Chapter 1002 Rebecca Seems to Have Run into Trouble

Life had been so hazy lately that I could not even tell if I had ever really loved. "Anyway, Emily, what was it you wanted to talk about?" We had been chatting forever without getting to the point. When I dodged the question, she opened her mouth and was at a loss for words. She finally let out a deep sigh and switched gears. "It's about that friend you met at the border." The friend from the border? It took me a moment to catch on. Then, it clicked. She had to be talking about Rebecca. "Rebecca?" Emily nodded. "I ran into her at the hospital before. I recognized her, so I kept an eye out. She seemed all flustered, like something was up." I pondered for a second. "She's on her own with a kid. Maybe she went to the hospital because the child was sick or something else." Emily gave a small nod. "That's what I thought. However, what's weird is I saw her again yesterday on my way back from school. Guess where?" Her tone was all mysterious, so I shook my head. "Where?" "Right at Kingsley City." "Kingsley City?" Emily gave a firm nod and said, "You might not be familiar with that area. Here's the thing. Over ten years ago, it was notorious for being a hotspot for all the wrong reasons. "After a crackdown, the shady characters thinned out. But due to its location, it still attracts a mixed crowd. Plus, it's right by the river, making it a prime spot for under-the-table deals. "If the cops show up, it's a breeze to make a getaway. So, even though it's not as bad as it used to be, it's still not a place where regular folks hang out." The mention of shady characters made my heart lurch, and I could not help but frown. "You mean Rebecca went there?" Emily confirmed with a nod. "It's not odd for her to be there, but what's odd is that I saw her chatting with two guys who looked foreign. She was speaking with them in a language I couldn't understand. "I was tied up with my own stuff and didn't pay much attention, but the more I think about it, the more it bothers me." It was not surprising that Rebecca had connections across the border, but Lake City was not exactly a stone's throw from there. How did she end up in contact with people from the border and in a sketchy place like Kingsley City, of all places? Emily noticed my furrowed brows and hesitated before suggesting, "Yvette, maybe when you get a chance, you could check in with your friend. See if she's in a financial bind or something. "Lake City isn't the border. Messing with drugs here is playing with fire, especially for a woman on her own with a kid. One wrong move and it's not just her on the line—it's her child too." I nodded, my thoughts drifting to Lucas' situation. I felt a tightness in my chest. I managed a weak smile and said, "Got it. Thanks for the heads-up." She shook her head a little, dismissing the thanks. "No need for formalities between us. Oh, and don't forget, tomorrow's Madam Young's birthday bash. You're coming, aren't you?" I had nearly let the whole thing slip my mind until Emily brought it up. I nodded. "Sure, I'll be there." We were, after all, in the same city. Despite the tangled history between me and Idris, our families—the Youngs and the Scotts—still managed to collaborate from time to time. Plus, the Youngs' matriarch had gone out of her way to invite me. It would be rude not to show up. We chatted for a bit, and as the evening crept in, Emily suggested a trip to the mall. She was overdue for a break and had her eye on some new jewelry. I had no other plans, so I tagged along. After settling the bill, Emily popped into the private room to say hi to Idris and was back in a flash. I hung around outside the restaurant, waiting for Emily to come out so that we could leave. She glanced at the sky and remarked, "Looks like it's going to rain. Did you bring an umbrella?" I replied, "Nope. We'll be inside the mall anyway. If it starts pouring, I'll just pick one up there." With a chuckle, we made our way to the mall. Truth be told, I was not exactly excited to shop. Jewelry, clothes—it was all the same to me. I just shadowed Emily, window-shopping at her favorite luxury spots. She was a well-known face there, and the staff flocked to her the moment we stepped in.