Chapter 127 Public-Funded Travel
A gentle knock sounded at the door.
"Mr. Hensley, Ms. Martinez." The hotel manager's respectful voice came from outside. "The plumbing in room 2408 has been repaired and hot water has been restored. You can return to your room anytime."
To Cecilia, this voice was music to her ears.
She immediately closed her tablet and stood up.
"Thank you," she called toward the door, then turned to Stefan with a polite but distant goodbye. "Mr. Hensley, I'll head back now. I won't disturb you any longer."
Stefan acknowledged with a sound, his gaze shifting from the computer screen to her. "Get some rest."
Cecilia grabbed her handbag and fled the room like an escapee.
Only after returning to her own room and closing the door did she let out a long breath, feeling her tense nerves finally relax.
She checked the bathroom, confirmed everything was working, then quickly took another shower and threw herself into the soft bed.
That night, Cecilia didn't sleep well.
In her dreams, Stefan's all-seeing eyes and Rufus's face, twisted in shock over "Fractured," kept alternating, giving her no peace.
The next morning, Cecilia was woken by her phone ringing.
It was Stefan.
"Get ready. Meet me in the lobby downstairs in half an hour." His words were as brief and clear as always.
"Going to the company?" Cecilia was confused.
"No." Stefan's voice carried a hint of resignation. "Show me around the city. Let me try some local food."
Cecilia was stunned.
Local food? She was sure she heard correctly.
"Mr. Hensley," her tone was full of confusion, "aren't we here on a business trip?"
A few seconds of silence, then Stefan's self-mocking chuckle came through. "That was the plan. But our partner, under Mr. Chapman's 'generous' money offensive, tore up the contract overnight. So this business trip is off."
Cecilia fell silent.
She could completely imagine how Rufus, after learning he lost the competition, would frantically retaliate against Stefan. She just didn't expect Rufus to move so quickly, with methods as simple and brutal as always.
"So, let's treat it as a company-paid vacation." Stefan's voice sounded quite relaxed. "I think having you, the 'travel guide enthusiast,' show me the local sights isn't too much to ask?"
With Stefan putting it that way, Cecilia couldn't refuse.
Half an hour later, they met in the lobby.
Stefan had changed out of his sharp suit into a high-quality dark casual jacket, which softened his sharp business edge and added a scholarly, easygoing air.
Cecilia led him through the busy commercial street into an alley full of everyday life.
"This place has the most authentic crab cakes. Been open for over thirty years." Cecilia expertly led him to an unassuming storefront.
Stefan watched her chat familiarly with the owner while ordering, a glint passing behind his glasses.
"You know this place well." Stefan stated rather than asked.
"I told you, I did research before." Cecilia answered without looking back.
"When?"
"In college. I was young and determined to travel the world. Made tons of guides but never went anywhere. Then I started working and had even less time and opportunity."
"Really?" Stefan said noncommittally. "I thought you'd lived here for a long time."
Cecilia's heart skipped a beat, but her expression remained unchanged.
She took the crab cakes from the owner and turned to hand him one. "Mr. Hensley, try this."
The steam and aroma of the food successfully changed the subject.
They sat at a small street-side table, surrounded by the buzz of voices and food aromas. This environment was completely at odds with their usual surroundings.
Stefan bit into the crab cake, and the delicious juice burst in his mouth. His movements were elegant—even eating street food, he carried an innate refinement.
"Not bad," he assessed objectively.
Cecilia responded absently.
Just when she thought this "company vacation" would end with eating and drinking, Stefan suddenly put down his food.
"Amelia." He suddenly called her full name.
Cecilia looked up.
"Your chance for rapid growth has arrived." Stefan's expression returned to his business persona, his gaze sharp and focused.
"Competitions like Starlight Design Awards are too small—just an appetizer for you."
"In two weeks, there's the National Designer Competition. The top event in the country, far more prestigious than Starlight Design Awards. If you can win first place, the name 'Amelia Design Studio' will truly establish itself in this industry."
Cecilia's heart jumped.
The National Designer Competition.
That was the stage she once dreamed of! Before marrying Rufus, she had even prepared her entry, but ultimately gave up everything because of that wrong marriage.
Unexpectedly, after all this time, the opportunity was before her again.
"I'll enter." She didn't hesitate, her eyes reigniting with the flame called ambition.
"Good." Stefan was satisfied with her response.
After eating, they continued strolling through the old street. Many old-style buildings remained here, forming a stark contrast with the nearby skyscrapers.
Just as they turned a corner, a violent metallic crash erupted ahead.
A black commercial van, like an out-of-control beast, suddenly charged out from a side street and slammed into another identical vehicle. The massive impact instantly deformed both cars, glass shattering like spider webs, smoke billowing from the hoods.
But this was just the prelude.
Almost before the crash sound faded, both car doors were kicked open from inside. Over a dozen figures tumbled out, all wielding automatic weapons that began spitting deadly fire the instant they hit the ground.
Gunfire—not a single shot, but a barrage! Dense, continuous automatic rifle fire like death's drumbeat completely shattered the old street's peace.
Bullets poured out madly, carving countless death trajectories through the air. Shop shutters were riddled with holes, street-side stone pillars were chipped away, ricochets screamed sharply, bouncing wildly in the narrow alley.
It was impossible to tell who was attacking whom—the scene was pure, indiscriminate firepower.
It all happened too fast—from crash to firefight, barely three seconds.
Pedestrians didn't even have time to scream, their minds blank, survival instinct driving them to flee in panic.
The entire street instantly became hell on earth.