Chapter 371

Brenda bit her lip and looked away. "I saved up all this cash myself. My folks have no clue."

Miley checked out the money. "But these are all fresh bills."

In big cities, that kind of cash was still pretty common.

But in a small town like this, where flowers were sold one by one, a hundred bucks was already a lot for Brenda. Yet, here she was, pulling out a grand, all in new bills.

Miley wasn't dumb and wasn't buying Brenda's story. "Spill it; where'd you get this money?"

Brenda bit her lip harder. "I found it at the airport."

Miley said, "Then you should hand it over to the cops."

"No!" Brenda quickly grabbed Miley's hands, hesitated for a bit, and finally came clean, "A guy at the airport bought my flowers for a thousand bucks."

Even though Miley wasn't totally convinced, it made more sense than the first story.

The flower market at the airport was pretty basic. People who could afford to fly had some cash; otherwise, Brenda wouldn't have gone all the way there to sell flowers.

Sometimes, there were generous folks who might feel sorry for a kid like Brenda. It wasn't hard to get. For rich people, a thousand bucks was nothing. And buying flowers was just an excuse; maybe it was just a kind-hearted guy feeling bad for Brenda.

"Miley." Brenda clung to Miley's arm and begged, "I wanna keep this thousand bucks for myself. Can you keep it a secret?"

Miley knew exactly what kind of life Brenda had at home.

Miley also felt a bit sorry for Brenda. "Brenda, you gotta promise me that everything you told me is true."

Brenda said, "I swear, everything I said is true, not a single lie!"

Miley sighed. "Alright. I'll hold onto this thousand bucks for you. If you need it, come to me."

Brenda let out a sigh of relief and finally felt at ease. "Thanks, Miley."

"No problem," Miley said.

After that, Miley leaned against the window, staring blankly at the big flower fields outside.

When they got off the bus, they still had to walk a bit to get home.

Brenda pushed the flower cart ahead, while Miley followed leisurely behind, her eyes glued to her phone.

The whole way, Miley was waiting for Zaire's call. But all she got was disappointment.

"Stupid guy!" Miley cursed.

Brenda turned around. "Miley, what did you say?"

"Nothing," Miley replied, then blocked Zaire's number.

Brenda waited for Miley to catch up and asked, "Miley, I heard you came back this time to get hitched?"

Miley responded nonchalantly, "It's for a blind date."

Brenda asked, "Oh, have you gone on the date?"

Miley smirked. "I've been on two dates already."

Brenda asked, "Neither worked out?"

Miley nodded. "Nope."

Brenda asked, "Miley, what kind of guy do you like?"

Miley replied, "Handsome, rich, and a bit cheeky sometimes."

Brenda didn't get it. What kind of trait was that?

Brenda thought of the guy who bought flowers at the airport today, and her mind wandered a bit. "Miley, you went to college in Lakina and stayed there for more than a year after graduation. Didn't you date anyone?"

Miley grinned. "Oh, I dated a bunch."

Brenda bit her lip. Could the guy she saw today be one of Miley's exes?

Brenda asked, "Miley, do you have someone you like?"

"Nope," Miley answered without hesitation.

Brenda thought, 'Miley's quick answer must mean she really doesn't, right?'

Brenda's mind flashed with Zaire's image again, and her cheeks felt a bit warm. "Miley, are you going back to Lakina?"

"I dunno." Miley pulled two blades of grass from the roadside and quickly wove them into a grass ring with her fingers. She put it on her finger to admire it, then she took it off, tossed it into the air, and kicked it into the nearby flower field.

Brenda didn't say anything more.

Isabella went to the hospital and ran into Sebastian downstairs.

Isabella asked, "Why are you here? Weren't you in a meeting?"

Sebastian took her hand. "Nothing's more important than you, Bella. You should've told me from the start."

Isabella said, "I just didn't want to distract you."

Sebastian said, "Silly girl."

Isabella and Sebastian went upstairs and opened the door to the hospital ward, only to find the bed already cleaned up, with no one inside. Even the patient name cards at the head and foot of the bed were gone.

A nurse happened to come in with some bedding. Seeing them, she asked, "Who are you looking for?"

Isabella said, "I'm looking for Elodie."

The nurse said, "Oh, she moved upstairs. You can find her there."

Isabella didn't get why Elodie moved upstairs until Sebastian and she went up and found the entire floor cleared out.

As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, two tall guys in suits blocked their way. "From now on, this floor is occupied by Ms. Black. Please leave."

Isabella and Sebastian exchanged a glance. So, the Black Family really sent someone over?

Elodie suddenly moved wards, which meant Nina must have fallen into the hands of the Black Family.

"I'm looking for Esme," Isabella said urgently, "My name is Isabella. Could you please inform her?"

The two bodyguards glanced at her and said indifferently, "Mrs. Black is ill and is also resting. Without Bruno Black's orders, no one can disturb her."

"What?" Isabella was stunned. Esme was also ill?

Isabella was confused. "But when I came this morning, she was fine. How did she suddenly get sick?"

The bodyguard was very cold, raising his hand slightly. "No comment. Please leave immediately."

Isabella wanted to say more, but Sebastian gently squeezed her hand and led her away.

As the elevator doors closed, Isabella said, "My mom is also sick, but she was fine this morning. How did she suddenly get sick? And now I can't reach her by phone."

Sebastian said, "Given the situation, it's clear that the Black Family has sent people over. Whether Esme is really sick or not is unknown, but it's likely that you won't be able to see each other for a while."

Sebastian's words made Isabella's heart sink. The Black Family probably did it on purpose to prevent Esme from sseing her.

"What about Nina? Will they do something to her?" Isabella was most worried about Nina.

Sebastian said, "For now, we can only wait for Richard to come back."