Five minutes later, the Mercedes-Benz van drove out of The Spire.
Stella Sterling faced the window, her cheeks flushed scarlet.
She leaned against the seat, taking small, sharp breaths, the air feeling unbearably hot.
The base of her tongue was still numb, her mouth filled with the taste of Roman Rhodes.
Even as the van left The Spire far behind.
The man's scent lingered on her, following her like a shadow.
After several minutes of settling down, Stella's heartbeat finally returned to normal.
Watching the streetscape fly past the window, she pressed her lips together, closed her eyes, and composed herself.
Suddenly, the pattern on Miles's collar flashed through her mind.
Stella remembered—it was identical to the design on Roman Rhodes's pinky ring.
...
「3:00 PM」
A roadside milk tea shop in Kowlen's Market Square.
Stella Sterling sat across from Ian Jarvis, her brow furrowed. "What happened to your face?"
