Ayla's pupils dilated, her hands trembling slightly in trepidation.
That voice…
All this time, she had chosen to immerse herself in what she missed in her first life, almost acting like she hadn't died.
But hearing her killer's voice… her heart almost jumped out of her mouth.
But that wasn't what frightened her the most.
Silas and Elena didn't meet at this time.
They met later in the future.
So what was this?
As she lingered by the machine, a small queue formed behind her and the people on it grew impatient.
"She's just withdrawing money not giving birth, what's taking so long?"
Hearing the complaint, Ayla swallowed forcefully and stiffly took out her card, clenching it tightly in her palm as she turned to face Elena Simmons squarely.
Staring into her killer's smiling face, her grip on her card tightened.
This smile... it was the exact same one she had on when she hauled her off the roof.
It wasn't until now that she realized Elena also had this same smile when she came to the house saying she was Silas' mistress.
Because of how calm she explained the entire situation, not once screaming or raising her voice at Ayla, Talia and Silas felt he hadn't done anything wrong keeping a mistress.
After all, unlike his wife who was currently screaming at his mistress, Elena didn't show any sign of hostility and continued being 'reasonable'.
Clenching the card even tighter, Ayla forced on a smile and moved out of the way to allow someone else use the machine.
As the person passed by, Elena dragged him back, frowning hard as she pointed at Ayla.
"What are you doing? She hasn't withdrawn yet, isn't that right?"
Ayla, however, was frozen and mentally trying to recall if she had a memory like this in her past life.
Her pupils dilated the next second.
Just like the debt she suddenly had, this… also never happened.
"Look at her. Isn't it obvious she has no money?" After a while went by without a response from her, the man shrugged off Elena's hand and waltzed toward the machine.
"That's impossible! She's married to…" Elena was quickly refuting when she abruptly stopped, eyes flying to Ayla.
Ayla blinked, the half-cut sentence sinking in while she maintained a neutral, oblivious expression like she hadn't heard a word Elena uttered.
So that's what this was.
Seeing how Elena was coming to her, then this must be her trying to find out more about Silas.
So they hadn't met yet or done anything?
Did this encounter really happen in her past life and she was simply too out of it to notice?
As her mind wandered, Elena scrutinized her for several seconds and confirmed it was really her.
Scratching the back of her head, she inched toward Ayla, her brows knitting worriedly, "Ma'am, you don't seem to have taken any money. Do I make you uncomfor…"
"I have to leave now." Ayla interrupted and proceeded to squeeze out from beside her.
She got inside the waiting taxi but instead of going to work, she asked him to go around to a betting center.
Alighting, she took out her gold bracelet and shoved it toward him.
The man was a little taken aback and didn't reach forward to take it.
"This is no money."
"That's because I have no money to give you. Pawn this at a pawnshop. It'll be more than enough." She clarified and shoved it into his palm brfore heading into the building.
As soon as she stepped into the building, the taxi tried to drive off, but a black Audi blocked it from leaving.
After a while, Ezra Hale alighted from it wearing an overly casually sweatpant and sweatshirt paired with a face cap.
The taxi driver watched in confusion as he strutted to his window and dipped into his pocket for his wallet.
A moment later, he took out some money to give to the driver, informing with a straight face, "A pawnshop will ask you for the bracelet's certificate. If you can't provide it, they'll take the bracelet and you'll still spend a few months in prison."
Hearing this, the driver didn't argue and obediently handed him the bracelet.
Without sparing the driver another look, Ezra lowered his eyes to peer at the bracelet on his palm, a flicker of emotion flashing past them as he did.
Slipping it into his pocket, he raised his eyes toward the betting shop Ayla walked into.
What was a Bespoke Tailor doing in a betting shop?
Silas didn't have any debt he was aware of and she still had her job, so what could she possibly be looking for in a betting shop?
Nevertheless, he pulled up his hoodie and glanced around briefly before heading in.
As he stepped into the bustling shop, he easily found her at the front desk, going through the current game available with a straight face.
"I'm telling you, our kid isn't bad. He's definitely the best footballer we've ever had since a long time."
"Right! Because of him, our nation will surely win its second World Cup in thirty years!"
"Tell me about it. Anyone who doesn't see he's going to win is simply blind."
Hearing the excited voices of some passing gamblers, Ezra glanced toward the multi-screen video walls.
Right.
This was the time a new and talented player, Joseph Muffler rose from Maple County.
He made the news and climbed through the ranks rather quickly despite his poor background and was accepted into the national team, the Crones, about a year ago.
