Chapter 181

Yesenia's eyes held a silent plea, begging Clifford not to embarrass her. He stared

at her for a few seconds before giving a slight nod. "Right."

Yesenia let out a breath of relief, a triumphant smirk replacing her worried

expression.

"Really?" Mortimer's brows knitted together. That didn't sound right. The tapping on the window hadn't sounded like a dog.

"What are you still standing here for? Get out!" Lennon hissed, giving his son a subtle, warning look.

Mortimer grumbled and walked away.

Inside the car, Latisha tugged at her collar. It was getting harder and harder to breathe. The thick smoke filling the small space made it even worse. She gasped for air, but her lungs burned with every shallow breath.

Mortimer walked back to the car and tapped on the window again. “Is someone in there?"

Latisha managed to lift her head and saw him leaning down, trying to peer inside. The tint was too dark. She summoned the last of her strength and slapped her hand against the glass. The sweaty print of her palm was just visible enough for Mortimer to see.

The sudden appearance of a hand made him jump back. He watched as it slowly slid down the window and disappeared.

"Holy..."

It finally clicked. There really was a person in there.

He looked around, then grabbed a rock from the edge of the road, intending to smash the window. But then he saw the license plate and hesitated.

Instead, he pulled out his phone and made a call.

"Get over here now! You've got five minutes. It's life or death!" He hung up before the person on the other end could even respond.

He crouched down to examine the lock, pulling a small set of tools from his pocket. After a few failed attempts, he realized he didn't have the skill for this.

His friend, who had been with him earlier, arrived in under three minutes, carrying a toolbox.

“Hey, I planted the bug in your dad's car,” the friend announced. “Now you'll know every time he sneaks off with another woman."

Mortimer slapped him on the back of the head. "Keep your voice down. Can you open this?"

That was the real reason he was here tonight to plant bugs and cameras sin his father's car. His mother had become convinced her husband was having an affair and

was threatening divorce. She had

I him to

evidence to

ensure his father would be left with

nothing.

The teenager examined the door handle. "A Maybach? This is tough, but I can try."

"Go around to the other side," Mortimer instructed. "Too many people over here.”

They moved to the side of the car

shielded by a row of hedges, and the teenager got to work. Mortimer

stood watch, chain-smoking as he

waited After nearly half an hour his

patience wore thin. "Are you getting

anywhere with that?"

“Almost,” the teenager muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. He gave his tool a final

twist. There was a soft 'click'.

"It's open!"

Mortimer rushed over and peered inside. He froze.

Lying on the backseat was a woman in a white sweater and a red apron. Her ponytail had come undone and Strands of hair were stuck to her pale, sweat-slicked face.