Ch. 1501..1510

Chapter 1501

Chapter 1501

Drake's hands shook slightly. During his time in Centrolis, he'd heard about the Hamertons and Thompsons. The Thompsons not only controlled the entertainment industry but also had ties to the underworld. "Heh..." Drake chuckled dryly. "This baby might be small, but the family background is impressive. What a stroke of luck to be born into such a family!"

Bianca was too busy admiring her newly painted nails to pay him any attention.

Drake asked, revealing his yellowed teeth, "Ms. Bianca, why are you showing me this photo?"

"Find a way to acquire this child for me."

"What?" Drake almost dropped to the ground in shock.

"What's the matter?" Bianca turned to him, a mocking glint flashing in her eyes. "From what I know, your village is known for human trafficking. Everyone there is skilled at abducting children and women. Even your wife was trafficked there, right? Kidnapping a child should be easy for you, shouldn't it?"

"You..." Drake was at a loss for words-his smile froze on his face. "Well, Ms. Bianca, you're oversimplifying things. While it's true there are many abducted women and children in our village, there are dedicated human traffickers for that sort of thing. It's not something I'd do!"

Bianca looked at him solemnly. "Drake Dickinson, do you enjoy living here?"

"It's comfortable..."

"If you want to continue living comfortably, you'll have to help me with something as you promised before."

"But, Ms. Bianca-"

"Stealing this child won't be difficult," Bianca sneered, patting his shoulder. "The child is eight months old now, already turning over and crawling. The Hamertons value education, so this child has already started attending specialized early education classes."

Drake didn't understand what early education meant and felt lost in the conversation.

"I've already bribed two Hamerton bodyguards." Bianca continued, gazing into his eyes. "When the time comes, you just need to cooperate with them and kidnap the child. I'll give you a substantial amount of money!"

At the mention of money, Drake's eyes sparkled.

"How much... How much money is it? Enough to build a new house in our village?"

Bianca scoffed, her expression full of mockery. "Certainly! Enough to buy the entire village. Even your mayor would have to bow down to you!"

A loud ringing filled Drake's ears, and he felt excited.

The mayor owned pigs and sheep, making him the wealthiest person in the village. If even he had to bow down to Drake, the latter could have his way in the entire mountainous region! "Alright, I'll do it!" Filled with enthusiasm, Drake rolled up his sleeves and closely examined the photo. "T-This... is a boy, right?"

Bianca gave him a doubtful look. "It's a girl."

"A girl?!" Drake was taken aback and slumped his head, appearing disheartened. "What's the point of stealing a girl? They're not worth much!"

"What did you just say?"

"I mean, Ms. Bianca!" Drake earnestly attempted to educate Bianca. "Girls aren't as valuable. Let's not take her! If you want to steal a child, I'll get you a boy! Great value, guaranteed!" "You..." Bianca stared at him, her eyes wide. She felt like she was conversing with a lunatic.

Drake spoke with fervor, spittle flying. "Ms. Bianca, we should aim for bigger opportunities! I've observed over the past few days, and there are plenty of baby boys around! Heck, even in this hotel, there's a couple with twin baby boys, and I—"

"Drake Dickinson!" Bianca erupted in fury, causing Drake to turn pale.

"You!" Bianca ground her teeth, enunciating each word. "Are you insane?"

"Ms. Bianca, what are you saying?" Drake appeared innocent. "I'm helping you! Baby boys are more valuable, you know! This girl is a loss. I won't take her! I may not know much of this world, but I have a clear head and won't engage in a losing trade!"

Chapter 1502

Chapter 1502

Bianca couldn't hold back any longer and erupted, "Dickinson! You're absolutely absurd!"

Drake stared at her as if she had lost her mind.

Had he said something wrong? In his mind, baby boys were obviously more valuable. Instead of making more money, this woman insisted on taking a worthless girl! It seemed like women were just born with no value!

