Chapter 25
Xavier was a caged tiger in that hospital room, his mind whirling with thoughts of Yasmine back in Lexcrity. “Should’ve told her to pack some clothes and blankets, he grumbled, then let it slide. T’ll take them to her when I get back
Out of Yasmine’s company, Xavier felt increasingly antsy, with a nagging suspicion that Alaric might be trying to charm her. To distract himself, he scrolled through his phone, but the games just weren’t cutting it. So, he made a call. “Caleb, could you get me the local investment office’s number?”
[Xavier is about to drop some cash?]
[Money talks, investments as easy as pie. Fm jealous.]
[Wish they’d come to my town so it could use the boost.)
As the chat filled with wild guesses, the screen suddenly faded to black. Xavier had ditched the camera and mic for some privacy.
Before long, his hospital room was packed with people, all surprised to see Xavier calling the shots from his sickbed, a far cry from the usual dinner meetings
Make yourselves at home, Xavier said, his usual arrogance replaced with a more approachable tone.
“So, is this what Mr. Johnny Sanchez’s after?” one of them ventured.
Xavier shook his head. “My dad doesn’t see the value in projects like this. You’re wasting your time trying to impress him.”
The folks across from Xavier shifted in their seats, anticipation hanging heavy. Then Xavier laid his cards on the table. “But I’m in. I’m backing you
Before anyone could get a word out. Xavier continued, Tm talking two million–right from the budget for my next sports car.
The group’s excitement was palpable, and one of them prodded his assistant. “Quick, pass this to-”
As a proposal was quickly shoved his way, Xavier raised a hand. Tm not looking at that just yet. There’s someone in Stone Town I need to discuss. Cliff Leach, Lexcrity’s leader’s son. You know I’ve been filming there, right?”
They nodded, and one of them asked, “Has he offended you?”
Xavier queued up a recording of Andrew’s chat with Cliff. Check this out. That guy’s got guts, trying to play me
Once they’d heard it, the group filed out, already talking about how Cliff reputation could tarnish their own. “Cliff’s got a bad rap. It’s messing with our image. People might start saying we’re a place that breeds scammers. How are we gonna get any investors then?” one of them commented.
“We can’t have someone like him around,” another one echoed.
Back in his room, Xavier reinstalled the camera, but he had bigger plans for that recording than just posting it online.
Later, Johnny stopped by, noting Xavier’s upbeat mood. “Feeling better?”
Xavier nodded, already picturing Yasmine’s thanks, maybe even a few tears. He was looking forward to it.
As evening closed in, Alaric left the room, his face set in a frown. “Yasmine’s not back yet,” he told the production team.
They agreed it was getting late and tried to call Yasmine’s grandaunt, but Barnaby claimed he didn’t have the number.
The production team’s faces clouded over. “Barnaby claims he has no idea what her grandaunt’s number is,” they told Alaric
Alaric & brow furrowed as he found something was off. “Howd he know her grandaunt wanted her over!”
The team realized the gap and went to ask Barnaby again.
[Alaric’s got his head in the game‘]
Man, the crew shouldn’t have let Yasmine go by herself. A kid her age! That’s a recipe for trouble.]
TODDAM ·
Chapter 24
Yasmine knows these roads like the back of her hand. It’s just a quick hop to her grandaunt’s. What’s the big deal?]
They came back with the story the message had come through a call to the store, and then the owner passed it on to Barnaby
“Let’s hit the store, Alaric said, taking the lead.
At the store, the old landline sat by the owner, who was casually sipping on a cup of coffee. “Why would I keep a number? They’re not my kin,” he said with a shrug
is cup like a nervous kid
Alaric’s glare could ve frozen water. The owner, old enough to be his dad, fumbled and almost dropped his
The crew, catching the vibe, jumped into action. “We’re gonna knock on every door, find out who knows where Yasmine’s grandaunt’s place is or if anyone’s got her number, they said, their steps quick and determined.
Alaric chimed in, “Money’s on the table for the right lead. That caused the owner to wince, cursing himself for not keeping that number handy.
Lexcrity was buzzing like the night Andrew lit up the sky when Jessica left to participate in the show. But as the night wore on, Lexcrity’s patchy electricity gave out, leaving just a handful of houses glowing in the dark.
Danny suggested, “Maybe we should call it a night and pick up the search in the morning? It’s not safe to be out on these dirt roads in the dark
Alaric’s “Hmm” hung in the air, amplifying the suspense.
A few doubters in the chat were already snarking. [This has to be a staged scene, Probably trying to give Yasmine a makeover.]
Andrew felt a pang of guilt when he heard the crew was on a wild goose chase. “What’s the big deal?” he grumbled, confused why the city folks were so stressed about a kid staying at a relative’s for one night. It seemed like no big deal to him.
He tried to shake it off, telling himself in his mind, It’s all good. Yasmine’s grandpa handled it. It’s his call, not some outsiders.
Meanwhile, Yasmine had been taken to the town by her uncle, Devin, who was clearly proud as he showed her the upscale residential complex they were entering.
“Forget about it. No one’s coming to find you,” Devin said with a smirk. “Never seen a place this sweet, have you? You’re gonna live with me now. This is the kind of luck most folks never have,” he bragged.
was rough as she shot back, “I don’t need your luck.”
Yasmine’s voice was rou
on’t wanna
Devin’s smile flickered, but he quickly got his game face on. “You just don’t get it yet. Once you’ve lived the good life, you won’t go back,” he said, smooth as.
As they strolled along, a guy with a briefcase, looking like he’d lost his best friend, approached. He noticed Yasmine, standing out in the crowd like a beacon.
His eyes sparkled with recognition–she was the girl from the fancy Maybach, selling mushrooms. He was Evan, the one who’d bought all those expensive mushrooms, wishing he could’ve struck up a conversation with Alaric but never got the chance. Now, it seemed, the universe was giving him another shot
“Hey, buddy!” Evan called out, offering Devin a cigarette, but Devin, keen to avoid any drama, pretended not to see him and kept moving
Yasmine, though, remembered the guy and opened her mouth to shout, “Sir, help
Devin realizing she knew the man, quickly covered her mouth and whispered a threat, “One wrong word, and I’ll spank you. He hustled Yasmine away, leaving Evan’s cigarette hand frozen in mid–air-
Devin’s wife, Karen, explained with a smile. The kid’s beat from the trip. We shouldn’t mess with her sleep, it’s hard enough to get her settled” She hurried after them, with a teenage boy, about fourteen or fifteen, limping along silently by her side.
Evan watched them go, a nagging feeling tugging at him. With his own money troubles closing in, he decided to follow them discreetly. figuring bed drop by with a few gifts the next day.
Devins grip had left a mark on Yasmine’s mouth. He shook his head at her, his voice low and stern. “You’re acting out, and I can’t let that slide” To Karen, he said, “Lock her in the spare room, no bilanket, no water.”
