Chapter 171 The Bigger Picture
Calista didn’t think such a casual question would provoke him.
No.
+15 BONUS
After Charlotte was sent out, it was Lucian’s turn. The results would take roughly two hours. So,
Calista went out to meet Selena.
She had learned about the incident from the news and called Calista to ask for the address. Then,
she hurried over.
“Why did he jump into a lake?”
She held Calista’s hand and watched Lucian lying motionless on a bed in the emergency room.
“Have the test results come out? Is there anything wrong with him?” she asked worriedly.
“We’re still waiting on the reports. It’ll just be a little while longer. There shouldn’t be anything
majorly wrong. Please sit down. There’s nothing to worry about.”
Selena blamed herself.
“It’s all my fault. How could I have said that? He heard me say you were going to jump into the
lake and went searching for you without even putting his shoes on.”
The bed–bound Lucian frowned.
“Mom…”
“You don’t want me to talk about what you just did?”
If he weren’t a patient, Selena would’ve given him a hard slap.
“Who was it who had me call Calista to join us for the festivities?”
Lucian hadn’t explicitly stated anything. But the man who usually kept his secrets had spoken to
her about what happened at Fort City. It was clear he wanted Calista around.
Did he think he could fool his mother?
Calista stared at Lucian who said nothing. He kept his head turned away. Perhaps it was in silent
acknowledgment. Or maybe he couldn’t be bothered to waste his time arguing about it.
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+15 BONUS
Two hours later, Calista went to get the test report when she ran into Charlotte who was on her way to the washroom Charlotte shot her a look.
“You should keep an eye out on your boyfriend. There’s something wrong with him ”
Calista had no intention of saving her relationship with Lucian. But she still held true to her ethics. She smiled coldly.
“So, this is your way of repaying someone for saving you. You’re badmouthing the man who risked his life by jumping into a lake to save you. Aren’t you being too unappreciative of the gesture?”
“He didn’t jump in there to save me. He mistook me for someone else and tried to extort my parents for a large sum of money as compensation. You don’t think something’s wrong with him?” Charlotte said unhappily.
“All I’m doing is kindly warning you. See the bigger picture.”
Calista was beaming.
“You have nothing to worry about. He’s not interested in chump change. As for whether or not
something is wrong with him, it’s not your place to judge him.
Charlotte turned red with anger.
“What…”
Before she could finish, Calista walked past her to get the test report. The results showed that
there were no serious issues. Lucian didn’t need to be hospitalized.
Calista declined Selena’s offer and didn’t accompany her to the Stansend Manor. Instead, she went
home.
She was taking a bath when Yara called. The scent of rose essential oil filled the bathroom and
mingled with the steam. It left her feeling drowsy.
“What the hell, Callie? You stripped Lucian of his pants in front of national TV.”
Her friend must’ve seen the news. Calista helplessly hung her head over the edge of the tub.
“I was forced to do it.”
She briefly explained what happened.
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“I was close by and decided to go take a look. It was all a coincidence”
Yara laughed heartily
“A CORNERÁDace? It sounds more like a case of bad luck.*
Calista said nothing in response
“Oh, right. Didn’t you say you were going to spend the holidays in Fort City? What are you doing
back here?”
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you about it next time we meet.”
She was genuinely exhausted and wasn’t interested in discussing the unpleasant topic any
further
“Alright. Since you’re not returning to Fort City, let’s go on a trip. I know a medium in the
neighboring city who’s pretty good at what they do. Healing crystals there are worth thousands.
Let’s go get one so we can make a wish to find decent men. I don’t want to be single anymore.”
Calista knew about the medium.
“Why would a medium care about someone’s love life? We’re better off going to a matchmaker.”
Yara couldn’t care less about making a wish to not be single anymore. She only brought it up
because she noticed how upset Calista seemed.
“Who cares? We’re going, okay? Pack up. I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning.”
Yara came to pick her up early the following morning. Calista was still asleep until the doorbell ringing incessantly woke her up. She was squinting as she went to open the door.
“Where are your bags?”
The woman energetically barged in.
“Go wash up and get dressed. I’ll take your luggage downstairs. I got you breakfast too. It’s in the
car.”
By the time Calista fully awoke from her sleep–addled state, Yara was already out the door with
her luggage in tow.
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+15 BONUS
Ten minutes later, she went downstairs after washing up. Yara was leaning against the car, excited yet dejected. Calista was puzzled.
“What’s wrong?”
“We have a tagalong.”
“Huh?”
Upon seeing Calista’s confusion, Yara opened the door. Hector, dressed in hiking gear, stuck his
head out.
“Hey, Calista.”
“After I hung up last night, I posted about going on a trip with you to a neighboring city on social media. He was already waiting next to my car when I picked up your luggage.”
She raised her hand as if she were swearing an oath.
“I fought with him to keep him from getting into the car but I lost.”
Hector smirked at Calista.
“You promised to go on a trip with me. Don’t go breaking your promise now.”
“When did I promise you anything?”
Calista had no recollection of making a promise like that. She was certain he was making it up.
“Back in high school. Was it during our first year or the second?”
Hector couldn’t quite remember either. He waved his hand dismissively.
“I forgot. But we did agree to go on a trip during the holidays back then.”
Calista rolled her eyes.
“That was a school–organized outing. Most of our classmates participated in the trip.”
“But it’s just you and me now. You can go ahead and contact the others to invite them along too.”
He got out of the car to drag her in.
“The military is driving me insane. I’m on duty at 3 every morning. We’re friends. What’s wrong
with going on a trip together? It’s not like I’m sharing a room with you. There’s going to be so
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holidays alone, are you?”
+15 BONUS
Calista finally managed to free herself from his grip after he dragged her for a bit.
“You want to come with us? Sure. Drive.”
Hector climbed into the driver’s seat while Calista and Yara got in the back. With their uninvited guest around, Yara couldn’t ask what happened back at Fort City.
But when two best friends got together, they could chat about anything.
Hector glanced into the rearview mirror to see the two women in the back laughing at something they were seeing on their phones.
“Did you bring me because you wanted a driver?”
