Chapter 27
Yasmine left after we had dinner yesterday” Freya’s hand slapped her thigh, her tone laced with a hint of distress. “She’s missing? Nah, shes pulled this before. Maybe she’s just off foraging for mushrooms in the hills. No need to hit the panic button
Alaric, not one for small talk, just gave a quick nod and dropped a bombshell. “She’s spinning us a yarn.”
The crew’s half–baked idea to head up the mountain got cut off at the knees. Alaric’s assertion that Freya was lying left them stunned Eyes wide with disbelief, they questioned. “How can you be so sure. Mr. Kendrick?”
Freya a TV drama buff, knew standard Clusian and got what was going down. She jabbed a finger at Alaric, her voice rising. “You’re spouting nonsense! You’re slandering me!”
But two burly bodyguards stepped in, blocking her path, and it dawned on Freya that the young man before her was no mere visitor.
She retreated a step. her voice trembling “Go ahead and look around if you don’t buy it. Like I could keep Yasmine under wraps. She’s always off on her own. Who’s to say some wild animal didn’t snatch her up.
The staff was appalled, and the live chat was ablaze with anger.
[Damn, is she really Yasmine’s relative!]
[What you wishing Yasmine’s dead?]
[These folks are something else. Im furning.]
All eyes were now on Yasmine. People in this impoverished place didn’t understand wealth or status, but they knew fear when they saw the leader or local police.
The wail of sirens broke the tension, and the police car, though not as sleek as a Maybach, carried authority. Freya’s knees buckled as uniformed officers stepped out. She stammered, “Why involve the police over something so trivial!” Little did she know, this was just the beginning.
With the local police’s assistance, they searched Freya’s home but found no sign of Yasmine.
One of the staff asked, “Could this be a misunderstanding? Did Yasmine disappear after she left?”
Alaric, his gaze piercing, pointed at Freya. “Her children live in town, right?”
“Yes.” The local guide nodded in confirmation.
Yesterday, she made coffee for three, using a high–end brand. The cups are still in the sink. She had important guests. Alaric deduced, his words sparking a flurry of astonished reactions among the viewers and earning him looks of respect.
“Dude, you’d make a great detective!” one police officer remarked.
Alaric’s insight led to Freya being taken in for questioning, her protests falling on deaf ears.
Freya’s voice cracked as she desperately gripped the car door. “I’m not going anywhere! I’m not! You’ve got the wrong person. Her tears flowed freely, a far cry from the bravado shed shown the day before.
In the meantime, Xavier was making his way to Lexcrity, riding in an official vehicle with an entourage that commanded attention.
Beude Xavier, a man with a stern expression spoke out, his voice laced with anger. “The child trafficking cases keep piling up–n’s just
outrageous
From the passenger seat, another man, his brow furrowed with concern, chimed in “Especially in areas that are struggling, kids are being taken and sold to wealthier regions. The backlog of these unresolved cases is just heartbreaking”
Xavier’s stomach was in knots. The idea of Yasmine vanishing into the unknown after just a day was tearing him up.
Determined to turn this worn–out town around, he envisioned better roads, more security cameras, and most importantly, jobs. He figured that was the real ticket to cut down on crime. His mind raced with these thoughts, a fiery energy simmering in his chest, eager to break free
Chapter 2
A line of vehicles rolled into the small town, causing a stir among the locals. They gossiped about the reason for the commotion, trying to catch a glimpse of the passengers inside.
“Heard they’re after some human traffickers, someone muttered.
“About time,” another agreed
Devin overheard these conversations, but they didn’t faze him. His mind was on his wife’s call about Yasmine being sick, with a high fever, vomiting badly, and turning blue–she needed to get to the hospital
Remembering Barnaby’s words, Devin got the feeling this could be a ruse. Yasmine was sharp and tough, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she’d use the hospital visit as an escape opportunity. But the thought of her not pulling through because of the fever really grated on him.
With a stern look on his face, Devin quickened his pace, but he was stopped by a middle–aged man he recognized from the night before
the one who had offered him a cigarette.
“Hello there. Im Evan Luther, Evan introduced himself.
“Move it.” Devin snapped, not in the mood for small talk.
Evan wa
was taken aback by the abrupt response. “Who are you to that little girl?” he persisted, grabbing Devin’s arm.
Devin’s pulse quickened, and he swiftly masked his true feelings. Tm her uncle,” he stated, his tone ever
“Oh, I was hoping you could introduce me to Alaric, Evan said, his grip on Devin’s arm tightening.
c?” Devin echoed, his brow knitting in a puzzled frown. He had no clue who Evan was going on about.
“Alaric?”
Evan realized his mistake–Devin had no clue who Alaric was. So he changed tactics. “Can I meet your niece?”
“You’re out of your mind! What do you want with her? Are you a human trafficker?” Devin cursed, then hurried home.
Yasmine was indeed ill. Her lips were pale, and she was barely able to whisper, “Mom… Mom”
“Did she take the fever meds?” Devin asked, his face etched with irritation.
“Yes, but she threw it right back up,” Karen replied.
Devin swore under his breath, then picked Yasmine up. “We need to get her to the hospital, pronto,” he said.
Yasmine’s voice was alreally hoarse. She struggled to keep her eyes open, her face flushed with fever, but even in this state, her features were still delicate and beautiful. Illness seemed to make her even more pitiable.
Devin glanced down at her, thinking she was worth the investment. Unbeknownst to him, Evan was hiding nearby, watching as they got
into the car.
Is the little girl sick or hurt? Wait, they can’t be human traffickers, can they?” Evan’s expression shifted, and a thought struck him–if he could pull off this bust, maybe he could get Alaric to throw some cash his way. Nodding to himself, Evan tailed them without a second thought.
In their haste, Yasmine’s head bumped into the car doorframe. It swelled up and turned an ugly shade of purple, making her look even more miserable. Her lips kept moving, and this time she was murmuring a different name. “Xavier Xavier…
Yan