Drake's foolish yet unreasonable sense of superiority started to stir within him.

"Ms. Bianca, you really don't get it, do you?" He shook the bottle in his hand. "Girls, when they grow up, they have to get married. Eventually, they'll belong to a man—" "Shut up! Just do what I asked!" Bianca had no patience for talking. "Kidnap the child I requested!"

Bianca would lose her temper and shout when she got angry, not caring that they were in the hotel's backyard. Even if no one was around, it was still a public place. "Dickinson!" She panted and glared at him. Then she tossed a wad of cash at him.

Drake was caught off guard, and the bills fluttered like rain to the ground. When he saw the money, his eyes lit up, and he didn't care about anything else. He knelt on the ground, picked up the bills ungracefully, and clenched them in his hands.

Bianca sneered. "Now, can you go and kidnap the child?"

Drake nodded eagerly with a grin. "Yes, of course! Ms. Bianca, don't say one-I'll get you ten!"

"Can you understand human language or not?!" Bianca rolled her eyes at him. "I only want this child!"

"Alright, alright."

After picking up the money, Drake stood up, spat on his hand, and was about to count the amount-when he met Bianca's disgusted gaze. He chuckled dryly and rubbed his hand on his clothes before tucking the wad of cash into his pocket.

"After this is done, I'll give you even more than this," Bianca said coldly. "You just need to get the child. Don't forget, you are not allowed to harm the child!"

The child was the Hamertons and Thompsons' treasure. She would be in big trouble if any harm came to the child.

"Okay, I'll remember." Drake nodded. "Ms. Bianca, just one more question... Why do you need this child for? You can tell me so I can act accordingly."

Bianca looked at him. He might as well know since they were now on the same side. Besides, Drake also despised Lena. The enemy of her enemy would be her friend.

Bianca cleared her throat. "The mother of that girl you adopted is a human trafficker, right?"

"Huh?" Drake didn't immediately grasp the situation.

"I want everyone, including Ms. Thompson, to see that the daughter of a human trafficker is also involved in human trafficking! Lena, whom she trusts so much, is the mastermind behind her daughter's abduction!"

Bianca was confident in her plan, but Drake stood there, bewildered. "Isn't the mastermind... you?" he mumbled.

"Drake Dickinson!"

If Bianca had a knife in her hand, she might have wanted to stab him!

"Alright, alright, just do as I say! Keep your mouth shut about this matter, and don't breathe a word. If you dare to mess up my plan, I'll make sure you have nowhere to hide!"

Drake nodded meekly, standing to the side as he watched Bianca leave in a hurry. He scratched his head and opened the bottle to take a swig. He felt the fiery liquor burn down his throat, intoxicating yet comforting.

After he capped the bottle, he reached into his bulging pocket.

Well, no matter the plan, what was in this pocket was real!

Drake hummed a little tune as he walked to his room. Someone suddenly rushed toward him as he pulled out his room key and was about to open the door.

"Ah!" Drake exclaimed.

He reverted to his menacing demeanor when he saw who it was, cursing, "You brat! Did you want to scare me to death?"

Chapter 1503

Chapter 1503

Alexander stared directly at Drake with a faint smile.

Drake opened the door to welcome him inside, and Alexander's expression turned complex as he surveyed the grand surroundings. It was a place adorned with gold, and it struck Alexander as improbable that Drake now resided there.

Alexander grinned slyly. Did he truly deserve this?

"Why are you here?" Drake prodded him curtly from behind. "Shouldn't you be in school right now?"

Alexander turned to face him, his tone indifferent. "I wanted to see you, so I came."

"See me?" Drake felt surprised.

"When has a kid like you ever thought about his old man?" Drake's words were oddly accurate. Who would think about a father who only knew how to inflict pain?

"Let me be direct so you can get back to your drinking." Alexander observed the bottle in Drake's hand and then eyed his pocket with a cunning glint. "I've got it all figured out!"

"What?"

"I saw that woman giving you money."

Drake panicked, trying to muffle his words, but Alexander swiftly sidestepped.

"I saw and heard everything! Did you think no one was around?" Alexander stated.

"You little troublemaker, stop talking nonsense!" Drake was furious and flustered. He recalled Bianca's warning-he couldn't let a word slip.

"I'm not spouting nonsense." Alexander remained surprisingly composed. "You and that woman are up to no good with my sister."

"You-"

"Do you want me to keep quiet, dad?"

"Huh?" Drake was bewildered. "What are you getting at?"

"This is a sensitive matter, and you can't let it out." Alexander spoke slowly, emphasizing each word. "I can keep my lips sealed-just slip me some cash."

Drake snorted.

Alexander had noticed Bianca had just handed Drake a substantial sum of money. He had only seen this because he was at a distance and hadn't overheard their conversation. He had concocted the conspiracy against his sister in his own mind-he simply wanted some money.

Drake owed him-and Lena.

Alexander leaned against the door and shrugged like a young delinquent. "Dad, think about it. A bit of cash will keep me silent. If you don't want to buy my silence, then keep worrying! I've made friends at school now. Who knows when I might casually mention your rendezvous with that woman..."

"Fine, you little rascal!" Drake fished out some money and tossed it at Alexander, much like Bianca had done to him earlier. "Is that enough?!"

Alexander had a vague understanding of money, but he knew these were high-denomination bills. It should be sufficient to treat his sister to a nice meal!

Alexander smiled and crumpled the bills into his pocket. Before departing, he turned around and continued to taunt Drake. "Dad, I'm your son. It's only fair for me to ask for some cash! If I run out, I might pay another visit!"

"You..." Drake removed his shoe and flung it at Alexander, but the quick teenager vanished without a trace.

Chapter 1504

Chapter 1504

On Sunday, Alexander visited Lena after getting the money.

At first, he thought about taking her out for a meal, but he understood that things had changed for her. A simple meal wouldn't mean much to her now, considering she must have enjoyed many good meals before.

Nevertheless, he was determined to use the money to do something special for her, so he suggested they go somewhere else.

"Ms. Lena, how about a trip to the amusement park? My treat," Alexander suggested with enthusiasm.

Lena was initially hesitant but found it difficult to decline when Alexander was so excited about the idea. She agreed to meet him at the amusement park.

Surprisingly, it was Lena's first visit to an amusement park.

Despite residing in Centrolis for many years, she had always harbored an instinctive aversion to places like this. She believed that the happiness and laughter found in such places didn't belong to her world, which she felt was confined to the gray, overcast sky.

Even during her time with Chris, they had never visited an amusement park together. She had heard a superstition that couples who rode Ferris wheels together would break up, and her greatest fear was that her relationship with Chris would end.

"Ms. Lena, what's on your mind?" Alexander's cheerful voice brought Lena back to the present moment. She looked down and met his smiling gaze.

"I've bought passes for us," Alexander proudly displayed the tickets. "Do you know what passes are? With these, we can enjoy all the rides and games in the amusement park. It's a better deal than purchasing individual tickets!"

"You're quite clever," Lena acknowledged with a smile. "You adapt quickly."

"How else could I impress you?" Alexander playfully responded.

"Alright, you're in charge today," Lena conceded, looking at him. "Which ride do you want to go on first?"

Knowing that most boys enjoyed thrilling rides, Alexander took Lena on the roller coaster, the drop tower, and the river rapids. However, Lena's preference was the carousel.

Both of them had a blast until noon, sharing laughter and working up a sweat.

"Alexander, are you feeling hungry?" Lena asked as she finished a bottle of water. "Let me treat you to lunch."

"No way! We agreed that it's my treat!"

"You..." Lena looked at him skeptically. "Where did you get the money?"

She knew Alexander had excellent grades and might have received a scholarship, but he also had his own expenses to cover. He shouldn't be spending so extravagantly.

