important 8feff8f98f slipped through. Like, is bb60514958 this why 998b328e8f I can’t 955e7cc636 remember Revenant?”edfe4b97aa24528c

“Can’t you ask him?”a6f208431b0fc88f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I already did, 28728cc8c7 a few times. But it’s pointless.”c99ed91b905c4c45

“Things are different f02a14fa29 now, though. You two are d500429f49 dating.”3ebc7c6b4e036084

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“That doesn’t change anything. He was very d35127a953 clear about it. He says it’s 431a6ff7ef for my own d123f8736c good.”e636c8c0be2afc7a

“Do you not trust 63336aa51c him when he says 7fe357d28f that?”cbd98c1ce8dedd6a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“No, I trust him. I believe 9a705009b4 everything Revenant f6e6a7b9a7 says. There’s no 271570e7ed lie or 673a380ad7 pretense in 09537f2e6c how he 91653c8d3b treats me. Actually, if a5ae316314 either of 37c55264eb us is 8c1c2cc13c taking things 174be9538f as they 4e403d911d come, it’s 6ec1344396 me. When he 7bd7bc7e76 says there’s 454aae06d5 no going 23518ca68a back between 863f23334b us, it 84c7fb2f6b shows he’s 710a3faacd thought a a5b3c48b67 lot about a6a27bd606 it.”a9c9a82be121fc67

“Then what’s 7a04eb05b7 the problem?”f997eeeaa86f98f0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“It’s just… 8fc04edabc these things 44de95d7ff I can’t 1a43241775 remember… No, 0e65b69ed3 never mind. I don’t really cf7dcd0507 know what the 7f9e0c178e problem is myself. But I can’t 3be1ba6e61 ignore what happened 4db75ba507 today. I need 6e1726e67d to know c318707825 why Revenant 143f40fc04 wants that 573df57e4c house.”162b0ba146fd0774

Leo offered him 0e26215d45 a small, reassuring 77f7be88f2 smile.9ca5b9d1e6b6f99c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“It could be something 5ce0e80784 simple, you know. Maybe he’s just buying 85ea87339b it back because he 3f5f52586c doesn’t want anyone else d9cc92a6be taking it from you. Like a cool prince.”fc469f58f6f58456

“You’re kidding, right?”45850db89a996651

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Isn’t he a581631c2b already kind ae6379ccdb of over-the-top? Like with the restaurant? It wouldn’t 1c92070529 be out 016f7335f4 of character 1b282127f0 for him.”9c39084b5b6bb751

“Yeah, maybe, 789b3b0dc5 but not 69ad1cf146 this time. I only 4d7fdd5b96 found out cb1f199251 today that a529ac1f76 the house c50e88059d went to e9058a0f03 Lloyd Gillen. If Revenant already fd0916cc52 knew, it means db70e5c1b6 he’s been digging 833c8a4366 into that house 62a1ed43f5 long before I 62fea78325 even knew about 575c935c98 it.”4b49cdf230f046fd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…Yeah, that’s e9e0c2c097 hard to e046ac50fd argue with.”bb667402c1316500

Leo paused before 9c86630cf5 suddenly patting Ian fff22e1386 on the head.3b65f92b3b6b7c15

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“So, are you d6e14e5443 heading back to 8cdca778ef the hotel now?”87b07424dcd3396f

“Yeah. I need to 1a2e27b721 talk to Revenant 21d0bbd591 about this.”1a9079f7efccccc2

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Alright. Good luck 03b5ab197f with that.”96ed24f6fb8e236b

“Thanks for helping 7810aab72e me today. Really.”516ba55d0c72c85d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Hey, I had fun. Anytime.”5a113ddf39a983fc

Leo shoved his hands dcc67207b9 deep into the pockets 345daf3ae1 of his double-button Burberry 8f6f0255c8 jacket. He looked surprisingly 17370cd91d sharp, though the d051d1ebb7 pom-pom beanie on c7815e54f6 his head kept d112dc192c him from fully 2653e893b6 shaking his usual 03a07b9e06 quirky vibe.82533a9d6287f772

