Crossroads

Chapter 273

“What… What do you want me to do?” Stephanie’s voice trembled as she spoke.

Stephanie glanced nervously at Lucy, noticing a hint of a cryptic smile playing on her lips. Lucy smoothly pulled out a colorful brochure from behind her back and offered it to Stephanie. “I like dealing with straightforward people. Why don’t you start by completing this little task?”

Stephanie cautiously took the brochure. Her eyes widened in surprise as they landed on the familiar logo of “The Innovate Group“.

The company was holding open auditions for a spokesperson for their new product. Participants were required to film a 50–second commercial and had to be fluent in Eldranian, with an outstanding presence. Due to commercial reasons, the product details were kept confidential. The initial auditions were open to all ages and genders.

Stephanie held her breath and looked up at the woman in front of her again. Tve never been a model.”

“Ms. Reed, this is your problem now.”

Lucy’s interest seemed to evaporate. That’s your problem now, Ms. Reed. She turned away dismissively, her attention shifting to the hulking figure sprawled half–conscious on the filthy alley floor.

The disheveled man, hearing her approach, scrambled backward in terror, his eyes wide with fear. He dragged his broken body, crawling backward. clearly terrified of the woman before him.

A scream ripped through the alley as Lucy drove her heel into the man’s dislocated arm. She glanced down at him with a mocking smile on her lips, but what she did was ruthless, as if the man was nothing more than an object.

Stephanie pressed her lips, watching her steadily. Her hand clenched the flyer for the Innovate Group’s audition, tightening her grip silently.

and asked, “Who are you! Are you going to kill

VOICE

clouds, casting a gloomy pall over the narrow alleyway. Stephanie’s vo shattered the

her movements and turned her head to look at her. Stephanie shivered under her menacing gaze,

die” Lucy’s Aurithian had a thick accent, but her tone was very calm and natural

advise you not to try anything funny. People like me have survived wars and plagues, we’re like animals. Your kids are so fragile. But they are safe with me, only for

like she was talking about the

man’s collar, easily lifting him. He had long since passed out from the pain. His

man’s limbs and stuff him into the trunk of a car, slamming it

Swallowing her fear, she forced out the words “What do you have against me? Why are you doing this?”

to dismiss Stephanie entirely, looking at her like she was nothing more than a fragile ant, a cruel smirk playing on her lips. “But sometimes, I have to repay some favors

Lucy drove away.

stood frozen in place, silently watching the direction she left

cold, but her face remained expressionless. In her hand, she clutched the Innovate Group’s open audition flyer, her

say?” Molly exclaimed. By evening, after serving Scott and Andy for

with a plate of carbonara in front of them. Molly, eyes wide with surprise, put down her fork. She picked up the colorful flyer from the table and looked at the woman

Innovate Group auditions?” Molly asked