"Where the money came from is not your concern," Alexander replied with a faint grin. "It's from a legitimate source. Besides, I just wanted to treat you to a meal and enjoy this time with you because..." Alexander felt that Drake owed Lena something, but he left the thought unfinished.

Lena's heart skipped a beat, sensing something unusual in his eyes. Their gaze met, and it seemed like they both understood each other's thoughts. Lena nervously clasped her hands, her throat dry, struggling to find words.

There was a momentary silence before Alexander hurriedly went to a stall and returned with two candies, extending them to Lena with a warm smile. Lena's heart leaped, and a whirlwind of emotions swirled within her, causing her eyes to tear up.

"Leo..."

"I'm not Leo anymore. I'm Alexander," he calmly stated. "If Leo brings back painful memories, forget about him. Just remember Alexander."

Lena felt a pang in her heart. Tears flowed freely as she embraced Alexander.

Alexander, who appeared much younger due to long-term malnutrition, gently patted her back, his own eyes glistening with tears.

Lena wept without saying a word.

"Hey, don't cry!" Alexander softly comforted her. "I didn't mean to make you cry. I-I just wanted to make you happy and share some candy with you! I... "Sis!"

Chapter 1505

Chapter 1505

In Alexander's mind, a faint childhood memory had always lingered. Back then, Lena used to carry him on her back during the day and sing him to sleep at night. Lena was the only beacon of light in his life, where warmth was scarce.

Who said that three- or four-year-old kids couldn't remember? That memory stayed with him as he grew up, guiding him to reunite with his sister.

"Sis, please don't cry, okay? Ms. Lena!"

Lena paused for a moment with tears in her eyes before smiling at him.

The two of them found a cozy little eatery to sit down, which happened to be the same place where Chris took her for pizza.

Julius warmly greeted them. "Oh, what a rare visit! This is..."

"I'm her younger brother!" Alexander replied swiftly.

Lena smiled at him and ordered two pizzas.

Julius initially looked a bit skeptical, but then he disappeared into the kitchen. When he returned, he brought two generous servings of pizzas.

"Dig in!" Lena handed Alexander a plate. "This place is great-reasonable prices and delicious food. Chris brought me here..."

As soon as Chris' name came up, her cheeks turned a shade redder.

Alexander grinned mischievously and asked, "Sis, is that guy treating you well?"

Lena pretended not to understand. "What guy?"

"The one you mentioned, Chris!" Alexander's grin widened. "Don't hide it. When we were in the mountains, I saw you two hugging, and he even kissed you!"

"Alexander!" Lena looked at him sternly, but it was too late their conversation had attracted some attention.

"Enough!" She discreetly kicked him under the table. "Stop talking nonsense. You're just a kid!"

"I'm not a kid," Alexander protested. "I'm already 12! I'm growing up."

"12 is still a kid!"

Alexander's smile softened. "Sis, why didn't he come with you today?"

"You invited me, right? You only invited me, not him, so of course he didn't come."

"He's pretty self-aware!"

Lena winced. In truth, ever since she had accidentally slapped him that one time, she felt like something had changed between them. Although Chris remained as kind to her as ever, she couldn't help but sense a shift.

Upon thinking about that, a tight feeling gripped her chest. That person who had cast a shadow over her life seemed to be in Centrolis, too.

Lena put down her pizza slice and looked at Alexander, hesitating for a moment before asking, "Leo, your father..."

"Right, I was just about to tell you about that!" Alexander's expression turned serious. "My dad is in Centrolis and has gotten quite close to that woman... The one who came to the mountains with you last time!"

"Bianca?"

"Yes!" Alexander didn't hold back. "I saw them talking in the hotel's backyard with my own eyes, and that woman even gave him money! When we were in the mountains, I already had a feeling she was up to no good. She kept asking me about you, but I didn't say anything."