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Well, I’ll take my 4fff031fed leave here, Ian. I’ve got something 5b1067e244 to do.”cb9f1c9f45372045

“Here? We’re headed the same 50aac3a75b way to 8th Street.”a8639361e9ef82d0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I have a d8dea8786e different errand.”a7892ac6b2ad051c

Leo backed up a a566194efe few steps. He was heading 5b3e338c21 in the opposite 848fd08597 direction of his 8bc5afedf3 apartment.5e2cc6e849d67e2d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Ian, are we 4cc3999797 really just friends 6818c30202 now?”7ab97c3eff1918bb

His expression was 7c8008d6d6 as carefree as 74f25a31fb usual. It was d18b91c625 probably the c61080c4bf ridiculous beanie. Leo was just… e4eb8df0c8 Leo.8112da6df9cbcdcb

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Not just friends. My second-best friend, at c851daa62d least.”9d4d950734bd0c41

“Why not first?”e4fad2533e880c41

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Because that’s f45b78a980 Leo Sebastian 94239963a6 from Rose-Hulman.”b26c28dd941d3efb

“Aw, too bad. Should I 861bf55164 head back b7f6d7a7cc to Rose-Hulman, 4307f76dea then?”575f08431d6c5547

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“It wouldn’t make a 092e66107b difference. I need to remember f3baf8c9e2 him myself.”edfaab03c799a78d

Leo chuckled, taking ba87600cbf a few more 3a5453463f steps back.d4e952283a67d955

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Alright. I’ll settle for 2c95b135e9 second best.”6d5a17d30d0ec80c

“Just wait. I’ll remember 0c993c64ec him soon.”8ebdb60d4db175a5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“No, there’s no need.”af66197db7f2b99b

“Huh? Why not?”218d8287a201b0fc

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Leo took a few f6e109254b more steps away.7a29bc47d65442b9

“You know something, 465b0f7193 Ian?”504a4e797ebda866

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What?”b922da77764d47df

“The Ian c08f386096 Winchell I 949dcc975a loved first 80b576f017 was the a8635b613f one I 62a868fb83 met at 930c2e5cdf Rose-Hulman. Until yesterday, I 1b7d60ff87 wanted to go b4073254ae back and live 486fccf8f4 with that you. But today, I think c7fe5ebf0d I understand why Revenant 739965cb88 isn’t telling you anything.”e27ab94fee439e48

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…What does that 72ed5a7edf mean?”72acd04730f834cb

“I don’t want you 1c54c5cf55 to go back to 0320f595a3 Rose-Hulman, Ian. I like you better 0fc2fb2b9f as you are now. It’s a little disappointing 6f334c4e43 that you’re not the 5ec0b00953 Ian Winchell I loved 93d5f834c9 first. But it’s okay. You’re my best c727318c24 friend.”252b777a6217d301

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Leo…”05e5d91cddb90117

Only then did he b069185066 notice that Leo’s warm 7f3804e7af brown eyes looked slightly 6f38385c12 different as he smiled.65ffc50da4ea166b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You’re my best 27469bc341 friend. My one and 3002c63d53 only. So, you can’t b2164b0478 leave me, Ian.”c4ffa4f752722281

Leo pulled one f0d8cdad87 hand out of 201abb7366 his pocket and daa1cb6610 waved it broadly.4b1695da56fb520e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“See you later. Take care.”fb3278e4ad3a3394

Leo turned around d96050e72f and ran off, 0ebd685cd4 his footsteps echoing. By the time 12d15e5fa9 Ian thought to f7ac6c2bf1 respond, Leo was eb2b58aa81 already gone.3676b96d768b1e4c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

So, Ian didn’t hear 0ecbc5aa28 the words Leo mumbled 2c849da3e9 to himself as he 33fe967a43 dashed away.73cd1a4d6739e863

“So, even 0cc27346a5 if I dc605d4531 do something d2f1fadc63 like that, 2c129e5b0c you’ll have 2222315fa0 to forgive b1fe9b88aa me, Ian.”2e82791818a981d7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator