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Caleb’s surprise was evident as he exclaimed, “Hey, kiddo, you’re from Nord City? What’s your name?”
Ginger arrogantly turned her head. “I don’t feel like answering your question.”
Taking control of the conversation, Timothy intervened. “Her name is Ginger Lane.”
Caleb pondered her name for a moment, sensing a discrepancy but unable to identify it.
Ginger turned away from Caleb, displaying her evident disdain for him.
Timothy glanced at her. “You still haven’t answered my question.”
With a pout, Ginger replied, “Chesterfield.”
Caleb found himself momentarily lost in thought. The esteemed Lane family resided in Chesterfield, the capital of Nord City.
Adding to his intrigue, Ginger shared the Lane surname and bore a striking resemblance to Mia. Could all of this be mere coincidence?
Timothy swiftly turned to Heath, instructing him, “Arrange the closest available flight for her and send someone to escort her to the airport.”
Heath promptly complied. After ending the call, he informed Timothy, “Mr. Barrett, due to the storm today. Xanier Island Airport is closed, and all flights are suspended.”
“When do they expect flights to resume?” Timothy asked.
“It could be as late as tomorrow. We’ll need to assess the weather conditions then,” Heath responded. Timothy cast a helpless glance at Ginger. “It seems you won’t be able to return today.”
Ginger leaned in closer to him, her voice pleading. “Tim, could you please let me stay over tonight? I promise to behave!”
Turning to Caleb, Timothy quipped, “Did you hear that? She’ll be bunking with you tonight!”
“What?”
“I don’t want to!”
Caleb turned his gaze toward her. “Aren’t you here to find your dad? Why don’t you want to share a room with me? Do you dislike me or something?”
“Hmph, I just don’t want to bunk with a jerk like you.”
With that, Ginger arrogantly tossed her head, causing her braided pigtails to unravel, and her soft hair cascaded down over her shoulders.
Caleb was infuriated.
With pleading eyes, Ginger turned to Timothy. “Tim, could you please let me stay for one night?”
Timothy frowned. “I prefer not to share a bed with anyone.”
“I can sleep on the couch,” Ginger suggested.
Timothy’s brows furrowed tightly, but ultimately, he couldn’t resist her pleading expression.
Just then, Heath interjected, “Mr. Barrett, it’s time for your meeting with the lord of Xanier Island.”
Ginger lifted her head and spoke in a sweet tone, “Tim, you should focus on your work. Don’t worry about me. I’ll wait for you to come back!”
Caleb clicked his tongue in disapproval. “You really lack manners, addressing Tim so casually. Does that mean we’re now peers?”
With her arms crossed in front of her, Ginger raised her chin proudly and continued to ignore him.
After a brief acknowledgement. Timothy rose from his seat and left the room.
He turned to Heath and instructed, “Make sure the bodyguard stays with her at all times and arrange for some food to be sent over.”
Caleb trailed behind him and whispered, “Hey Tim, where did you find this kid?”
Timothy shot him a sharp look. “Isn’t she supposed to be your daughter?”
“Oh, come on, can’t you see who she resembles? There’s no way she’s mine. If anything, she should be yours. She’s the spitting image of Mia.”
The atmosphere turned noticeably colder at the mention of Mia.
Timothy’s expression darkened instantly, and he responded coldly, “If you don’t have anything useful to contribute, it’s better to remain silent.”
“Tim, I understand you’d rather not talk about Mia. But let’s face the facts. You brought her here because she bears a striking resemblance to Mia, didn’t you?”
Timothy immediately stepped forward, seizing Caleb’s collar. “What are you insinuating?”
“I mean, it’s quite the coincidence that she’s from the Chesterfield district of Nord City, and the Lane family happens to be located there. Plus, her last name is Lane. Don’t you find all these connections a bit too peculiar to be a coincidence?”
Timothy’s grip loosened suddenly. After a pause, he spoke in a subdued tone. “Are you saying that she might be Mia’s daughter? And that Mia didn’t actually die?”
