To put matters lightly, I look like an idiot dressed in white and trotting around in my heels as we enter one dingy garage after the other, talking to one big-bellied, beer reeking guy after the other.

I hate to admit it, but I'm glad Spencer tagged along with me instead of going on with Sophia. And no, I don't mean it in a way of resting assured that nothing would happen between these two, because I know Spencer enough to be certain he'd rather be hit by a bus than cheat. I'm happy he's with me and doing most of the talking with these creepy men because they're not even bothering to be discreet when it comes to ogling me.

Thankfully, Sophia taught us what to do in means of gathering evidence she might be able to use, and we parted ways to get things done faster.

The garages stink, the stench of car oil and metal is so heavy I fear it won't ever be wiped from the back of my throat. Most men are truck drivers or mechanics. None of them are inclined to talk unless we offer them a sweet hundred bucks bill, only to tell us they don't know the guy and pass us to another man who repeats the cycle.

I climb out of the car reluctantly and rub my back as I warily glance at the garage the previous guy told us to visit. The sun is slowly sinking and not having a full night's sleep along with walking around in heels is taking its toll on me.

Spencer shuts the door on his side and rounds the car. "You could've stayed in the car," he mumbles as we cross the street together.

"What makes you think I trust you enough with the information you might come across?"

He shrugs. "Suit yourself."

As we near the entrance, he inhales sharply, pulling himself to his full height and pushing his shoulders back as well as his glasses up his nose before entering the place.

I survey the area, fighting against the involuntary movement of my face's muscle, scrunching up with disgust. I tighten my hold on my purse as I note the man sitting behind an old wooden desk in the corner of the granite-colored garage.

He spares us a glance before continuing to write in his notebook.

"Careful," Spencer says, making me frown with confusion and turn to him.

Just as I open my mouth to question him, my heel catches an uneven patch on the floor causing me to lose my balance.

Spencer's hands shoot out to me, catching me on time and securing me back on my feet. His hands linger on my hand and waist. "I just told you to watch out," he grumbles under his breath, retreating his arms to his side.

"Well, you could've said that three seconds earlier," I snap, smoothing out my shirt, and moving my hair behind my shoulder.

He rolls his eyes and purses his mouth. "A thank you won't kill you."

Instead of answering him, I huff as we make our way to the desk, Spencer walking a step ahead of me.

I cross my arms as he stops in front of the desk, yet the guy doesn't look up at us.

"Can I have a word with you?" Spencer starts.

Finally, the man drags up his gaze to meet us, a greasy blond strand of hair rests on his brows. His pale blue eyes fleet from Spencer to me, raking over my body and lingering longer than needed.

"You a cop?" He shuts his notebook and leans into his seat, glancing at Spencer before zooming back on me.

I clench my jaw, biting back a harsh remark to stop the guy from staring at me.

"No," Spencer answers through gritted teeth.

A corner of the guy's mouth lifts, as he stares at my chest. "Thought so."

Spencer sharply rams the knuckle of his index finger on the desk, snapping the guy's attention to himself. The guy forces a chuckle and shifts on his seat as Spencer glares at him while planting himself on the plastic chair a foot away from him.

I hold back a groan, warily eyeing the other dirty plastic chair before giving in and hesitantly sitting down.

"My answers have a price though," the guy says, his gaze jumping between Spencer and me.

"That's not an issue. Do you know a man who was in an accident, five years ago?"

A sardonic smile slashes across his face, showing yellowed teeth. "I know a lot of people who were in accidents five years ago."

I roll my eyes. "Quit playing with us. A truck driver, from this area, ran over a Lamborghini in San Francisco five years ago, do you know him?"

"Ah." He folds his arms with a satisfied smile. "Should've known you rich people will be coming back for digging up that dirt."

My eyebrows jump. At last, someone who knows! For the first time ever since we started going around and asking, he's the first person who seems to be aware of a thing or two. I allow a little sliver of hope to trickle into my system.