Lena frowned. Bianca probably saw her as a rival and wanted to eliminate her. But what could she and Drake possibly be up to?

"Don't worry," Alexander reassured her between bites of pizza. "Let's pretend you've never seen me, and I've never seen you. Or... let's act like we've met but didn't recognize each other. I'll go back to my dad and try to gather more information. We can stay in touch if anything important comes up!"

Chapter 1506

Chapter 1506

Lena smiled as she gently stroked Alexander's head. He didn't feel distant from her at all. When he noticed she had more pepperoni slices on her pizza, he playfully snatched them. "Hey, why are you taking my pepperoni?" Lena protested.

"The owner is clearly biased, giving you so much!" Alexander countered.

"No way, you can't just take them!" Lena chuckled. "These are pepperoni with love from the owner!"

"I am growing and need to eat more!" Alexander quipped.

They chatted and finished their pizzas quickly.

Lena considered ordering another one for Alexander when she heard a sweet voice say, "Miss!" just as she was about to get up.

Surprised, she turned to see a cute little girl dashing toward her. "Nala?"

Nala hugged Lena tightly and nuzzled her head against her.

Alexander watched in awe. He had never seen such a pretty little girl with two braids and a puffy princess dress. She resembled the princess they had seen at the amusement park earlier. Could she be a real princess from fairy tales?

The girl grinned at him before asking Lena, "Miss, who is he?"

"He's "

Before Lena could answer, Elijah's voice came from the door. "He's an excellent student in school. He works really hard. Nala, you should study diligently like him when you grow up!"

Lena smiled and looked up. "What brings you here?"

"Why not? Can't I have a meal alone with my daughter?"

"No." Lena shook her head. "I just didn't expect to see you eating at a small place like this."

"This place is famous, okay?" Elijah sat down and ordered pizzas from Julius. "It's the weekend, and I'm out with Nala. She got hungry, and I found good reviews for this place, so we came! I didn't expect to run into you here."

Elijah smiled. "Are you personally treating the star student, Ms. Harding?"

Lena was about to explain that Alexander was not an ordinary student but her younger brother when he signaled her to stop. He shook his head at her, his calm gaze hinting at warmth.

He didn't want others to know about their relationship, though he wasn't sure why. His instinct told him that the fewer people who knew, the better.

Alexander chuckled. "Ms. Lena, I'm not full yet. Can I have another pizza?"

They all enjoyed their meal and conversation, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere, much like the autumn sun outside.

Drake had been trying for several days but couldn't find an opportunity to get close to Persephone.

She was the most beloved princess of the Hamertons and always had bodyguards with her. Even the car was bulletproof, and a dozen bodyguards formed a secure circle around her.

The two bodyguards Bianca had recruited were at the outermost edge, and they couldn't even approach Persephone, let alone collaborate with Drake.

Drake was growing frustrated, wondering if Bianca was fooling him.

Today, he once again staked out the early education center. From morning until afternoon, he finally spotted the Hamertons' convoy approaching.

As usual, Lina carried Persephone out of the car.

In addition to the Hamertons' bodyguards, there were some from the Thompsons as well. Nicholas had a criminal background, so these guards appeared more street-smart and rugged compared to the Hamertons' personnel.

Chapter 1507

Chapter 1507

Drake's heart trembled, and he swiftly concealed himself out of sight. Camping out lately hadn't even allowed him a clear glimpse of Persephone.

Meanwhile, Bianca's relentless phone calls persisted.

"Dickinson, what are you up to all day? I asked you to take a child, not divine apples. Is it really that challenging?"

'Damn it!' Drake cursed silently. 'Stealing those apples might indeed be easier!'

Despite his inner frustrations, he forced a smile. "Heh... Ms. Bianca, t-this isn't a cakewalk! I've been keeping a close watch these days. Those bodyguards are all armed. I'll get shot at if I rashly try to snatch the kid!"