“It’s a strong possibility. I mean, you never actually saw Mia’s body back then, and the Lane family hastily took it away. Doesn’t that strike you as suspicious? And let’s not forget, you’ve been searching for her all these years, haven’t you?”
“The only reason I’ve been searching for her is to uncover the truth of what happened back then!” Timothy’s eyes betrayed a hint of distress as he left, wearing a stern expression.
Caleb could only sigh, turning to Heath. “Don’t you think what I said makes sense?”
Heath nodded in agreement. “After so many years of disappointments, Mr. Barrett just couldn’t bring himself to believe anything anymore.”
Ateanwhite, in the luxurious suite, Ginger sat on the sofa. She discreetly pulled out her Apple watch and diated Sage’s number.
The call connected swiftly, and in a hushed tone, Sage spoke, “Hey, Ginger, when you arrive at the airport, just take a taxi to the amusement park.
“Aunt Eva said she’s meeting us for dinner, so I used our trip to the amusement park as an excuse to buy us an extra hour.”
Ginger couldn’t help but gasp, her voice tinged with anxiety as she exclaimed, “But… but the airport is closed, I can’t come back now.”
“What should we do then?”
“Sage, oh no! Il Mommy finds out I’ve sneaked away, I’m in big trouble.”
On the other end, Sage couldn’t help but furrow his brow. “Aunt Eva is coming: I can’t cover for you night.”
“Sage, you have to help me.”
“Whose idea was it for you to go to Xanier Island alone? Did you meet that man?”
all
Ginger pouted and responded sadly. “Yes, I did. But he doesn’t remember Mommy, and he doesn’t want to acknowledge me.”
“Did you teach that jerka lesson?”
Ginger nodded vigorously. “Uh¨Chuh, I used up all the hidden weapons in my backpack.”
“So, what are you going to do now? Where are you staying?”
“That nice uncle said he could take me in for the night. He seems to know the jerk, but he’s not like him at all.”
Ginger had a daring idea; if only she could persuade Timothy to speak with Daddy.
“Ginger, don’t escalate things. I can’t fix this mess for you this time. You’ll have to explain it to Mommy by yourself.”
“But, Sage Ginger murmured as she gazed at the now disconnected phone.
Beside it lay her watch, a silent reminder that there was no turning back this time.
Perhaps it would be better to have Mommy come and pick her up.
That way, she could also arrange for Mommy to meet Timothyl
Timothy confronted Tanner Kimmel, the lord of Xanier Island, with a direct request. “Sell me the reishi mushroom.”
Tanner cleared his throat before responding. “Mr. Barrett, you’ll have to wait until the auction to make a purchase.”
Timothy narrowed his eyes slightly and inquired, “What are the terms?”
“Mr. Barrett, this isn’t a matter of conditions.” Tanner replied.
Caleb interjected, “There’s nothing in this world that can’t be bought; it’s just a matter of whether one can meet that price. Xanier Island has always been open to business opportunities. Are you really going to pass up this opportunity?”
Tanner hesitated before responding. “The main issue is that the reishi mushroom isn’t a product of Xanier Island; so it’s being privately auctioned. That’s why it’s not listed in any auction catalogs.”
Timothy intervened. “Provide me with the contact details.”
“Mr. Barrett, it’s important for you to understand our policy here at Xanier Island. We are unable to disclose client information,” Tanner replied.
Timothy fixed his gaze on Tanner. “How do you plan to explain to me the fact that your sister tried to abduct a little girl today?”
Tanner immediately grew uneasy. “Mr. Barrett, this is all a misunderstanding. We would never abduct a little girl, especially not your child.”
“She’s not my daughter. To be exact, she belongs to Caleb,” Timothy clarified. “Your hotel needs to offer us an explanation for this incident.” Though he remained composed, his tone carried an undertone of urgency.
Caleb’s surprise was evident as he responded, “Someone from the hotel kidnapped Ginger? Tim, are you serious?”
“I wouldn’t joke about something like this.” Timothy asserted.
