Chapter 154 You Really Have a Lot of Nerve

Chapter 154 You Really Have a Lot of Nerve

Hearing this, Sophia froze mid-motion, a bad feeling rising in her chest.

"Yeah, I saw it. They said several people died suddenly, cardiac arrest. I heard that drug makes you feel really good but it's addictive. Once you're hooked, you can't stop, and then your heart just gives out." The speaker made a downward gesture.

"The scariest part is it traces back to the Barnett Group! Manuel's side, it's just one thing after another."

"Wait, I heard someone from our company had an incident too?"

"Yes, yes! I heard that too. Someone from the admin department, around thirty years old, suddenly died last night. His family came to the company this morning to make a scene, but it was quietly dealt with. You guys didn't know?"

"Really? So he took that drug too?"

"Who knows? Anyway, the police are investigating now. I heard seven or eight people have died in Emerald Harbor."

"So even inside the Kensington Group isn't safe? How did this drug even get in?"

The more Sophia listened, the deeper her frown became.

Glimmercore. The thing Felix was promoting in Emerald Harbor—what exactly was he trying to do?

Sophia thought of the white pill still pressed in her drawer. Her fingers tightened as she walked into the elevator.

In the CEO's office, only Rufus was there.

Sophia glanced around and saw no one, so she instinctively asked, "Where's Alexander?"

"Mr. Kensington went out to handle something," Rufus answered. "He didn't give details, just said he wouldn't be at the company today."

Sophia nodded as if she didn't care and sat down on the sofa.

Rufus glanced at her and tactfully didn't ask more questions, lowering his head to continue organizing documents.

Sophia's fingers tapped the sofa cushion absently. An inexplicable unease stirred inside her.

Before leaving Emerald Harbor, she wanted to help Alexander stabilize the Kensington Group and make sure nothing would happen to him after she left.

She still couldn't let it go after all.

Sophia bit her lip, suddenly stood up, grabbed her bag, and said to Rufus, "I'm going out too."

"Alright." Rufus had a knowing look on his face.

Soon after, Sophia left the Kensington Group. Standing by the street, she dialed the number Abigail had messaged her before.

But what she heard was a mechanical prompt—the number was out of service.

Another out-of-service number? Sophia grumbled under her breath.

These people, why do they love using disposable numbers so much? It's not like it's some big secret.

Unable to reach anyone by phone, Sophia thought for a moment, then headed to the café where she'd met Noah before, hoping to try her luck and see if she could run into him and ask about the situation.

Twenty minutes later, Sophia was lucky enough to find Noah at the café.

Noah was standing at the bar. When he saw her, he didn't seem surprised. He smiled and greeted her, "What would you like to drink?"

"Americano." Sophia gestured with her chin. "I didn't know you could make coffee. I thought you just sat here occasionally."

"I only learned in the past few months." Noah's tone was gentle. "After all, I've quit my job at the hospital, so I need to learn some new skills."

Sophia's eyes widened in surprise. Before she could ask, Noah spoke first, "You came to find me because you have something to ask, right?"

"Yes." Sophia could only nod in agreement, then glanced around the shop. "Will I be disturbing you?"

"No." Noah skillfully extracted the coffee, made it, and handed it to Sophia. "Want to sit over there and talk?"

Sophia nodded, and the two found a small corner to sit down.

"I actually wanted to ask you about what happened on the island." Sophia held her coffee cup. "How much do you know? Do you know Abigail? How is she now?"

"I know some things, but not much." Noah lowered his eyes and said in a low voice, "I only know that what was under the island has been destroyed."

Sophia's eyes flickered.

"Abigail left the island with Natalia. They're probably in Emerald Harbor now. I don't know the exact location—I only heard it through some rumors, so I can't confirm it."

"I see, thank you." Sophia's tone was a bit low. "That's enough. I'll find a way."

Noah looked at her, his expression worried. "Sophia, I actually don't want you getting involved in this. You know this is murky water that just gets deeper the more you stir it."

"I've been keeping an eye on Felix's movements." He paused, looking directly into her eyes. "Because I'm worried about you. Come with me, let's find Lachlan and leave Emerald Harbor. What's happening here isn't something you can handle alone."

Sophia looked back at him, silent for a few seconds, then finally shook her head.

"I appreciate your kindness, but I can't just stand by and do nothing."

Noah sighed and smiled helplessly. "No matter how I try to persuade you, you won't choose to come with me, will you?"

"Noah, you know I have things I must do." Sophia stood up, slung her bag over her shoulder, and looked at him deeply. "Take care."

She pushed open the door and left.

Noah looked at the untouched coffee on the table, picked it up, and took a sip. The bitterness seeped into his chest.

He laughed self-mockingly. After staying by Sophia's side for so many years, he still couldn't compare to Alexander, who appeared later.

Outside the shop, the wind on the street was a bit chilly. Sophia pulled up her coat collar and stood by the roadside, pulling up Natalia's number again.

She didn't have high hopes. She'd tried those numbers before—either out of service or no one answered—but she didn't want to give up. If it didn't work, she'd find another way.

After a few seconds of ringing, the call actually connected.

Sophia froze for a second, then quickly put the phone to her ear.

"You've got some nerve."

Natalia's voice came through the receiver, carrying her signature casual sharpness.

Sophia's heart leaped with joy. "Natalia!"

"Don't call me that." The other person cut her off, speaking quickly. "Listen carefully. I'm only saying this once."

Sophia quickly closed her mouth and perked up her ears.

Natalia said a string of things. Each word was clear, but strung together, they made no sense.

"Got it?"

"Got it, but—"

"Don't ask anything. Come tonight. We'll meet."

With that, the call ended.

"What the heck."

Sophia irritably pulled the phone from her ear, confirmed she hadn't misheard what was just said, then walked a few steps to the side and found a bench in a park to sit down.

Around her, elderly people were walking dogs and children were running. And here she was, opening her notes app, typing in exactly what Natalia had said word for word, staring at the screen, deep in thought.

She repeatedly broke apart and recombined those words, arranging and rearranging them, going through fifty or sixty iterations. After more than ten minutes, she was surprised to find that something clicked.

Sunset Ridge Road, intersection, alley, antique shop.

Sophia suddenly laughed out loud. She'd figured out the code!