Poppy kept her expression calm. "This… doesn't look like the right place. My memory must've mixed up the estate."
"Then where exactly were you planning to go?" He asked suspiciously. He didn't buy her explanation one bit. "If you tell me, I may be of help."
"Bentley's Floral," she said smoothly, already prepared for this situation. "I want fresh flowers for my new home. The second thing I detest the most after lies is bad floral arrangements. I refuse to live with either."
Liam stared at her. Her story sounded ridiculous, but the location did make sense.
The Langfords owned the entire Ave realty, and they'd donated an estate to Bentley floral years ago because of the funeral home here. However, the floral shop gained popularity over the years.
He relaxed a little.
"It's on 5th Ave. We can go there. But… can I make a request?"
"What is it?"
"This is the Langford's funeral home," he pointed at the enormous building beside them. "I have something important to handle. Will you allow me to step inside for a few minutes?"
Poppy almost smiled. Fate was finally helping her.
"Of course," she said sweetly.
Relief washed over Liam until she added:
"Only if you take me with you."
His face dropped.
"I detest waiting," she said simply. "I'd rather follow you than sit alone in the car."
Liam battled with himself. He didn't want her inside. But he also believed she couldn't do anything while she was with him.
"Just stay close, Mrs. Langford."
Inside the facility, the area was quiet and surrounded by manicured lawns and marble pathways. Poppy thought it was a disturbingly beautiful environment for a funeral home.
Two guards stood outside, and Liam walked ahead to speak with them while she stayed a few steps behind.
As they spoke in low tones, Poppy looked around the environment, and she caught sight of someone peeking at them from the corner of the building.
The man in black turned away almost immediately unaware that Poppy had seen him.
Without thinking, she followed the direction he disappeared to, but as she turned to the corner, she froze.
There were more of them.
Three extra men dressed alike gathered with the first man. They whispered hurriedly before walking toward the back of the building.
Poppy kept her steps light as she trailed after them until they finally stopped in front of James.
Her blood turned cold.
James looked furious and panicked on seeing them.
"Sir, Liam is here," one of the men whispered urgently.
He cursed under his breath. "Stall him. I don't care how—just keep him away from the crematorium."
"Yes, Sir," the men hurried off.
James didn't wait. He strode straight toward the back of the building, and Poppy followed him.
She only stopped when he pushed into a room with a half-glass door.
It was the cremator room.
Her breath strangled in her throat. She peeked through the small glass panel on the door, and saw Sarah standing in front of the wide observation window that looked directly into the crematorium.
She'd finally found them.
Sarah's pale face brightened the moment James walked in. "What took you so long? Did something happen?"
"Liam's here," James said flatly.
Sarah stiffened. "What?! Why?! Did he see you?!"
"No. I told the guards to stall him until we sneak out." His unbothered tone made her shoulders relax slightly.
"We just need to finish this and leave," he continued, his gaze sliding to the furnace. "Is it done?"
"Almost. You know it'll take longer… given how fat she was."
James scoffed. "Useless woman. Even in death she's a burden."
Poppy's stomach twisted violently. She hadn't seen the body before they shoved it inside, but hearing them talk about it…
Her chest tightened until her vision blurred. She didn't want to believe it, and she was afraid to face it, but denying it now was pointless.
The body they were cremating was her original body!
Her nails pierced her palm as she fought the urge to scream.