Lauren's reaction was lightning-fast, pressing her ear against my phone.

I was at a loss for words.

Liora's voice rang out from the phone, seemingly carefree. She continued in a cryptic tone, "Surprised, huh? Well, it's not every day I call someone like you."

"Indeed! Considering I don't have much rapport with you, Ms. Liora, your call must have ulterior motives. So, spill it. What's the game plan?" I scoffed, dripping with sarcasm.

"Haha... How about we meet?" She suggested, taking me off guard once again. This was truly bewildering. What kind of scheme was she cooking up?

"Meet? There's got to be a reason for that," I casually remarked, and Lauren gave me a thumbs up.

"Some things are better to be discussed face-to-face," Liora confidently asserted.

"I don't think it's necessary to talk with you. Is your bag of tricks running dry? It can't be, right?" I responded disdainfully.

"Chloe, what about Ardora? Don't you have anything to say?"

"I'm not interested." I declared firml