Chapter 38

Valerie's drowsiness vanished instantly. She tossed the badge and note into the trash can, slung her bag over her shoulder, and headed to the back gate. A flashy Ferrari was parked there, and a tall, strikingly handsome man dressed in a fashionable suit leaned casually against it. A royal emerald pendant with crystal-glass clarity hung around his neck. His wrist was adorned with a string of rosary beads made of lightning-struck wood, and an emerald archer's ring carved with dragon motifs rested on his thumb. Everything about him—from head to toe, inside and out—screamed wealth. When he saw Valerie, he raised his arm and waved. "Val! Over here." Valerie glanced at him, put on a face mask, and turned to leave as if they'd never met. The man called after her, "Magnus sent me here for you." That stopped her short after walking a distance away. Turning back, she asked, "Where is he?" He opened the passenger door and gestured invitingly. "Get in, and we'll talk." "I drove here." "T