Chapter 1859

chapter1859

Vivian was heading to the mountain where Joe and Skylar had once disappeared. It was a popular tourist attraction just outside of Jipsburg, a two-hour drive away.

Despite the well-established facilities and numerous surveillance cameras, her parents went missing in such a place. No footage had captured them.

Today, as she set out for the hike, she didn't tell anyone, only mentioning she had plans with some friends.

She didn't want to cause them any unnecessary worry. Vivian didn't drive herself. Instead, she took the direct shuttle to the tourist attraction, as she had brought along hiking gear.

Given that it was winter, there weren't many visitors, and the shuttle wasn't crowded.

As she gazed out the window during the ride, she was lost in thought, filled with a sense of regret.

"Why didn't I go hiking with them that day? If I had, maybe I would know what really happened," she thought about the mystery surrounding their disappearance, wondering if going to the mountain now would help her understand.

"Hey, are you hiking alone?" A middle-aged man sitting next to her interrupted her thoughts.

Vivian hadn't noticed when the middle-aged man sat down. She had been so focused on her thoughts when she boarded the bus that she didn't pay attention to the empty seat beside her.

Now, as she looked at him, she simply nodded in acknowledgment.

"Aren't you with a boyfriend or family?" Bud Snyder asked, his gaze intrusive and even somewhat aggressive as he looked Vivian up and down. His unabashed stare seemed completely oblivious to the nature of their situation.

Vivian's expression hardened. "Who I'm with is none of your business. I don't enjoy talking to strangers, so please return to your seat."

Bud was caught off guard by her sharp reply, but he pressed on, "It's dangerous to hike alone. I could accompany you if you like. Are you a freshman? Not going home for the winter break?"

As Bud spoke, he deliberately showcased his watch, drawing attention to it. It was

an expensive brand, worth about tens of thousands of dollars, but it was fake.

Vivian had heard from her

roommates that some middle-aged men tried to lure younger women with money and that some girls in her school had fallen into such traps, entering shady exchanges.

She never imagined she would encounter such a situation herself.

Not in the mood today, Vivian's patience wore thin. "Leave me alone," she said curtly.

Bud chuckled. "Such a young woman and with such a temper? I'm only trying to be a kind elder and show concern for you. You haven't seen much of the world, have you?

"I'm also hiking alone today, and it's boring with no one to talk to. If you keep me company, I could offer you a reward. Do you recognize this watch? I can give it to you after the hike."

Bud placed the watch right in front of Vivian, hoping she would take a closer look at it.

He wanted her to scrutinize the watch more carefully. Many young women were easily deceived by luxury goods. He had pulled this trick on several other women before.

He hadn't expected to encounter a pretty young woman today while hiking, and he was eager to use his usual ploy once more.

To him, Vivian looked extremely young.