Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Observing the Apple watch being charged, Luna inquired, “Does your watch have your mommy’s contact information?”
Ginger instinctively tightened her grip on the watch, looking at her warily.
Nonetheless, Luna immediately saw through her hesitation and reached out to take the Apple watch. “Let me contact your mother to come pick you up.”
And perhaps, in the process, uncover the true identity of Ginger’s mother!
“No, give me back my Apple watch, you mean lady!”
As Luna took hold of the Apple watch, Ginger tried to snatch it back. In the struggle, the watch slipped from their hands and fell directly into a cup on the coffee table..
Luna frowned in response. “This isn’t my fault. You were the one trying to grab it, which caused it to fall into the water.”
“Mean lady!” Tears filled Ginger’s eyes as she tried to retrieve the Apple watch from the cup. However, the screen was now completely black and wouldn’t turn on.
Luna immediately shifted the blame. “Aren’t Apple watches usually waterproof? Why would yours be so fragile?”
Ginger swiftly turned and retrieved something from her small backpack, then sprayed it toward Luna’s eyes.
Almost immediately, Luna’s eyes began to tear up, and she struggled to keep them open.
Ginger brandished her weapon and began firing at Luna, causing sharp pains throughout her body. In her frantic attempts to evade the shots, Luna unintentionally stepped on a mousetrap.
Luna let out a scream as she collapsed to the ground. She urgently called for Joe, who was standing nearby, “Quick, come over here and restrain Ginger! Did you see what she just did?”
Joe hesitated momentarily. After all, his instructions were solely to protect Ginger.
Eventually, Ginger lowered her weapon and wiped away her tears with her chubby hand.
With a charming demeanor, Ginger approached Joe and spoke in a sweet voice, “Mr. Joe, I need to find
Tim.”
“Um, Mr. Barrett is currently occupied, so you won’t be able to see him. Would you like me to contact him for you?”
I
Ginger retrieved her Apple watch. “I need to have it repaired, or I won’t be able to contact my mommy.”
Seeing Ginger’s tears, Joe eventually relented. “Alright, I’ll bring you out to see if we can find a place to fix it.”
With that, they exited the suite together.
Luna was left alone as she lay on the ground, disheveled and fuming with anger. Could Ginger be a devil
In d?quise?
Throughout the entire night, Mia anxiously waited, her eyes barely able to close.
Every 30 minutes, she attempted to call Ginger, but her phone remained off, leaving Mia unable to reach her.
With dark circles under her eyes, Mia turned to Wade. “Any updates?”
“Ms. Mia, the surveillance footage from Xanier Island Grand Hotel for yesterday has been erased. They claimed it was an accident and wasn’t backed up, but it seems highly suspicious.
“Since Ms. Ginger arrived at the hotel yesterday, having that footage could assist us in tracking her movements.”
Mia rubbed her temples before closing her laptop. Despite her efforts to restore yesterday’s surveillance footage, the individuals on Xanier Island appeared to have taken precautions, hindering her attempts.
Besides, Ginger was only four years old. If she did manage to reach the hotel, where could she have possibly wandered off to?
Suppressing her frustration, Mia instructed, “Search the hotel thoroughly, room by room. I refuse to believe we can’t locate one child.
“Also, send someone to probe the black market on Xanier Island to investigate any potential human trafficking activities.”
Certainly, Xanier Island was a realm where anything could happen, bustling with a myriad of individuals.
Wade interjected with an update, “Our sources uncovered the reason behind the surveillance deletion. It appears that Mr. Kimmel’s sister, Lena, has taken an interest in a new man.
“However, when the man’s illegitimate daughter arrived, Lena had the child taken away. To cover their tracks, they wiped the surveillance footage.”
An illegitimate daughter seeking her father?
Mia’s unease deepened as she recalled something. “Is that man named Caleb?”
Wade was taken aback. “Ms. Mia, how do you know about Caleb?”
Could it be that Mia’s memory had returned?
“Answer my question first. Is the man named Caleb?”
“Yes.”
Mia paused briefly before continuing. “It all adds up. Dominic and the others have always kept me away from Bern City and withheld details about Ginger’s biological father.
“I happened to overhear Claude mentioning Caleb, so it’s very likely that Caleb is Ginger’s father.”
Wade was stunned. “Ms. Mia, are you sure you’re not mistaken?”
“I heard it crystal clear¨Chis name was Caleb. I didn’t anticipate Ginger remembering his name as well.
She must have come to Xanier Island to find Caleb. Damn it! Is Caleb also here on Xanier Island?”
Mia’s gaze narrowed, a chill emanating from her eyes. “Take me to find Caleb and that bitch!”
“They’re both at the casino on the basement floor!”
Mia sneered, “Well, it seems they’re both asking for trouble!”
With a cold expression, Mia left the room, an aura of menace surrounding her. Upon reaching the basement floor, she swiftly began scouring the area for her targets, her demeanor resolute.
She wore a purple camisole, paired with a matching loose coat casually draped over her shoulders and the sash loosely tied around her waist. The ensemble accentuated her slender figure while maintaining a sense of modesty.
As soon as she arrived, a man was instantly captivated and approached her. “Miss, are you here by yourself?”
Ignoring his advances, Mia continued walking. Her gaze fell upon Lena, who was working as a glamorous dealer, flirting with two men nearby.
One of the men seemed familiar. Wasn’t he the same person who tried to strike up a conversation with her in the lobby yesterday?
What a coincidence.
With a graceful stride in her high heels, Mia approached them, the sound of her footsteps echoing through the casino.
As Mia strolled past, she drew the attention of nearly everyone around.
Timothy lifted his gaze, and upon spotting the approaching woman, his pupils contracted sharply.
She had a slender waist and long legs, her outer robe draped loosely, exposing graceful collarbones beneath the straps.
Despite her revealing attire, she exuded an aura of elegance and sophistication, devoid of any vulgarity or tackiness.
Timothy couldn’t help but fix his gaze on the woman as she drew nearer. Initially, he had tasked someone with investigating her background, but they uncovered nothing.
Beside him, Caleb also noticed the woman’s entrance. Although she bore a striking resemblance to Mia, their styles were starkly different.
The Mia he knew typically had a more conservative demeanor.
In contrast, the woman before him, with her flowing locks and daring slip dress, exuded a boldness infused with a wild allure.
Caleb whispered. “Tim, I bet she’s here for you.”
Timothy watched as the woman drew nearer, downing the whiskey in his glass in a single gulp.
His gaze darkened as he observed her, feeling irritated by the lingering stares from other men nearby who were drawn to her sexy attire.
Mia paused, quietly looking at Timothy before her, a subtle curl forming on her lips. who called me last night?”
Observing her smug grin, Timothy’s throat tightened slightly. “Why don’t you take a guess?”
It seemed like this man was quite the charmer.
you the one
Nonetheless, Mia remained unfazed. Her hand delicately grazed Timothy’s face, tracing down to his chin. Timothy reclined in his chair nonchalantly, allowing her to playfully engage with him without protest.
Several men nearby gasped, with Caleb’s voice ringing out the loudest.
Caleb was utterly astonished. “Wow! Tim is openly being flirted with, and he’s not resisting. Rather, he seems to be enjoying it! Who would have thought?” he pondered silently.
Mia gently lifted Timothy’s chin. “Are you Caleb?” she inquired.
“No.” Timothy responded, narrowing his eyes in confusion at her unexpected question.
It appeared that Mia wasn’t here for him after all.