This is going to be the first step leading to unraveling all the mess behind that accident and getting back at Benjamin. The thought is enough to lift my mood and make all these stupid, hardships worth it.

"So you know him. Where is he?" Spencer asks, leaning to the desk.

He frowns, shaking his head while rubbing his thumb against the pads of his index and middle finger, indicating money, as he says, "Can't remember, I guess I need a memory booster."

I grind my teeth and open my clutch, fishing out my wallet, I pull out a hundred dollar bill and lay it on the desk, raising an eyebrow.

He squints at the money, then looks at me as though trying to think. "Still nothing."

I fist my hands and glare at him. Fucking bastard. I pull out two more notes and plant them on top of the first one.

A slow smile creeps across the guy's face. "He's out of the country."

My eyes widen with surprise.

"In which country is he now?" Spencer pushes.

Again, the mocking smile returns. "You know, tough life, sometimes, some stuff slip my mind, unless," he pauses and glances at the 300 dollars I've put on his desk.

I close my eyes and inhale deeply, ignoring the stench of the place, to get a grip over my growing irritation, before adding another 200 hundred dollars to the pile.

"Canada," he replies.

"Has he changed his name?" Spencer moves to the edge of his seat, fixing a hard stare on the guy who again looks at the money and back at my wallet.

I open my mouth to cuss him out even though my fingers dig into my wallet, but Spencer's large palm lands on my hand, halting me.

Just the sense of his touch, the warmth of his hand sends a pleasant shock through my body, electrifying my senses. My heart skips a beat.

I slap myself conscious but can't bring myself to move away.

"Listen, man, I get it. you're trying to make a living for yourself, you're trying to earn more money, but this isn't going to work. Tell us everything we ask or else I do know other ways that definitely won't be in your favor." Spencer's hand falls away from mine and I instantaneously miss his touch.

Damn it, what is wrong with me!

He chuckles and leans forward, placing his forearms on the desk. "And I ain't gonna tell you anything unless you pay me higher than the other dude."

Gaping, I glance at Spencer before turning to him. "So someone paid you to keep your mouth shut about everything?"

Benjamin, or probably one of his men has paid him. This is perfect! If only we can use this evidence and send Benjamin to prison, it'll be fantastic!

He only shrugs in response.

"How much?" Spencer offers instead.

"Twenty-five grand."

"I'll pay you the double," I instantly say.

"But if we find out you've lied, even about the smallest detail... you'll regret it," Spencer finishes.

The man holds up his palms in mock defeat.

Spencer inhales sharply and pushes his glasses up his nose. "Tomorrow we'll come back, you'll say everything you know then you'll get your money."

"Done." He nods, trying to suppress his growing grin.

Spencer and I get to our feet and leave the place without another word.

"Why tomorrow?" I ask the second we're out.

"It's better to have your lawyer with us, to get things started immediately."

The sky has turned into a beautiful shade of orange and pink as the sun slithers closer to the horizon. A gentle breeze caresses my skin and I welcome the soothing feeling.

Spencer moves closer to me as we cross the street, his arm stretching around my shoulder but not touching me. A small part of me yearns for him to just close the gap while another part of me wants to put more distance.

"You really need to stop flashing out your wallet anywhere we go," he irritably whispers.

My face pinches with annoyance. "What else was I supposed to do?"

"What would have you done if he had called over a few other men with knives and shit, robbed you, and probably done worse?" He stops next to the car, unlocking it.

My lips part but no words come out.

"Why don't you let me handle it?" his voice raises slightly and I scowl at him.

"I don't need your help," I whisper shout as he forcefully opens the passenger side's door like he's transferring his entire annoyance to the poor door.

"Of course, because you're Gracie fucking Stewart. Until you don't get yourself fucked, this stupid arrogance of yours won't ever let you see that you can't take care of everything."

I tighten my fist on the strap of my clutch and glower at him harder. My free hand flies up, my index finger jabbing at him.

But before I can utter a word, he mutters, "Get in the car, now's not the place."

