Chapter 280
Chapter 280:
He had claimed more than once that he had never explored the area closely, yet the way he moved suggested he knew every narrow path by heart.
The house looked old and worn down. The place was in disarray, but the signs of past life were obvious. Near the entrance, the hearth bore deep marks that only years of use could leave behind.
“Do you want to step inside?” When Quentin noticed the confusion on Kailey’s face, he added, “Since we’re already here, I thought you might be curious. Most young women can’t resist taking a look p>
Kailey met his gaze calmly. “You’re mistaken. I’ve never been interested in things that have nothing to do with me p>
His expression tightened briefly, but he quickly laughed it off. “I guess I’m getting old and can’t keep up with how you younger people think. It doesn’t matter. If you’re not interested, we won’t go in. Let’s head to the cave instead p>
When they reached the cave’s side entrance, there were no thick branches hanging overhead, leaving the view clear. Not far away, two of their colleagues could be seen moving about. Only then did Kailey feel her tension ease. She took a flashlight out of her bag and switched it on.
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻
“Is this what your work is usually like? Traveling from place to place?” she asked.
“More or less. Does that sound boring to you p>
“Not at all. It’s a specialized field, and you’re always out in nature. Your survival skills are far beyond ours, and you have a kind of freedom that most people don’t. I’m sure plenty of people would envy that p>
“You’re right.” Quentin smiled and used his hiking pole to sweep aside a spider web in front of them. “But sometimes I still feel lost. I don’t always know what I’m holding on to p>
As they continued talking, the air between them softened. At first, Kailey had kept her guard up — but the longer they spoke, the more she began to think she might have misjudged him. Quentin truly seemed like a decent man.
“I found it!” Quentin’s voice rang out through the cave. He lifted a stone and looked at Kailey with clear excitement. “I was sure it would be here. Take a look. Is this the shade you’re searching for p>
Kailey stepped closer and took the rock from him. She studied it carefully, then struck it firmly against a nearby stone.
The outer layer cracked apart. Dust and debris fell away, revealing a pinkish-white crystal beneath that caught the light and shimmered.
Her eyes brightened at once. “This is exactly what we need p>
It was crystal — yet nothing currently on the market had this level of clarity or transparency.
The cave was dim, and both of them relied on flashlights. When Quentin lifted his gaze, he saw her smiling at the stone in her hands. The soft beam of light blurred the edges of her features, and for a brief moment, she looked almost unreal. The sight stirred an old memory he had tried not to revisit.