Six months ago, a distant cousin of mine had come to Graystone City to study for exams. I'd wanted her to stay at this apartment, but Elmer had made excuses about the place not being ready and told me to find her somewhere else.
Perhaps even then, he and Vivian had already been tangled up together.
Rage and bitterness churned inside me until every breath felt like a struggle.
The moment I reached the apartment door, the dog inside started barking. A coquettish female voice followed. "Hold on, let me put Bailey away first."
A few minutes later, the door swung open, and Vivian Mercer stood before me.
Elmer certainly had sharp taste. A girl in her early twenties, right in the bloom of youth. Her face was fresh, innocent, and undeniably beautiful.
The moment she saw me, confusion flickered across her face.
"Can I help you?"
I studied her for a moment, then spoke calmly. "If I'm not mistaken, this apartment was assigned to Professor Weiss by the university."
At that, a flash of guilt crossed Vivian's expression. She forced herself to look composed. "Who are you? What does that have to do with you?"