Chapter 749

Chapter 749:

“I’ll stay here,” Cristian said, his tone steady. “Neal and I don’t exactly have that kind of relationship. He might be uneasy if I show up. Go in, talk to him, and call me if anything goes wrong.”

Fernanda gave a brief nod and stepped into the neighborhood.

The area was aged, full of crumbling buildings and neglected streets. The potholes marred the road, while overhead wires hung in a chaotic tangle, casting a dark, oppressive shadow over the scene. She moved through the building and made her way up the worn staircase.

Arriving at Neal’s apartment, she stood before the door the man had pointed out. She knocked softly, but there was no reply.

Not even a security door stood between her and the apartment, so she reached into her pocket, pulled out a thin wire she had grabbed earlier, and expertly worked it into the lock. With a simple twist, the lock clicked open—a well-known trick in these old, timeworn neighborhoods.

The moment Fernanda stepped inside, she was hit with a nauseating blend of alcohol and a sour, rancid odor. Pinching her nose, she kicked the discarded bottles out of the way and pressed forward into the room.

Heavy curtains shut out any trace of light, plunging the space into a dark, stifling atmosphere. In the middle of the emptiness, Neal lay sprawled on the cold floor, his body twitching intermittently.

Hastily, Fernanda rushed over to check Neal’s breathing and heart rate. Only after confirming he wasn’t in immediate danger did her anxiety begin to ease.

“Neal,” Fernanda murmured gently, shaking him. “Wake up.”

It took what felt like an eternity, but eventually, Neal’s eyes fluttered open. They were bleary, and his gaze was unfocused. He stared at Fernanda for what seemed like an age, yet the recognition never came. When he finally parted his lips, a thick, pungent cloud of alcohol seeped out.

He tried to push himself upright, using his hands as leverage, but the motion set his stomach churning. After a few moments of futile dry heaving, nothing came up.

Fernanda reached for a glass of water, but there was no kettle or dispenser in sight. Luckily, she had picked up a bottle on her way over. Unscrewing it, she gently offered it to Neal.

𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 @ 𝙜ⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⸱𝙘𝙤𝙢

However, Neal weakly raised his hand, pushing her arm away without saying a word.

The bottle slipped from her hands, tumbling to the floor and spilling water in all directions.

Neal’s eyes shot open, bloodshot and wild. His glare pierced through the dim room as he sneered, “What are you doing here?” His voice was thick with venom. “Came to mock me, did you?”

Fernanda’s brow creased in confusion as she stared at Neal. “What are you going on about?”

“Quit messing with me!” Neal slurred, his words a tangled mess as he narrowed his eyes at her. “Even with a dad like mine, I’m still topnotch. I’ve snagged championships and attended the country’s most elite school, Esaham University. Who in the world… who can hold a candle to me? You lot are nothing…”

His speech was sloppy, his words blurred by alcohol. But Fernanda understood; he had her confused with someone else.

Rising, she drew back the curtains, letting fresh air into the room. “Don’t… don’t open that…” Neal protested, raising an arm against the harsh sunlight flooding in as he curled into a ball. “Please, no…”

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