I clench my jaw so hard my teeth ache as I take a step to him, craning my neck to hold his dark blue eyes' burning gaze. "You are an infuriating asshole who-"

"I wasn't infuriating while you were seducing me to win one million dollars," he harshly interjects.

My words falter as the sudden flare of anger in me deflates. I look away and purse my lips. "Choosing you as my thesis adviser was my biggest mistake." I turn and meet his eyes. For a beat, hurt flashes in them, but it disappears so quickly I can't help but wonder if I imagined it.

"The feeling's mutual. Accepting you was my biggest mistake."

Ouch.

It takes me by surprise how deeply his words cut. Like a knife slashing my heart, but I don't back down and hold my ground as I glare back at him.

My lips pull back as I get tempted to curse him, but I don't and instead retreat a step and get inside the car.

Before I can reach the door, he shuts it for me and rounds the vehicle, climbing inside, behind the steering wheel, and revving the engine to life.

I shift on my spot, facing the window. It's a stupid, vain, and childish attempt at ignoring him. Not finding that helpful as my mind keeps playing back all the good memories we had together, tearing open my healing wounds, I busy myself with calling Sophia. I update her on this last guy and that we'll be meeting him tomorrow again.

Sophia and I conclude we are both tired, so we decide to get dinners separately and meet up tomorrow near the hotel Spencer and I are staying at.

For the entire ride, Spencer and I don't exchange a single word and once we get to the hotel and head to our room, we awkwardly stand in the middle of the ridiculously small suite.

They have barely fitted the queen-sized bed, with small nightstands on either side of it. The side of one of the nightstands is pressed to the wall across from me, with a narrow window and thick maroon curtains covering it. The sofa-bed on my right is an old thing, with all its foam thinned to paper. A coffee table is a few paces away from the sofa, with its length at most being twenty-five inches long. A narrow door is in the middle of the wall on my left, probably leading to the bathroom.

"I'm not sleeping on that thing," I announce and drop my bag on the coffee table.

All of my suitcases have been piled between the wall and the side of the sofa.

Spencer heaves a sigh and drops the key of the car on the table. "I know."

I open the smallest suitcase and pull out a pair of comfortable slippers. "I need my quality sleep," I add as I walk to the bed and plop down, busying myself with taking off my heels. A moan slips from my mouth as I slide my feet inside my slippers. I am not wearing heels for an entire week.

Sensing Spencer's gaze on me I glance up and he instantly looks away, pushing his glasses up. I bite my bottom lip to stop the little smile threatening to spill across my face.

"I'm going to take a shower." I stand up.

He curtly nods. "I take it you won't be eating this place's food." He meets my eyes and I shrug with a smile. Spencer shoves his hand through his hair. "I'll get us dinner." Without another word, he spins and hurries out of the room.

Tonight, is going to be a long night.

Nevertheless, a small smile tugs my mouth as I walk back to my suitcases to find something to wear.

❦ ♥︎ ❦

First update of 2022! I hope this new year has been going well so far for you guys and keeps on going well! ^^

=) I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Don't forget to vote and comment your thoughts. Sorry it was slow, but the next chapter is going to be super interesting :} 

Some of you might have noticed, I could not resist temptations and uploaded the new story idea I had, and I'm planning on writing that once this book is wrapped up, so maybe check out the blurb and if it piqued your interest, add it to your library to be notified about the updates, I'll uploading its prologue soon. The story is called, Picture Perfect Boyfriend's Formula xD [don't judge by the title, I know it sounds dumb, but hey, it's a romcom so it's okay XD

As most of you know, my finals start this coming week (in fact I have 3 exams on Sat and 1 on Sun, I really don't know what I'm doing here, I should be studying aaaahhhhh). So regarding when the next chap will be up... let's just say it's a surprise, for you and me lol.

Thank you so much for reading this chapter, and sticking around, I promise the next chap is going to be a drama infusing one =)

Stay safe, lots of love, happy reading ♡