Chapter 258 The Girl in Red
In Golden Valley, taking someone out in broad daylight, especially someone as loaded and influential as Skyview, wasn't just a crime—it was a death wish. The government wouldn't let that slide.
Even the best hitman left some kind of trail. Unlike a ghostly hacker, their moves were in the real world, traceable, and impossible to completely cover up. Messing with a government like Golden Valley's, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, was asking for a manhunt that only ended one way.
A quiet kill, though it would still spark an investigation, wouldn't cause the same chaos. It wouldn't be all over the news or tarnish the city's reputation.. The killer could move with some confidence, knowing they hadn't crossed that line.
As long as Skyview stayed in the crowd, blending in with the tourists, he was pretty safe. No hitman would risk a public hit. To lure the assassin, he had to actively go to a quiet place.
Mystic Mountain, despite its popularity, was huge. Hidden trails and forgotten corners offered plenty of places to vanish. The pavilion they found was one of those spots, tucked away on the mountain's backside, reachable only by a winding path through a small cave. The scenery wasn't anything special, which explained the lack of visitors. Weeds poked through the flagstones, a clear sign of neglect.
Worn out from the climb, Skyview and Lily sat in the pavilion.
"Never thought Mystic Mountain would have a spot this chill," Lily said, uncapping a water bottle and taking a long drink. She looked around at the overgrown plants, the air thick with the smell of damp earth and pine needles.
"Fate, my dear Lily." Skyview chuckled. "A hidden gem, perfect for a romantic moment."
"Don't even joke about that," Lily shot back, though a faint blush crept up her cheeks.
Skyview's gaze lingered on her, an unmistakable gleam of admiration in his eyes. It was the look of a man smitten, and Lily, used to fending off the advances of older, creepy businessmen, found herself oddly flustered. Skyview's youthful charm, his undeniable charisma, chipped away at her defenses.
"Honestly," she muttered, turning away slightly, "you're impossible. Your girlfriend is going to have her hands full."
"The future can wait," Skyview said softly. "Right now, all I see is a beautiful woman."
Lily's heart skipped a beat. She didn't dislike Skyview, which was a risky situation. Dislike was safe. Indifference was manageable. But this was a complication she didn't need. He had a girlfriend, and besides, he was her boss. Office romances were messy at best, disastrous at worst.
As if on cue, a child's voice, sweet and high-pitched, drifted through the air. A nursery rhyme, sung with an innocence that felt jarring against the stillness of the woods. The sound sent a shiver down Lily's spine.
The singing got closer, along with the rustle of leaves and the snap of twigs. A small figure emerged from the trees—a little girl in a red dress, a large black backpack dwarfing her tiny frame. She skipped along the path, her face a picture of childish glee.
Normally, the sight would have been endearing. But Skyview felt a chill run down his spine, his eyes hardening. This was no ordinary child.
Lily, sensing his change in demeanor, glanced at him sharply. She felt a sudden sense of oppression.
The little girl reached the pavilion, her gaze flitting between Skyview and Lily with open curiosity. "Well, hello there, little one," Skyview said, forcing a smile. "You seem to be lost. Where are your parents?"
The girl giggled. "What are you two doing here?"
"We're having a private moment," Skyview replied. "Something you wouldn't understand. This isn't a place for children. You should run along now."
"I can't," the girl said, her brow furrowing.
"Why not?"
"I'm lost."
Skyview feigned concern. "Oh dear, that's not good. It's dangerous for a little girl to be out here alone. There are bad people around, you know."
"Are you a bad man?" the girl asked, tilting her head.
"Of course not." Skyview chuckled. "I'm a very good man."
"Then you must be a pervert," the girl stated matter-of-factly.
Skyview pretended to scowl, sticking out his tongue. "You caught me! I'm a big, bad pervert! I'm going to gobble you up!"
"You won't," the girl said, her smile unwavering. "You're not a pervert. You're a good man."
Skyview threw up his hands in mock surrender. "You're too smart for me. What am I going to do with you?"
"A good man would help a lost girl," she replied simply.
"You're right," Skyview said, his voice taking on a gentle tone. "Don't worry, little one. Tell me where you live."
He appeared every bit the kind stranger, offering comfort to a lost child. But beneath the surface, a different game was being played.
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