Chapter 5
Luke stared at the computer, where the trace had disappeared, feeling totally defeated. “Mr. Lewis, I’ve done my best. It’s an international number, leaving no info to track, and now it’s unreachable
“Our team is almost there. Once they arrive, we’ll search everywhere until we find her, Luke said.
He tried to keep his its up, though he felt more like he was reassuring himself. With so many people coming and gring finding one person would be tough..
“Let’s head back, Samuel said flatly,
Luke nodded, “Okay, and I’ll take you home to rest first.”
As Luke turned the car around, he spotted Jesse munching food at a street stall, his face all greasy. Luke blinked and squinted before finally saying, “Mr. Lewis, doesn’t that look like jesse?”
Samuel, who had been resting in the back seat, opened his eyes and looked out the window. When he saw the little figure, his expression turned serious.
“It really is Jesse. Why’s he eating out here? Where’s Willie? And who’s that girl with hirn?” Luke watched, feeling confused. Samuel was about to get out of the car but hesitated when he saw Jesse eagerly nodding to Lillian and toasting his milk with hers.
As the skewers were served, Lillian handed Jesse a hot dog on a stick. “Be careful, it’s hot.
Jesse tasted everything with wide eyes, quietly hissing as it was too spicy. His little face turned red, and he chased each bite with gulps of milk.
Lillian couldn’t help but laugh. “Did you not eat dinner?”
Jesse nodded.
“Are you eating or not?” Lillian teased.
Jesse nodded again.
Lillian paused and couldn’t help but ask, “Are you just quiet, or is it late development?”
At two years old, Jesse could send text messages and was sharper than other kids his age, but she had never heard him say anything beyond “hmm.”
Jesse held a spoon, looking deep in thought. His eyes were watering from the spice as he gazed at Lillian. After a moment, he mumbled something but still didn’t speak.
Just then, Lillian’s phone rang again. She glanced at the caller ID hesitating for a moment before answering,
Henry’s tired but gentle voice came through the line. “Are you staying in Jerisburg?”
“Yeah,” Lillian replied.
Henry chuckled, sounding relieved. “That’s good?
Mesville was pretty remote, and Lillian’s village was even harder to reach. With her health being so unpredictable, Henry had been really worried while she was staying there.
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Chapter 5
Henry thought for a tomer and tried to persuade her again. Are you really sure you don’t want to stay in the hospital?
“I know my condition well, and I’ll be careful. Don’t worry. Yale keeping an eye on me online.” Lillian had just gotten out of the hospital half a month ago and didn’t want to return so soon.
“Alright.” Knowing how stubborn she could be, Henry promised Just wait for me. I’ll make sure the surgery goes smoothly.”
Noticing the weariness in his voice, Lillian wanted to say something. But since she wasn’t great with words, she simply replied. “Okay.” She knew even if she did speak, Henry wouldn’t really listen right now.
Luke held his phone and said to Samuel. “Mr. Lewis, I just checked with Willie. Turns out Jesse met the girl at a toy store about two weeks ago.
“He asked for her contact info himself and invited her out today But Willie hasn’t looked into her background yet because he didn’t think there’d be any follow–up. I’ll get someone on it right away.”
Then he turned back to the phone while glancing over at the street food stalls. ‘Met by chance? No way. Who would come out at night to hang out with a quiet two–year–old? Especially a girl that cute!
Over the years, countless women had tried to get closer to Samuel using all sorts of tricks, and using Jesse to make that connection wasn’t a new idea.
“But taking Jesse to a street food stall is a fresh twist. Anyway, she’s the first one to make it. Pretty impressive, Luke thought to himself.
“Mr. Lewis, should I go get Jesse and bring him home? Luke asked. Samuel just watched, staying quiet, so Luke figured it was best not to push the issue.
While they were eating, Jesse pulled out his phone, fiddled with it for a bit, and then handed it to Lillian with both hands.. Lillian looked at the screen and saw a QR code for WhatsApp. “What’s this? You want me to add me?”
Jesse nodded.
“Who is it? Your family?” Lillian asked.
Jesse nodded again.
Lillian kept eating, asking in a relaxed voice, “Parents? Siblings?”
Jesse shook his head.
Lillian continued, “Grandparents?”
After thinking for a moment, Jesse nodded.
“Not adding them,” Lillian refused.
Jesse looked upset, but he didn’t give up. He stretched out his little arms, pushing the phone toward Lillian again, his big dark eyes full of hope
Lillian asked, “Why should I add them? Is your phone getting taken away?”
Jesse stayed quiet, just holding the phone up.
12:45 Tue, Dec 31
Chapter 3
Looking at his cute, soft face, Lillian sighed and finally picked up the phone to scan the code. She had thought she could play it off, but he was watching her so closely that she had no choice but to send the friend request.
Seeing the plain profile picture and the simple WhatsApp name 1.ewis,” she guessed it was Jesse’s grandpa. To avoid any confusion, she quickly added a note to the friend request, “Old Timer”
Luke watched the two, confused. “What are they doing?”
The next moment, Samuel’s phone buzzed. He pulled it out to check. A notification appeared on his WhatsApp: [Lillian has sent you a friend request.]
Samuel turned off his phone and looked back at Jesse. After a moment, his gaze shifted naturally to Lillian.
She wore her hair in a high ponytail that highlighted her slender neck. Dressed in casual clothes, she moved with a relaxed, easygoing vibe. Her skin was very pale, giving her a delicate appearance.
Her profile showcased a gentle beauty that felt inviting rather the intimidating. Her back was so thin that her collarbones stood out prominently–she was truly captivating.
Feeling the scrutiny, Lillian picked up her drink to cover her face scanning her surroundings casually.
That was when Samuel took a good look at her face. It was small, but her features were striking. Combined with her sharp, edgy vibe, it made her soft profile seem a bit deceptive.
Soon, Lillian noticed that Jesse’s white Bentley was nowhere in sight, replaced instead by a black Maybach with tired windows.
Jesse was already full and feeding beef jerky to General, General Lillian was close to finishing her meal too.
Before they could wrap up, a group of rowdy guys pulled up chairs. “Hey, chick. Mind if we share the table?”
A few whistles followed, and a cloud of smoke drifted through the air. “Are you out for a late–night snack with your little brother? He’s a real cutie in that cool outfit.”
Chris Abbott, the leader of the group, flashed a grin that showed off his yellowing teeth. “Is that all you’re eating? It’s still carly! Come on, I’ll treat you.”
He snatched up the menu and added, “Order whatever you like
Lillian didn’t even look up. “Get lost.”
Instead of intimidating them, her words only fueled their excitement.
“Wow, you’ve got
rot some fire,” one guy
teased.
“Chris doesn’t mean any harm. He just loves making friends with pretty girls, especially someone as gorgeous as you another chimed in, patting a stuffed toy on the chair beside him
The third grinned, “Yeah, being friends with Chris is definitely worth it.”
Their voices grew louder, drawing the attention of others around including the shop owner. But no one dared to step in since the guys looked pretty intimidating.
Lillian set down her fork, her expression turning icy. She knew she couldn’t make any drastic moves given her illness, not to mention Jesse was sitting right across from her.
Jesse held General, his little face tense.
As Lillian thought about how to get rid of these nuisances, Chris blew smoke right in her direction–definitely a reckless
Chapter 5
ue, Dec
move to provoke Lillian.
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