When fate plays its hand

The two of them had gotten into the pickup truck at 7:30 am. Sam was unable to handle the bumpy ride and ended up vomiting.

Paul turned his head to look out the window.

After he rinsed his mouth with bottled water, the first thing Sam said was, “I’m not carsick.

11

His next words were, “There’s something wrong with your bread.”

“Oh,” Paul replied.

“I’m really not carsick.”

“I didn’t say that you’re carsick.”

Sam didn’t respond. He knew from Paul’s expression and actions that he was thinking it.

Paul felt a little wronged by Sam’s accusatory look, but he really wanted to laugh at him.

Micah noticed his condition and offered kindly, “If you’re carsick, open the windows and let the cold air in. It’ll help.”

Sam insisted, “I! Wasn’t! Carsick!”

Micah chuckled. “You northerners are so prideful. What’s wrong with admitting you’re carsick? It’s not anything shameful.”

Paul frowned. “From what you’re saying, you must have had other passengers who were northerners?” NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.

“Of course! I had a few young folks in my car a few days ago. A young man was just like him. He was clearly carsick, but he kept insisting he wasn’t,” Micah answered cheerfully.

Sam also picked up on Paul’s interest and sat up straighter. “Were they two women and one man heading to the Clifford residence in Swampert Village?”

“Huh? You know them?”

Paul and Sam exchanged a look. They took the opportunity to ask Micah about the Cliffords. In the course of the conversation, the Sneider brothers were inevitably mentioned.

Micah immediately grew evasive and pretended not to know anything, refusing to answer their questions.

Sam took out his wallet and opened it. There were plenty of bank cards, but he had no cash. Just as he was feeling frustrated, a thick wad of hundred–dollar bills appeared before his eyes. He followed the hand holding the cash to see Paul signaling toward the driver’s seat

with his eyes.

Sam glanced at the bag by Paul’s side and silently accepted the money. He resolved inwardly to bring a bag next time and stuff it full with everything he might need!

First, Sam lit a cigarette for himself and took a few puffs. Then, he offered one to Micah. ” Here you go, Mr. Lewis.”

His polite tone caught Paul’s attention, making him turn around to look in Sam’s direction. Sam raised a questioning eyebrow. What? Was Paul stunned by his actions?

Paul was indeed a little surprised. He didn’t expect a proud man like Sam to humble himself and address a truck driver in such a respectful manner.

Sam’s eyes were gleaming with the sharpness and cunning of a businessman. Paul said nothing, as he knew from Sam’s meaningful look that he was asking him to watch and learn!

Micah took the cigarette without hesitation. He said with a smile, “Thanks! And it’s Winston, no less. I knew it from the smell as soon as you lit it!”

Sam smirked. “You’ve got good taste.”

“Of course! Good tobacco is definitely different!”

As Micah’s hands were occupied, Sam noticed that he was going to tuck the cigarette behind his ear. He offered with a quick motion, “Here, I’ll light it for you.”

“Oh, no need to trouble yourself.”

Despite his protests, Micah put the cigarette in his mouth instead of behind his ear. Sam flicked his lighter and lit the cigarette for him.

Micah took a couple of drags and grinned even wider. “It’s not that I don’t want to tell you guys, but it’s… The Sneiders are not worth messing with. If they find out that I’ve been talking behind their backs…”

Sam nodded and said, “I understand. You’re taking a risk, so we have to show our sincerity as well.”

With that, he stuffed the wad of cash into Micah’s jacket pocket.

At that moment, Micah started spilling the beans. He told them everything he knew about the Sneider family’s rise to power, to the Sneider brothers‘ terrorizing behavior in the village. He didn’t hold anything back.

“The reason Kenny and Shawn are so brazen is that they have backing from powerful people. They have someone protecting them. Apparently…”

As Micah went on, Paul and Sam’s expressions grew increasingly grim. Clearly, going in

alone wasn’t an option. They realized that they would need to make thorough preparations.

The