Chapter 208: A Stranger at the Door

The most important thing was that he didn't recognize this person, and there was no trace of this face in his memory. Yet, this guy was staring at him with a dark, intense expression, like a cold-blooded, sharp-tongued snake ready to strike, poised to bite and squeeze the life out of him. At the same time, a strange chill swept through the air. James couldn’t help but shiver, his voice faltering as he asked, “Who are you? What do you want?”

“You don’t recognize me?”

The man in front of him exuded an overwhelming presence, his words carrying a sense of intimidation. James was left questioning everything, wondering if this man was someone he should know. After replaying countless memories in his mind, he was sure he didn’t recognize him. With a bit of hesitation, he muttered, “No, I don’t.”

He had only moved into this place a few days ago. Could this guy be someone from the previous tenant’s past, showing up to settle a score?

As that thought hit him, James got even more nervous, regretting ever opening the door. The man’s gaze was sharp, like a blade slicing through the air, as if he were sizing up someone about to meet their end. James subtly took a step back, trying not to let the man notice his intent to close the door. He forced a smile that mixed a hint of flattery and said, “Hey man, I don’t know you. You must be looking for the wrong person. L…”

“Ellis. Where is she? Bring her out.”

Easton’s sudden commanding tone caught James off guard. He paused for a moment, trying to think if he knew the person Easton had mentioned. But he didn’t recognize that name at all! Could this guy really be some enemy of the previous tenant, coming to settle a score? The man looked so dangerous, like he was ready to attack at any second!

The murder cases he had seen on the news flashed through James’s mind. He sized up both of them, comparing their builds and trying to gauge their strength. After a quick assessment, he realized there was no way he could take on this guy. I can’t take him on, I have to escape!

Not wanting to provoke the man and risk making him act faster, James decided to buy himself some time by closing the door. He quickly said, “Look, man, I don’t know the person you’re talking about. I live here on my own.”

It was strange. As soon as he spoke, the murderous aura around the man seemed to fade away. The intensity in his gaze softened, and he frowned, likely deep in thought.

“When did you move in here? Living alone?”

In response to Easton’s question, James nodded rapidly, almost like he was trying to break his neck from how fast he was shaking his head. He said earnestly, “I moved in a few days ago, and yes, I live alone.”

Easton had come looking for Ellis but didn’t find her. Instead, it was this unfamiliar young guy who opened the door. He claimed to have just moved in and was living alone. So where was Ellis staying?

Easton relaxed his furrowed brows and looked down at James with his usual indifferent expression. He pursed his lips and asked, “The person I’m talking about is the previous tenant. Do you know when she moved out, or where she went?”

It was the first time James had seen someone change so completely in such a short amount of time, like he was an entirely different person. Just a few minutes ago, the guy had seemed ready to attack. Now, though he still gave off an icy vibe that kept people at arm’s length, the dangerous edge was gone. The man actually seemed… a little more controlled? Maybe even slightly refined?

“Refined” didn’t quite hit the mark either. James scratched his head, trying to think of a better word. Finally, he said, “I rented the place through an agent. I’ve never met the previous tenant, so I don’t know anything about her.”

“Alright, thanks.”

Easton wasn’t bothered by not finding Ellis’s current address right away. The moment Easton turned and left, he had someone investigate right away.

Standing at the door, James smacked his forehead, using the pain to snap himself back to reality. Next time the doorbell rings and he sees a stranger on the screen, he’ll make sure not to open the door. He needs to figure out who the person is and what they want, to avoid running into trouble. Otherwise, if a stranger suddenly rings his doorbell late at night and he opens the door without thinking, what if he runs into the wrong kind of person? Someone reckless, out of their mind, and capable of committing a crime? Tonight could turn into a nightmare for him.

Outside Sunshine Estates, Ronnie, waiting for Easton to come out, stood by the roadside, bored, smoking a cigarette. He calculated that he’d finish it quickly, hoping the wind would blow the smoke away so that Easton wouldn’t catch a whiff. If Easton smelled it, he could kiss his job goodbye. After all, both Ellis and Easton hated the smell of smoke. Although Easton used to smoke, somehow, he quit.

Ronnie was just a few puffs away from finishing his cigarette when he saw Easton in the distance. In a panic, he quickly stubbed out the cigarette and desperately waved his hand to fan the smoke away. As he nervously waited, Easton reached the car, didn’t even spare him a glance, and simply asked for the car keys before driving off.

Inside the car, Easton drove aimlessly… Wait, no. He had a purpose. Since he couldn’t get Ellis’s new address right away, he deduced that her new place must be somewhere near the Tate Group headquarters, based on the location of her company. Until he found out more, he could drive around the area centered around the Tate Group. There was no music, no one talking, just him, in the quiet space, which was good for thinking. But he wasn’t really thinking about anything important. Instead, his mind kept drifting back to the young man who had been living at Ellis’s old place.