"You're worthless." Bianca scoffed. "I've greased palms on my end, and you're letting me down!"

Drake suppressed his anger and remained silent.

"Listen up!" Bianca pressed on. "If you can't get this done, forget about your presidential suite and a single cent! Go back to your village and embrace poverty!"

Drake's heart sank at the prospect. Going from luxury to poverty was a brutal shift. His time in Centrolis had spoiled him with city extravagances, nightlife, and the rich meals Bianca provided. She even showered him with money, elevating his status over time.

Some in the hotel, unaware of his true situation, treated him with great respect, believing him to be some sort of VIP. It was a life beyond his wildest dreams from his days of hardship. Losing all of it because of a little girl would be a colossal waste!

Drake hastily spoke into the phone. "Ms. Bianca, please don't be upset!"

Bianca let out a cold huff.

"I... I'll find a way, alright?" Drake assured her. "A little girl isn't a big deal. I can manage it!"

"Good. I hope you're true to your word!"

Bianca hung up, leaving Drake anxious and unsure of his next move.

He strained his limited brainpower to think things through. The child Bianca desired was from an esteemed background. Would children like her fetch better prices?

If he couldn't get close to Persephone, could he snatch a girl with a similar upbringing? He could ask for less money since he hadn't secured the primary target.

Drake chuckled to himself, thinking he was rather clever. This should resolve the issue, shouldn't it?

With a tune humming in his head, he returned to the hotel. Before entering, he made a pit stop at a convenience store for a few beer cans, then swaggered into the hotel lobby. During his stay in Centrolis, he had observed various people coming and going, many of them wealthy individuals, some with daughters of notable beauty.

They probably weren't inferior to that little girl from the Hamertons!

Thinking this, Drake decided to focus on one of these girls and bring her to Bianca.

Drake lingered in the lobby, scanning for potential targets. Soon, he spotted a girl with braided hair clutching a doll, accompanied by an elegantly dressed woman, strolling along. Drake fixed his gaze on the child. She was unaccompanied by bodyguards, but their attire hinted at their prosperity.

The girl seemed to be around five or six years old, slightly older than his initial target. Nevertheless, it made little difference!

Drake grinned and discreetly shifted from his corner seat to a closer vantage point. His eyes remained fixed on the woman and the child.

Chapter 1508

Chapter 1508

"Mom, are we eating here again today?"

"Yes, don't you love the braised bass here?"

Nala frowned and pouted. She held back her desire to say, "But I want to eat at home."

Despite her young age, she could sense that her mother had been in a bad mood for the past few days. Even her response just now seemed indifferent.

Nala couldn't grasp the complexities of the adult world. She didn't understand why things could go from sunny to stormy instantly. All she knew was that whenever someone sent her mother pictures of her dad with other women, Kasey would react this way.

"Mom..."

Nala tugged at Kasey's hand, but the latter suddenly let go and stared tensely at something, hurrying away.

Nala was startled, and her doll slipped from her grasp.

"Mom-"

"Nala, stay right here and don't move!" Kasey shouted anxiously as she rushed ahead. "Mom will be back in a moment!"

Helplessly, Nala stood there, watching her mother's figure gradually disappear.

This had happened before. Whenever Kasey found out that Elijah was getting close to another woman, she would lose control, leaving Nala behind. Nala would have to wait quite some time to see her distraught mother again.

Lurking in the shadows, Drake squinted. Suddenly, he remembered seeing this mother-daughter duo a few times recently. Sometimes, the woman brought the little girl to eat, and other times, it was just the

woman...

Was she there to catch her husband cheating?

Yes, that had to be it!

Drake had been staying at the hotel daily and heard plenty of gossip. He had heard about a CEO who kept getting involved in scandals. Despite having a wife and child, he was always entangled with other women. Drake had also heard that this man was the son-in-law of the city's future mayor.

He chuckled. Who knew if these rumors were true or not? It was quite common even if a man was fooling around with other women.

