Phoebe's gaze remained fixed upon the urban landscape beyond the window, following the leisurely flow of traffic while grand architectural structures blurred past her field of vision. Every now and then, her dark eyes shifted from the scenery, stealing a brief glance toward Raymond's sharp, captivating features as he remained focused behind the steering wheel. She continued observing him in silence until a particular memory suddenly resurfaced in her mind.
A sense of profound seriousness settled over Phoebe's thoughts as she carefully calculated the best way to approach the question forming within her. After several prolonged glances, Raymond eventually noticed the intensity of her attention. He briefly turned his head, meeting Phoebe's dark gaze with his own in a silent question.
"What's on your mind, Sweety?" A lethal yet captivating smile curved across Raymond's features, revealing none of the tension that had lingered from his previous encounter with her father.
