Drake's heart trembled, and he swiftly concealed himself out of sight. Camping out lately hadn't even allowed him a clear glimpse of Persephone.Meanwhile, Bianca's relentless phone calls persisted."Dickinson, what are you up to all day? I asked you to take a child, not divine apples. Is it really that challenging?"'Damn it!' Drake cursed silently. 'Stealing those apples might indeed be easier!'Despite his inner frustrations, he forced a smile. "Heh... Ms. Bianca, t-this isn't a cakewalk! I've been keeping a close watch these days. Those bodyguards are all armed. I'll get shot at if I rashly try to snatch the kid!""You're worthless." Bianca scoffed. "I've greased palms on my end, and you're letting me down!"Drake suppressed his anger and remained silent."Listen up!" Bianca pressed on. "If you can't get this done, forget about your presidential suite and a single cent! Go back to your village and embrace poverty!"Drake's heart sank at the prospect. Going from luxury to po
"Mom, are we eating here again today?""Yes, don't you love the braised bass here?"Nala frowned and pouted. She held back her desire to say, "But I want to eat at home."Despite her young age, she could sense that her mother had been in a bad mood for the past few days. Even her response just now seemed indifferent.Nala couldn't grasp the complexities of the adult world. She didn't understand why things could go from sunny to stormy instantly. All she knew was that whenever someone sent her mother pictures of her dad with other women, Kasey would react this way."Mom..."Nala tugged at Kasey's hand, but the latter suddenly let go and stared tensely at something, hurrying away.Nala was startled, and her doll slipped from her grasp."Mom—""Nala, stay right here and don't move!" Kasey shouted anxiously as she rushed ahead. "Mom will be back in a moment!"Helplessly, Nala stood there, watching her mother's figure gradually disappear.This had happened before. Whenever Kasey
Nala's eyes widened with surprise as she gazed at him."I have something really tasty with me. Are you feeling hungry?" Drake asked.Nala firmly shook her head and started to retreat, but Drake swiftly blocked her path."Hey, don't go. Stay right there!" He held onto her with a tight grip. "Um... Your mom actually sent me to find you!"Nala hesitated for a moment upon hearing it was her mother. "Is it really her?"Drake continued, weaving his tale. "Didn't she just dash off suddenly? She told you to wait here, didn't she?""Yes...""That's correct!" Drake beamed. "Little one, if you leave like this, what if your mom can't find you?""She knows where to find me. I'll just play here for a bit and then head back to the lobby!""Oh..." Drake glanced around. "I know that lobby. I'll take you there!"Nala became wary and cautiously freed herself, stepping back a couple of paces."I'm truly a friend of your mother's. If you don't go back, she'll be anxious when she can't locate you
"Must you interfere in my affairs, you stinky brat?" Drake grumbled, annoyed.Alexander was his son, and he didn't plan to keep secrets from him. In his eyes, they shared the same blood. No matter how much he scolded or disciplined him, he couldn't abandon his own flesh and blood.He opened a drawer and found a pair of scissors, cutting off Nala's braids, which fell to the floor.Alexander was shocked. He wanted to stop his father, but he knew he couldn't match Drake's strength, so he bit his lip and approached him. "Dad, are you really going to sell this girl?""It's not my choice. It's what Bianca wants," Drake said with a frown, instructing Alexander to fetch some of his old clothes from the wardrobe.Alexander brought the clothes and watched as Drake's dirty hands tore at Nala's small dress. He exclaimed, "What are you doing?""You little troublemaker!" Drake glared at him. "Lower your voice. Do you want to expose us?""Dad, you—""I need to change this girl's clothes! Her
Bianca halted, fixated on Chris. He appeared uneasy, isolated in a corner, engrossed in his phone, and occasionally relocating to make calls elsewhere.She quietly trailed him, faintly catching his hushed and anxious words."Have you found her?""Tell them not to worry... If the kidnappers are after money, they'll definitely call!"Her heart raced. 'Kidnappers? Who are they searching for? Is that Lena on the other end?'Suddenly, Toph called out, "Chris, what are you doing?"Bianca concealed herself as Toph dashed over in his usual carefree manner to usher Chris away."My brother couldn't find you anywhere. Why did you come here? Come eat!"As they proceeded, Chris and Toph coincidentally passed by Bianca. Their eyes locked, causing both of them to freeze.Bianca swiftly evaded his gaze and forced a greeting, "Chris...""Eh, Bianca?" Toph inquired, much like Arya, "What are you doing here? My brother didn't invite you, did he?""You..."Bianca's frustration grew, but Toph a
The unexpected question stunned Alexander. Nala gazed at him with sorrowful, big eyes. In one moment, he was the reliable 'big brother'—in the next, he couldn't even provide a meal.Alexander winced and tried to change the subject to divert her attention. "Are you really hungry?""Yes!" Nala's tears teetered on the edge. She pouted and whimpered, "I was supposed to eat at the hotel with my mom... She even said we'd order braised bass...""Don't cry, don't cry! It's just a fish...""But I'm hungry!"Alexander felt uneasy. Engaging her in conversation was proving difficult.Finally, he managed to calm Nala. He had an idea and extended his arm to her, sleeves rolled up. "If you're truly starving, you can bite me first!"Nala stared at him in disbelief."I come from a poor family, and we didn't always have food. When I was really hungry as a kid, I'd munch on... things that could keep hunger at bay."Nala looked puzzled.Alexander smiled and explained, "For example, when there wa
"Nothing!" He smiled reassuringly at Nala, determined to take her away from this place.A loud bang came from the factory door, followed by the distinct sound of high heels clicking on the ground.Alexander swiftly signaled Nala, who promptly pretended to be unconscious on the floor. He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes."Is this the child?" Bianca's tone was commanding.Standing behind her, Brake grunted, "Yes."Bianca took a few steps closer, carefully inspecting the child in the dim light. Suddenly, her expression shifted."Is this... the young heiress of the Chriss family?"Drake was dumbfounded. When he had abducted the child, he did not know her family's identity.Bianca sneered. "Dickinson, I instructed you to fetch the Hamerton child, not the Chriss one! And you claim you didn't deceive me?""Well..." Drake scratched his head. "Ms. Bianca, your goal is to pin in on Lena, right? It doesn't matter who we kidnap! As long as we have the child, she's implicated in
Lena gazed at him, her lips moving as a complex expression crossed her face.Suddenly, Chris' phone rang. It was Fleur calling, sounding anxious as she urged him to return immediately.Chris had no choice but to follow his mother's instructions and bring Lena back to the Hamertons.They found Zuko and Lina already present inside the spacious living room, all wearing serious expressions.When Lena entered, Fleur appeared to have something important to say, her gaze fixed on Lena.Lina locked eyes with Lena and smiled determinedly, leaving Lena slightly puzzled.Bianca calmly entered the room, catching Lena's attention."Aunt Fleur, Chris, I've located Nala! I know where she is!" Bianca announced eagerly.Chris paused, surprised. "How did you find out? What's the source of this information?"Bianca smiled confidently. "Don't think you're the only one with connections just because you were in the special forces. The Hamertons aren't all-powerful, and there are things you can't un