He continued observing the little girl, noticing how she quietly picked up her doll from the floor and scanned her surroundings. Her young face lacked panic, only showing a hint of disappointment.

At that moment, two servers approached and politely addressed her as Ms. Chriss. One of them escorted her to the first-floor lounge.

Drake's expression changed.

It turned out this little girl wasn't that easy to approach either. She didn't have any bodyguards, just a few hotel staff members. Compared to the Hamertons' little princess, she should be easier to snatch. Drake followed them all the way to the lounge's entrance. By now, the servers had prepared snacks and drinks for Nala and left to attend to other tasks.

Drake scanned the area and refrained from acting recklessly due to security cameras in the corridor.

Unexpectedly, Nala walked out on her own!

Holding her doll tightly, Nala played alone in the empty corridor, seemingly bored. Suddenly, she noticed a small door leading to the hotel's backyard. Despite the cooling weather, the backyard was adorned with flowers, catching her attention.

Curiosity was natural for a child. She bounded toward the backyard.

Drake realized an opportunity had arisen!

The backyard was where he had spoken to Bianca that day. According to Bianca, there was nothing there except a broken surveillance camera.

Before approaching Nala, Drake straightened his clothes and quickly washed his face in the restroom.

"Hey, little girl," he said, approaching with a wrinkled smile. "Are you playing here all by yourself?"

Chapter 1509

Chapter 1509

Nala's eyes widened with surprise as she gazed at him.

"I have something really tasty with me. Are you feeling hungry?" Drake asked.

Nala firmly shook her head and started to retreat, but Drake swiftly blocked her path.

"Hey, don't go. Stay right there!" He held onto her with a tight grip. "Um... Your mom actually sent me to find you!"

Nala hesitated for a moment upon hearing it was her mother. "Is it really her?"

Drake continued, weaving his tale. "Didn't she just dash off suddenly? She told you to wait here, didn't she?"

"Yes..."

"That's correct!" Drake beamed. "Little one, if you leave like this, what if your mom can't find you?"

"She knows where to find me. I'll just play here for a bit and then head back to the lobby!"

"Oh..." Drake glanced around. "I know that lobby. I'll take you there!"

Nala became wary and cautiously freed herself, stepping back a couple of paces.

"I'm truly a friend of your mother's. If you don't go back, she'll be anxious when she can't locate you, right?"

"Okay, I'll go back!" she said.

Drake lifted Nala onto his shoulder.

Nala instinctively cried out, but he covered her mouth before she could make a sound!

No matter how she struggled, she was no match for an adult man. Drake clenched his fist and struck Nala on the back of her head, causing her to faint, and her doll fell to the ground.

Alexander arrived at the hotel, familiar with its layout, planning to extort more money from Drake. He didn't expect to find an unconscious little girl in the room.

"W-What's happening here?" he asked.

"It's an adult matter! Don't get involved!" Drake was drenched in sweat.

Carrying Nala earlier, he had to evade security and staff all the way. He couldn't carry her on his shoulder, so he had to act as if he was carrying his own child to fool everyone. Being a kidnapper and transporting a child had drained him.

Alexander gave him a skeptical look but then turned his attention to the little girl on the couch.

He recognized the lovely dress and the delicate face...

He couldn't help but murmur her name, "Nala?"

"What's going on? Do you know her?" Drake asked roughly.

Alexander bit his lip and stayed silent.

"You little troublemaker, don't make things difficult for your old man. Got it? This kid is worth a lot of money!" After the threat, Drake promptly called Bianca.

"Ms. Bianca, it's me... Uh-huh!

"Yes, yes, it's all under control... Ms. Bianca, I've got the child here. I assure you you'll be pleased with this girl!

"The child is in my room right now, but I'm feeling uneasy... Give me the address, and I'll bring her over immediately!"

Alexander's heart raced as he silently sat on the couch, shielding Nala behind him.

