Chapter 416

Chapter 416:
Realizing he had no idea, Stella filled him in. “She showed up that day, claiming you two were engaged. Told our colleagues to keep an eye out for any woman who had ‘intentions’ toward you.”
It had been a few days, but recalling it still made Stella feel wrongly accused.
William’s face darkened as he listened.
He didn’t like people speaking for him, especially not about things he’d never confirmed.
He had never once called Willow his fiancée.
Neither of them said a word the entire ride. Stella followed the tracker’s signal to a run-down, no-frills hair salon—one of those cheap, privately-owned places stuck in the ’90s, with flickering neon signs and faded wallpaper.
She checked her navigation again. Still pointed here.
Well, she was already at the door. No point turning back just because it looked sketchy. She took a breath and walked in.
William followed behind, his eyes scanning the place.
A middle-aged woman behind the counter looked up and smiled. “You two here for a haircut?”
Stella smiled politely. “Do you have a lounge upstairs? I’m feeling a little tired. Can I lie down while you wash my hair?”
The woman blinked, caught off guard, then shook her head. “Upstairs is just a massage room, dear. We don’t wash hair up there.”
As she spoke, her eyes flicked to William. She stared. She had clearly never seen a man like him up close.
“Then we’ll go up for a massage,” Stella said casually, already heading toward the stairs. “Anyone up there?”
Still eyeing William, the woman answered absently, “No one.”
No one? Stella frowned. Then how did the bug end up here?
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No time to dwell on it—she needed to check upstairs. William caught on and stayed behind to distract the woman.
“How much for a hair wash?” he asked casually.
The woman perked up immediately. “Not expensive! Just thirty bucks.” Thirty? In the middle of Choria?
William couldn’t believe prices like that still existed.
The woman went on excitedly, “Comes with a free head massage! I learned the technique abroad, very professional. Handsome, let me wash your hair. I’m really good at it!”
Meanwhile upstairs, Stella searched every corner.
There were only two rooms.
She checked them both thoroughly, but nothing stood out. She was about to give up when she opened a wardrobe and spotted a familiar coat.
It belonged to one of Nixon’s men—he must’ve come back here after taking the coat yesterday.
She checked the pockets and, sure enough, found the bug still inside.
She left it untouched, then turned to leave—but paused. Something under the bed caught her eye.
.
.
.