Chapter 346: Chapter 346: The Endless Sea
Claire Sinclair didn’t dare speak carelessly on the matter.
For one, her relationship with Adrian Quincy wasn’t public yet. For another, she didn’t know their social circles and was afraid of misspeaking. Most importantly, her opinions didn’t represent Adrian’s, and any careless remark could become leverage against him. It was simply better to say nothing.
Claire Sinclair deliberately changed the subject. "Thank you, Mr. Kingsley. As for the money you’ve tipped me, I’ll be donating it to people in need. Thank you again."
"Well now..." Ethan Kingsley sighed. ’What a clever woman. And so well-spoken.’
He slowly leaned his head down and whispered in her ear, "I’m very much looking forward to your novel’s ending."
Claire Sinclair’s body went rigid, and a flicker of alarm ignited in her heart.
’There was a hidden meaning in his words. I don’t know what he was trying to express, but I could definitely sense his ill intentions.’
Ethan Kingsley elegantly straightened his back, turned, and left. Before he went, he tossed a single sentence over his shoulder: "Consider one a gift from me. The other is half off..."
Claire Sinclair: "..."
’Who wants his stuff? Hmph...’
In the end, Claire Sinclair spent 230,000 on two identical watches.
Leaving the watch shop, Claire Sinclair hailed a taxi.
’She had to get to that place before dark. It would be too dangerous to go after nightfall.’
Once she was in the car, the driver immediately asked, "Where to, miss?"
Claire Sinclair calmly replied with three words: "The Bitter Sea."
The driver froze for a moment, his eyes wide with surprise. "Miss, The Bitter Sea is no place to be visiting. What are you going there for?"
"To buy something."
"But everything they sell in The Bitter Sea is said to be unregulated junk!"
Claire Sinclair gave a faint smile. "What I’m buying doesn’t require official certification."
"Alright, I’ll take you. But I have to warn you, I’m only dropping you off at the intersection. I’m not going in. A few of my buddies went in there and got robbed of everything they had. That place is a no-go zone for us drivers. You can call the cops, but no one will come."
The driver was right. The Bitter Sea was an urban village on the outskirts of Aethelgard, a lawless place. By day, it was an ordinary flea market. By night, it transformed into a sleepless city of vice and revelry.
Rumor had it the place was a historical problem, an area left ungoverned to this day. A reporter had once gone undercover, trying to expose the powers behind The Bitter Sea, but they’d vanished without a trace. Some were never even found, not even their bodies.
For a young woman like Claire Sinclair, the cabbie’s warning was well-intentioned. She appreciated the concern, but she still had to go.
The driver dropped her off at the intersection outside The Bitter Sea. Before she got out, he couldn’t help but add, "Listen, miss. I’m going to drive a kilometer away and wait for twenty minutes. If you can make it out by then, I’ll take you back. If you’re not out in twenty minutes, how about I call the police for you?"
Claire Sinclair shook her head. "That won’t be necessary, sir. You can just head back."
"Alright then. Good luck." The driver said no more. As soon as she stepped out of the car, he sped away.
Claire Sinclair looked up at the district, which appeared no different from any other urban village. She took a few deep breaths and stepped inside.
She had only taken a few steps when she suddenly heard footsteps behind her.
She turned to see Landon Winston and Nancy Lockwood.
’She could understand Landon Winston being here; Adrian Quincy must have sent him to protect her. But Nancy Lockwood’s presence left her completely baffled.’
