05- Take her to the police

Audrey pov

When I opened the door and saw Michell Garcia standing there, I froze. My brain refused to register what my eyes were seeing. Was I dreaming?

The infamous Michell Garcia.

Before I could speak, Amelia darted past me, her voice bursting with excitement. “Daddy!” she cried out, throwing herself into his arms.

Daddy?

Michell’s expression softened for a split second as he caught her. Then his gaze shifted to me, hardening.

“Care to explain what’s going on here?” His voice was damn smooth yet made my heart race.

Michell’s eyes didn’t leave mine. His jaw tightened as if he expected me to speak. Before I could speak, his assistant, standing just behind him, chimed in.

“Sir, we can’t rule out the possibility that she must have abducted Little Miss. But she's not smart enough,” the assistant said.

My mouth fell open. “Are you serious? I saved her from being kidnapped.”

Michell raised a hand, silencing us both. “Take her to the police,” he said curtly to his bodyguard.

“What?!” My voice cracked as the bodyguard grabbed my arm. “I didn’t do anything wrong! I saved her!”

“Daddy, no!” Amelia said, clinging to him. “She’s nice! She saved me from the bad guy.”

“Amelia, enough,” he said firmly. “Thank God I had a tracker placed on your dress, you left the eyes of your nanny and wandered off.”

Amelia's eyes were downcast. “I just needed some fresh air.”

“You shouldn't have left. And she(the nanny) was careless to let you wander off, she has been sacked.”

His assistant’s phone buzzed, and he stepped aside to answer it. I stood there, struggling against the bodyguard, while Michell’s cold gaze pinned me in place.

After a moment, the assistant returned, looking slightly uncomfortable. “Sir, the police just confirmed her story. There was an incident reported near the park—attempted abduction. Witnesses say she intervened.”

Michell exhaled sharply. Finally, he nodded. “Let her go,” he said.

The bodyguard released me, and I stumbled back, rubbing my arm. “Thank you,” I muttered, even though I was more frustrated than grateful.

Michell turned to Amelia. “We’re leaving,” he said firmly.

But Amelia pouted. “No! I want to finish the lunch she made me!”

“Amelia,” he said, his tone warning, “we’re not staying here.”

“Please, Daddy?” she begged, her big eyes wide with innocence.

Michell let out a long-suffering sigh, clearly not used to hearing no. He looked at me briefly. “Fine. But make it quick.”

I stepped aside as they entered, feeling completely out of place in my own borrowed home.

Michell looked around, his sharp eyes taking in the small, cluttered apartment.

“This is where you live?” he asked, his tone dripping with disdain.

I’m staying with a friend,” I said tightly, trying not to let his comment get under my skin.

“Daddy, taste it, it is more tasty than what the chefs makes.” Amelia said. I had never felt so happy in a while.

Harold never commended my cooking, hearing it from a little girl made me extremely happy

“No, thanks.” he dismissed the offer while looking at the apartment with disdainful eyes, making me feel self conscious.

“Please, take a seat.” I offered, wiping the couch with my napkin.

He didn’t respond, instead turning back to me with that same cold gaze. “What do you want?”

“Excuse me?” I blinked, thrown off by the abrupt question.

“In return for saving my daughter,” he clarified. “What do you want?”

I opened my mouth to say nothing, but the words caught in my throat. This was my chance—maybe my only chance—to get the help I needed.

“I… I need medical treatment,” I said finally.

His eyebrows lifted slightly, more in curiosity than concern. “What kind of treatment?”

“Your personal doctor," I said, swallowing hard. “I heard he’s the best. I need him to look at my leg. I’ll pay for everything, I just…” I hesitated. “I just need a chance.”

Michell’s lips twitched, almost like he wanted to laugh. “You’re asking me to bring in my doctor for this?” staring at my leg.

I nodded, my throat dry. “Yes.”

He studied me for what felt like an eternity, I would have begged to know what was going on in his mind.

Finally, he sighed. “Fine. But we’re not dragging my doctor here. You’ll come to my villa, and he’ll examine you there.”

“Really?”The word came out before I could stop.

“Don’t thank me,” he said, already turning toward the door. “I'm repaying the favor of saving my daughter.”

“Find that bas…” he glanced at Amelia before lowering his voice to his bodyguards. “Find him from wherever hole he had run to, he's gonna pay.”

***

The ride to Michell’s villa was surreal. Amelia chatted happily in the back seat. Michell sat beside her, his expression unreadable, while his assistant typed furiously on his phone.

When we arrived, I couldn’t help but gape. The villa was massive, with towering gates, sprawling gardens, and a driveway that seemed to stretch for miles.

Inside, the marble floors gleamed, and chandeliers hung like something out of a fairytale.

I felt painfully out of place as Michell called for his doctor. The man arrived quickly—a middle-aged professional with a calm demeanor that eased some of my nerves.

He examined my leg carefully, asking questions and taking notes. I answered as best as I could, though the whole time I felt Michell’s eyes on me, sharp and assessing.

Finally, the doctor sat back, his expression thoughtful.

“There’s a chance,” he said. “But it won’t be easy.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“The surgery is complicated,” he explained. “And the recovery will be long. Even with the best care, there’s no guarantee of success.”

“What about the cost?” Michell asked with a businesslike tone.

The doctor hesitated before answering. “Including post-treatment expenses, it could easily reach tens of millions.”

My stomach sank. Tens of millions? The words felt like a cruel joke. Even if I managed to get back every penny Harold owed me, it wouldn’t come close to covering that kind of money.