With the decision made, everyone went their separate ways.

Lucian Chapman headed out. He didn’t say who he was going to see, and Paige Summers didn’t ask. Everyone was entitled to their privacy; all she cared about was the result.

She and the Forrest Siblings remained at the shop to finish the final touches. They wiped the doors and windows until they gleamed, getting everything ready to open at a moment’s notice. Only then did the three of them pack up and head back.

Outside the commercial district, Wendy Lowell’s car was gone, just as she’d expected.

Her words must have worked.

Paige Summers put the matter aside for the time being.

On the way back, she sat in the car, gazing out the window.

’Marcus Monroe... He should be the City Lord of The Dead City by now. I wonder what the situation over there is. Are Shawn Monroe and Nora Lowell still putting up a desperate fight? As the original novel’s protagonists, I doubt they’d die that easily. Still, I don’t believe a miracle could happen under those circumstances, like them turning the tables and winning... Marcus Monroe is nowhere near that stupid!’

’The most likely possibility, then, is that they’ve fled The Dead City.’

Paige Summers leaned against the car window and propped up her chin.

’Will the two of them go to Norgate?’

’After all, Nora Lowell’s father is the City Lord of Norgate.’

’I vaguely recall the original novel mentioning that Nora Lowell’s father didn’t care much for her. He listened more to her stepmother, which put Nora in an incredibly awkward position and led to her wandering destitute until she was saved by Shawn Monroe.’

’But they’re still father and daughter. If she went back now, the outcome is anyone’s guess.’

’But the plot... it’s really been changed so much.’

’The Shawn Monroe of today is no longer the future ruler of The Dead City, and he doesn’t have hordes of loyal followers anymore. The help he can offer Nora Lowell has diminished significantly. If they were truly in love, Nora Lowell naturally wouldn’t care, but the problem is, at least before I left, I saw no sign that they cherished each other at all!’

’A couple like that... would they still have the deep bond described in the book? Would they be willing to live and die together, overcome countless obstacles, and finally get their happy ending?’

Paige Summers gave a cynical laugh.

She gave their fate a passing thought and then dismissed it.

She might not like Nora Lowell, but her own life was far more important.

’Right now, what’s important is solving the assassin problem, then successfully opening the weapon shop and working hard to live a good life here in Central City!’

After returning, she cautiously made some preparations.

’A place where you can buy and sell information, one that only opens at night... It’s bound to be a den of thieves. Going without some form of protection would be foolish!’

She still had a stock of various medicinal powders and medicines, so she didn’t bother Levi Young.

His door was shut tight, with a "Do Not Disturb" sign deliberately hung on it. ’He must be immersed in the world of Rainbow Water, exploring it further,’ she thought.

Paige Summers got everything ready and then rested for a few hours to conserve her energy. Finally, just before midnight, Lucian Chapman returned.

He quickly called Paige Summers downstairs. Once they were both in the car, he started driving and gave her a brief rundown of the information he’d gathered.

Just as Paige Summers had expected, the place was a nightclub. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

But it wasn’t just a nightclub. To be more precise, it was a multi-purpose venue for entertainment and networking.

"They say that as long as you’re willing to spend Crystal Cores, there’s very little information you can’t get. Unless it’s ancient history or involves too many secrets."

"But the only currency they accept for trade is Crystal Cores. Only Crystal Cores."

"I understand."

Paige Summers was already prepared for this.

Credit Points were stored on everyone’s Identity Card, so swiping one would mean exposing your identity.

No one would be that foolish.

That’s why she had already taken some Crystal Cores from her spatial storage and put them in a small pouch she kept close to her body.

Lucian Chapman thought for a moment before adding, "Oh, right. Let your hair down to cover your face a bit. It’s not a safe place, and you’re too conspicuous."

Paige Summers did as he said, then turned to look at his own hair, which was cut close to the scalp. Not long after arriving in Central City, Lucian Chapman had gotten a buzz cut. It made him look more masculine, but his face was just too handsome!

"What about you? How are you going to hide anything with hair that short? Don’t even try to deny it, your face is way more eye-catching than mine!"

Lucian Chapman rolled his eyes. "Of course I have my ways. You don’t need to worry about me." Then he added maliciously, "At least you’re self-aware. When it comes to looks, even a few of you combined wouldn’t measure up to me!"

Paige Summers’s eyes widened. "Our genders don’t seem to be the same. A man comparing his looks to a woman’s... are you for real?"

Lucian Chapman grinned. "Oh, that’s right. If you hadn’t mentioned it, I’d have almost forgotten you’re a woman!"

"Idiot! Haven’t you heard? Tough girls are what’s in style now!"