Chapter 1493

Classes dismissed, Roxanne parked roadside. Exiting her car, she composed herself and hurried to the school gate to await her children. Parents converged, quickly engulfing Roxanne in the throng.

Ophelia, waiting at a street corner, ensured Roxanne couldn't see her before cautiously approaching Roxanne's car. Evenings notwithstanding, she wore a hat, mask, and sunglasses, attracting curious glances from passersby. Fortunately, most were preoccupied with collecting their children.

Quickly reaching the car, Ophelia crouched beside it, feigning a vehicle inspection by running her fingers along the tires. Discreetly retrieving a small bottle of lubricant, she attempted to access the disc brake. Its concealed location required considerable effort; she nearly lay on the ground.

As she prepared to apply the lubricant, heavy footsteps approached, halting beside her. Ophelia froze, her heart plummeting.

Lucian's voice, cool and detached, descended from above. "Ms. Smith, are you busy?"

Panic-stricken, Ophelia squeezed her fist, spraying lubricant across the car's chassis; some splattered onto her face. Before she could wipe it away, a hand seized and pulled her from beneath the vehicle.

Lubricated and mortified, Ophelia hung her head. "Ms. Smith? I think you've mistaken me..."

Before she could finish, a hand ripped off her mask, exposing her face. "What are you doing? Don't take my things! I'm not Ms. Smith!" She scrambled for her mask and sunglasses, but several men surrounded her. As she shielded her face, a man forcefully pulled her arm away.

"You're not? Am I speaking to a ghost?"

Lucian watched her struggle, his expression darkening. "Examine Ms. Smith's face!"

The bodyguards inspected Ophelia, reporting back. "Lubricant, Mr. Farwell."

Lucian and Ophelia's faces simultaneously altered. Dumbstruck, Ophelia shook her head, unable to articulate. The incident with Aubree, after touching Roxanne, flashed into her mind. She imagined Lucian's impending wrath.

Lucian forcefully grasped her chin. "Do you know what this is?"

Overwhelmed by his domineering presence, Ophelia's eyes widened in fear.

"Drink it, and tell me!" Lucian's voice rose. A bodyguard presented him with the lubricant bottle.

Seeing Lucian approach with it, Ophelia broke down. "All right! All right! It's lubricant!"