Then, he heard a sinister chuckle from the phone. The room was pin-drop silent, making the laughter sound particularly eerie.

"Excellent!" Bianca's voice reverberated through the spacious room. "Securely wrap up the child. When you exit the room, hug the wall to your right. There's a blind spot in the surveillance there! Then, go downstairs through the backyard. A van will be waiting there. Get in with the child!"

Drake repeatedly agreed and hung up, preparing to follow the instructions. Suddenly, a pair of hands grabbed him.

"W-What are you doing?" He glared at Alexander.

"Dad, you wouldn't... be planning to sell this girl, would you?" Alexander asked nervously.

Chapter 1510

Chapter 1510

"Must you interfere in my affairs, you stinky brat?" Drake grumbled, annoyed.

Alexander was his son, and he didn't plan to keep secrets from him. In his eyes, they shared the same blood. No matter how much he scolded or disciplined him, he couldn't abandon his own flesh and blood. He opened a drawer and found a pair of scissors, cutting off Nala's braids, which fell to the floor.

Alexander was shocked. He wanted to stop his father, but he knew he couldn't match Drake's strength, so he bit his lip and approached him. "Dad, are you really going to sell this girl?"

"It's not my choice. It's what Bianca wants," Drake said with a frown, instructing Alexander to fetch some of his old clothes from the wardrobe.

Alexander brought the clothes and watched as Drake's dirty hands tore at Nala's small dress. He exclaimed, "What are you doing?"

"You little troublemaker!" Drake glared at him. "Lower your voice. Do you want to expose us?"

"Dad, you "

"I need to change this girl's clothes! Her current attire will make her stand out," Drake explained impatiently.

Alexander rushed over and pushed his father aside. "I'll do it. You don't have to."

"You little rebel..." Drake started to say, then chuckled softly, patting Alexander's head. "Ah, I see now. You want to help your old man, huh? Heh... I can still count on my son when it matters! Alright, you're quick. Hurry and change her clothes. Let's go together!"

Alexander felt a deep sense of disgust, but given the circumstances, he had to take things one step at a time. He didn't remove Nala's dress but simply dressed her in Drake's old clothes, ensuring she looked like a boy. He even added a baseball cap to complete the disguise.

"Okay, that should do it!" Drake signaled to him. "The van is in the backyard. Let's move quickly!"

"Where are you taking her?"

"The outskirts," Drake impatiently replied. "Just hurry!"

Bianca arrived at the Hamerton residence.

Zuko had organized a small banquet at Zest Garden, inviting some close business partners to discuss future cooperation. The banquet took place in a separate hall with a limited number of guests, and the atmosphere was pleasant, accompanied by soothing violin music.

Everything appeared calm and ordinary.

It didn't seem as chaotic as Bianca had imagined. She frowned, sensing something was off. Drake had claimed to have taken Persephone. With his daughter missing, how could Zuko still be hosting a party and enjoying himself?

"Oh, what brings you here?" Suddenly, someone tapped Bianca on the shoulder from behind.

Startled, Bianca turned around to find Arya, who was wearing a friendly smile.

"Bianca, it's really you! It's been a while!"

Bianca was momentarily surprised but managed to force a smile.

"I heard you finished your studies abroad, and I haven't had a chance to catch up. What a coincidence to run into you today!"

"Yeah..."

"Did you earn your credits on your own?"

"Of course! What do you mean?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it. No need to take offense." Arya scratched her head. "I've heard stories from friends abroad about people buying their credits with money and even getting caught by professors. I hope that's not the case with you."

Bianca remained silent.

"By the way, why are you here?" Arya, always straightforward, continued. "It doesn't seem like Zuko invited you, did he?"

Bianca's expression changed, and she inwardly rolled her eyes before walking away. She had heard that Arya had been spending time with Toph lately. What a pair! Both of them spoke their minds without filter As Bianca pondered this, she noticed Chris not far away.