Currently, they were playing against another country's national team called the Champions Club who were as unbeatable as their name denoted.
They also had a star player named David Huffman. Not only was he from a wealthy family compared to Joseph, he was also as talented.
Well, Joseph was good and gave hope to the nation, but at the end of the day, the match ended with 5:3. With the Crones going home losers.
Of course no one here could've predicted such an outcome. Even people from outside the nation didn't think the Crones would lose.
"Excuse me, I want to place a bet on the Champions Club!" Ayla was too excited to see this event which happened by this time in her past life and didn't know when she blurted out in excitement.
The words had barely rolled off her tongue when the room instantly fell silent.
And the clerk stared her down for a moment before taking a step backward.
Only then did she realize the danger she put herself blurting out her bet with such excitement.
Glancing around at the room full of people glaring daggers at her, she clenched her jaw tightly.
For a moment, she had forgotten how on edge the nation was during this time. Many had high hopes towards Joseph Muffler and spent all of their money betting on him.
Hence, betting on the rival team was nothing short of asking for a beating.
"Tell me, did I hear wrongly?"
"You mean her asking for our fists in her face? No, you didn't!"
As the duo behind her hissed in annoyance, a man got up and began heading toward her with a clenched fist.
"Betting against your country? You trying to curse us, bitch?"
Ezra's eyes instantly darkened and he took a step forward.
He had just taken another step toward the furious man when someone in a hurry brushed past him, hurrying to shield Ayla, hands spread wide open protectively.
"Don't be foolish. It's clearly her first time betting and she probably made such a bet after seeing who David Huffman."
"Rather than try to intimidate a woman, you should be ashamed of yourself! Most importantly, be more understanding!"
Ezra momentarily paused, his brows knitting into a tight frown as he instantly recognized her.
So they already met before Elena became Silas' mistress?
The furious man was only calm for a few seconds before he pointed his rough hands in Elena's face, screaming angrily, "What nonsense are you spouting now? That wench behind you is clearly trying to jinx us!"
"Look around, there's not a single information about David Huffman or the Champions Club anywhere but she still chose to bet on them! Nothing screams 'I want a beating!' more than that!"
The people who were almost seeing reason with Elena heard him and became unreasonable again.
This time, they even clamored and got up, trying to beat her up.
Ezra snapped back to reality and began squeezing through the crowd, standing just an arm grab away in case someone decided to throw hands all of a sudden.
Elena pretended to calm the crowds by yelling out in a louder voice, "Stop it! She's not the one who told you to use up your entire savings to place the bets."
"Besides, she's the only one who placed a bet on Champions Club here, why do you think she's capable of jinxing it?"
Though her words suggested something else, her brash, condescending tone as she spoke made them realize something and they took a closer look at this person she was soulfully defending.
At this time, Ayla was still wearing nice clothes.
Though she had toned it down a bit, it was still pretty obvious her clothes and handbag were expensive.
Since she had a 'spokesperson' and wore such expensive clothes, it didn't take the crowd long to figure out Elena was outrightly mocking them and they grew even more enraged.
"All these wealthy folks think they can come in here and jinx us, let's throw her out!"
"No, beat her up first then throw her out!"
"Let's strip her first…"
Ayla was astounded by such barbarous motives.
But then again… this was the city with millions of people in it. If they did rob her, she doubted if she'd remember anyone's facial features enough to report them to the secular authorities.
Glancing at the clerk, she bit down on her lower lip and looked away.
No, she couldn't withdraw her bet.
She had no money at the moment, so she had to place the bet with her second bracelet.
Since the game was to be played in three days' time, it was her only chance at getting money until she received her salary for the month.
"Why don't we do it this way? She hands over her expensive bag, shoes and necklace to the clerk then in three days' time when the match has been played and we've gotten our winning club, if Champion Club does win, we give her her bag, but if the Crones win, we don't give it to her."
It was a win-win situation.
Furthermore, they felt having such a great stake would cancel out whatever bad karma Ayla invited upon them earlier, so they agreed.
She immediately exhaled in relief and was just about to hand over the handbag when a hand came out of nowhere and snatched it away, an irritable scoff escaping his lungs as everyone's eyes darted toward him.
"I'll do you one better. If Champions Club ends up winning, you'll apologize to her for your foul behavior, and this betting center will give her all the money it will have made in three days starting today."
The people first exchanged wary glances before they shrugged and accepted his condition.
Realizing Ayla had fallen right where she wanted, Elena's cheeks couldn't help stretching into a wide grin.