Chapter 36
Under the West Bridge, the place was buzzing with vendors hawking all kinds of stuff. A few booths were even slapping on phone screen protectors.
The prime spot was taken by a beat–up tricycle with a canopy. The signs, with bold, flashy handwriting, had a wild vibe to them
Sitting in front of the setup was Hugo. He totally focused on his screen protector job. Beside him was a cat carrier
Hugo didn’t glance up when a shadow fell over him. “Screen protector or fortune–telling?”
The stand was a real mess, and a weird smell hung under the bridge. Xavier held back his gag reflex and said firmly. “I’ll take the Mystic Pill.”
Hugo paused and looked up at Xavier. The face was new, but the suit, shoes, watch, and all the trimmings were top–shelf. Hugo yelled towards the driver’s seat of the tricycle, “Quiana, we got a customer for the Mystic Pilll”
Quiana with long hair tumbled out, wearing a black bucket hat, black shirt, and cargo pants, giving off a cool, energetic vibe. She was chewing gum looking super casual.
Xavier gasped, “Quiana!!”
Quiana raived an eyebrow. “Hey there, Mr. Larson.”
Xavier suddenly remembered the day he’d picked Quinn up to take her to the Larson residence. Quiana was setting up shop under a bridge, but it wasn’t the same tricycle or signs, so he hadn’t recognized her at first.
Xavier clenched his fist, feeling a throb in his temples. “Is this how you dishonor the Larson name
Quiana leaned against the tricycle, arms crossed, smiling like she didn’t care. “Mr. Lanson, you say you don’t claim me as a Larson. Now that I’m on my own, you uy I’m sharing the Larsons. What a pickle!”
“You!” The stares from
from the crowd made Xavier lower his pointing finger, his face darkening as he whispered harshly, “Get back home right now!”
Quiana snickered, “What’s up, Mr. High–and–Mighty? Not buying the Mystle Pillr
Xavier paused, remembering why he’d come to this dump in the first place.
The plan for Quiana to marry Julius instead of Winona couldn’t be kept from the Hawley family. Edward had been so mad at Quiana last time that he’d spat up blood, but he still called the shots in the Hawley family
It wouldn’t matter if Julius was out of the picture, but Edward couldn’t kick the bucket just yet. Getting on Edward’s good side could grease the wheels for Winona to marry Keith.
Xavier swallowed his anger and asked Quiana. “Do you have it?”
Hugo, hanging around, rolled his eyes and quickly fished out a tiny bottle from under the seat.
Xavier didn’t believe that Quiana would have the Mystic Pill. So he turned away and called his buddy, gritting his teeth. “You sure they’re under the West Bridge?”
His friend confirmed, “Yeall, it’s the one with the sign offering screen protectors, fortune–telling, and the Mystic Pill. Oh, and it’s run by siblings They’re known for being quirky, so play nice.”
Xavier took a deep breath, holding back his rage. He turned back, pulled out his wallet, and tossed 200–dollar bills on the counter, “200 dollars. I
want the whole lo
*200 dollars?” Hugo scoded, looking down his nose. “Are you kidding?”
Xavier frowned.
Hugo waved him off, acting like a seasoned con man, way older than his years. 1 mean-
“17 million dollars, Quiana cut in before Hugo could finisla
Hugo’s eyes bulged, and he zipped his lips. Clearly, Quiana was trying to hustle Xavier.
Xavier’s face darkened, his forehead throbbing “17 million dollars per bottle? How dare you?
“No“Quana shook her head, a sassy smile on her lips, ber voice icy as she spoke, 1.7 million dollars per pill”
1/2
Chapter 36
Xavier was shunned, his faer going as dark as a storm cloud. “Oor useless pill! Who knows if it works or if it 11 hurt someone. Selling it for 17 million
dollars each-
