“Not yet!” Lambert chuckled, “I’m parched and want to get a cup of coffee. You coming?”
Estelle turned her head and indeed spotted a cozy café on the corner.
She shook her head, “Nah, thanks.”
“I’ll be right back!” Lambert said as he opened the car door and strode toward the café.
Estelle watched his retreating figure until he disappeared into the shop. She saw him grab a coffee but he didn’t
leave right away. Instead, he struck up a conversation with a girl sporting a ponytail just outside the shop.
Estelle sighed and glanced down at her phone.
When she looked up again, Lambert had vanished from the café entrance. A surge of concern flashed through
her, and she quickly got out of the car.
Approaching the café, she paused and saw Lambert under a towering oak tree at the left corner, kissing the girl
he had just chatted up.
Estelle was dumbstruck.
She turned immediately and walked back to the car. After about half an hour, Lambert returned, reeking of perfume and handing
Estelle a coffee with a lively grin,
“Don’t doze off on me, let’s chat.”
Estelle frowned at his hand, “Did you wash your hands before grabbing that coffee?”
Lambert paused, then laughed, “Don’t worry, they’re squeaky clean.”
Estelle took the cup and set it aside without taking a sip.
Before dusk, they arrived at Zion.
This was a subtle form of coercion, ensuring their unwavering loyalty to Zion.
The car came to a halt, and Lambert turned to Estelle, “Time to put on your best performance. Don’t treat me
like you did earlier!”
Lambert looked at her, feigning shock, “You know about that particular penchant of mine?”
As they got out of the car, a middle-aged man approached and embraced Lambert, “Welcome to Zion, Mr.
Brennan!”
The man raised an eyebrow, “He’s tied up with some business, but he’ll meet with you tomorrow morning.”
He then gestured to the man, “This is Huff, Zion’s head steward.”