Downtown Grendale was brimming with the lively chaos of everyday life. There, the streets were too narrow for cars, so Natalie had no choice but to park at the side of the street and continue on foot.
The road had been temporarily transformed into a farmer’s market There were stalls of every kind lining the side of the street. Natalie picked out some fruit at a stall, paid, and continued on her way.
The entire time, her mind was occupied with a problem.
Something didn’t sit right with her. In the end, she stopped and promptly called Benjamin.
As soon as the call went through, she cut to the chase. “Ben, I have theory. Look into it for me as quickly as you can.”
“Oh, my God, Natalie,” Benjamin groaned. “Even a workhorse gets breaks. I’ve been working the entire night, and I just got a chance to lie down-”
Natalie cut him off, “I’ll get you on Southelia Group’s legal retainer”
Immediately, Benjamin perked up. “Deal. Give me 30 minutes.”
“Sure,” Natalie said.
Natalie’s destination was a building at the very end of the street, quiet and secluded from the rest of the street. She stepped through the rundown entrance and climbed straight to the seventh floor.
The climb didn’t wind her. Her three months of recovery had included some basic combat training from one of her seniors, Emery Boyd. She might not be able to take on professional fighters, but she knew enough to fight off common thugs.
She raised her hand and knocked on the metal door. Slow footsteps shuffled over on the other side before the door creaked open.
An old, silver–haired woman peered out, her back hunched with age. “Who are you looking for, dearie?”
Natalie smiled warmly. “I’m here to see Sadie, ma’am.”
The old woman, Priscilla Warner, stepped aside hurriedly. “You’re Sadie’s friend? Come on in!”
Natalie stepped inside primly and handed Priscilla the fruits she had bought earlier. “I bought you some fruit from downstairs.”
Priscilla beamed. “Oh, you shouldn’t have! You’re too polite. Sadie is painting in her room. You can go on in.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” Natalie said.
The apartment was tiny, with only one bedroom. There was a makeshift cot in the living room. It looked like Priscilla slept out there while Sadie slept in the only proper bedroom.
Priscilla clearly loved Sadie, her granddaughter.
Natalie knocked politely on the bedroom door and waited for Sadie’s permission before entering.
Inside, sunlight spilled over a woman confined in a wheelchair. She was sitting in front of an easel, working on a partially completed painting.
Sadie Jefferson glanced over, her cold face devoid of any emotions. “I know why you’re here, but my answer hasn’t changed. I will not testify against Ms. Spencer.”
Benjamin had told her that Sadie would be a tough nut to crack, so Natalie was prepared. Unfazed, she took a seat and studied the painting Sadie was working on.
After a moment, she commented, “Bold colors, masterful technique–you’re clearly talented. But under these vibrant colors, I can see a trapped soul. She wants to break free, but she’s too afraid to do so. You’re in pain, aren’t you, Sadie? Torn between two emotions.”
1/2
Chapter 38.
Ahopeful light flickered in Sadie’s eyes. She stared at Natalie. “You understood my painting?”
+25 BONUS
Natalie smiled with a hint of mockery. “So, Sienna has been stealing your work without even truly knowing what it meant. These masterpieces are wasted on her.”
