Later, Lance drove to pick up Deanna.
Seeing the man step out of the car, Julia cheerfully pushed Deanna forward and said with a smile, "Returning the property to its rightful owner. I won't disturb your private time."
With that, she waved her hand and turned to leave.
Deanna watched her friend's back, slightly amused.
At that moment, Lance's gentle voice came to her ears, "Let's go home."
"Okay."
Deanna nodded and got into the car with Lance.
Midway, Lance received a message on his phone.
He glanced at it, then discreetly deleted it and sent a command to Xavier.
That evening, after Deanna finished washing up, she lay in bed playing with her phone and suddenly noticed that Julia had posted a new update on Facebook.
Julia: Thanks to my dear friend, I finally have the chance to bring my 'hubby' home.
Below this message was a photo of Julia holding an exquisite figurine of a traditional-style man.
Deanna found it amusing.
She knew about Julia's obsession with this figurine. Since the beginning of the year, Julia had been talking about it constantly. Unfortunately, it was a limited edition and extremely expensive, so Julia had hesitated to buy it.
Thinking of this, she commented under the post: "Finally decided to get it?"
Julia's reply came almost instantly.
"Yes, I finally did. Thanks to you, hehe."
"Thanks to me? Shouldn't you treat me to a meal then?"
Deanna thought it was her previous persuasion that had made Julia decide to buy it.
Julia replied: "Sure, I'll treat you when I have time!"
Seeing this message, Deanna didn't take it seriously.
Just then, Lance walked in from outside.
Seeing the smile on Deanna's face, he casually asked, "What's so funny?"
"Oh, nothing much. I just saw Julia's latest post. You wouldn't believe it-Julia, a grown woman, still likes figurines. She just got one she's been longing for all year. It costs around thirty thousand dollars."
Deanna shook her head in amazement. "Honestly, I'm not an anime fan. I don't understand why those figurines are so expensive or why so many people collect them. Julia is one of them."
Lance's eyes flickered after hearing this.
"Everyone has their own hobbies."
"You're right."
Deanna agreed with a nod. The two chatted warmly for a while before falling asleep in each other's arms.
The next few days passed peacefully and happily.
Soon, the day of Lance and Landon's appointment arrived.
In the late afternoon, Landon called Deanna.
"It's been a while since we had dinner together. How about tonight?"
"Sure. By the way, can I bring someone?" Deanna asked with a smile.
Landon responded cheerfully, "As long as Mr. Mercer is available, it's fine."
"Alright, I'll let you know."
After hanging up, Deanna messaged Lance, "Landon wants to meet tonight. Do you have time?"
Not long after sending the message, Lance replied.
"I have something very important tonight. I can't make it."
"No problem," Deanna replied and then informed Landon that Lance couldn't join them that evening.
Landon saw the message and thought it was no surprise that Lance couldn't come.
That evening, he arrived punctually at Vortex Technology to pick up Deanna.
After getting in the car, Deanna noticed Landon was alone and asked, "Where's Julia?"
"She's already there. I came to pick you up," Landon spoke with a mysterious smile and then started the car towards their destination.
Deanna didn't notice his expression. She busied herself with her things and chatted casually, "What are we having for dinner?"
"You'll know when we get there." Landon didn't dare say more for fear of giving away the surprise.
Deanna seemed preoccupied with unfinished work and continued fiddling with her phone while nodding.
After some time, she felt the car come to a stop.
"Are we there?" She looked up and saw a sea of flowers outside but no sign of a restaurant. "Where is this place?"
She turned to Landon with a puzzled look.
Landon maintained his mysterious demeanor. "Do you see that sign by the road? Follow it and you'll find the restaurant. I'll park the car and join you."
Deanna didn't suspect anything and got out of the car.
Meanwhile, Lance received a message from Landon.
He put away his phone and said to Julia beside him, "Deanna is here. It's your turn."
"Don't worry. Mission guaranteed."
Julia made an OK gesture and left.
On the other side, Deanna followed the signs but felt increasingly uneasy.
She hadn't seen anyone else along the way, which seemed odd.
Moreover, she noticed that the surrounding rose bushes looked freshly planted...