“You’re seriously too cute! I have to let you see my Bugatti Veyron today!” In front of Averie, Mateo felt like he had the upper hand for once. Unlike Solana, who always knew everything, made him feel like all his talents had nowhere to shine.
But Averie was different. Next to her, Mateo looked so impressive, so high–class. He loved that feeling of being way above someone else.
Inside one of the luxury private rooms at the Prosperity Hotel, Nolan rested his long fingers on the edge of the glass table, spinning the turntable slowly, over and over.
It had already been nearly thirty minutes.
Benjamin watched helplessly as the table full of delicacies slowly went cold. He finally couldn’t hold it in anymore and walked up. “Aren’t you gonna eat? I heard this is the best hotel in Embridge City. Mr. Morrison booked it especially for you before heading back to Ofada City.”
Nolan replied coldly, “He just left like that? Couldn’t even spare one meal with me?”
Benjamin froze for a second, then said quickly, “The group’s probably got a lot going on. If it wasn’t for your transfer, Mr. Sandoval wouldn’t have sent Mr. Morrison here himself. Shows just how much Mr. Sandoval values you.”
Nolan threw his fork onto the table. His mood vanished in a second. He really thought he’d get to see George this time. Didn’t expect him to run off so fast.
Nolan muttered, ‘Is he really that scared to see me?‘
When Benjamin saw him stand up and head for the door, he asked quickly, “You’re really not gonna eat?”
‘What a waste,’ Benjamin thought.
Nolan didn’t answer. And Benjamin asked again, unwilling to give up, “How about… I pack it up for you?”
At the door, Nolan suddenly stopped. “That’s actually not a bad idea.” He let out a soft chuckle. “Then pack up half of everything and send it to Mr. Morrison.”
Benjamin’s jaw almost hit the floor. “But… in this kind of heat, won’t the food go bad on the way?”
The person at the door was already walking out, voice floating behind him, “Even if it spoils, Mr. Morrison still has to sign for it, right? It’s the first time in eighteen years I’ve ever sent him anything. Gotta show some respect.”
Benjamin was totally confused. Nolan had been living in Sherpsel for years, while George had always been in Ofada City working for Henry as his number two at Sandoval Group.
They were thousands of miles apart. George rarely even went to Sherpsel. And when he did, it was always for work–never to visit the Sandoval family. They’d probably never even met.
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Solana ran outside the hotel. In her past life, when she was summoned to take the blame, they never actually brought her to the scene, so she had no idea where the accident had really happened.
Solana could only circle around the area near the hotel, but didn’t see her dad anywhere.
Then Solana remembered–if she could find Averie, she’d find her dad. She pulled out her phone and called Averie.
Right then, Averie was sitting in the passenger seat of Mateo’s Bugatti Veyron. At first, she thought the car looked kind of ugly, but once she heard how insanely expensive it was, the way she looked at the interior totally changed.
Averie touched everything super carefully, like she was scared her nails might scratch something.
Mateo grinned for a long time as Averie kept going on and on with compliments.
Then, out of nowhere, her phone rang. Averie looked down and saw the caller ID: “Dad.” Her face instantly changed.
Mateo saw it too and asked, puzzled, “It’s Mr. Webb–aren’t you gonna pick up?”
Averie knew very well–it wasn’t Robert’s number. It was Charles. ‘Damn it, I totally forgot to change the name,‘ she
thought.
But with Mateo sitting right there, Averie had no choice but to step outside to answer.
As soon as the call connected, Charles’s voice came through, anxious. “Averie, where are you?”
Averie felt disgusted, but when she glanced back and saw Mateo still watching her from the car, she swallowed her anger and replied, “Didn’t I tell you I was staying at a friend’s place?”
Charles continued, “A few days ago, your mom ran into your friend’s mom on the street. She said you’ve never even been to their house. Where are you really? Your mom and I are worried sick.”
Averie turned away, not showing a trace of guilt or panic about being exposed. She said coldly, “Well, since you already know, I won’t hide it anymore. I was going to tell you after today anyway.
“Since you’re so desperate to know, I’ll just say it now. Listen carefully–I’m not your daughter. You don’t need to hang around me anymore. My real parents will give you a sum of money. Consider it repayment for raising me all these years. As for your real daughter, she’ll be returned to you soon.”
With that, Averie hung up. She took a deep breath and forced a smile, about to turn around–when suddenly a voice came
from the shadows: “Averie.”
Averie froze and whipped her head around.
Charles stood a short distance away, clutching his phone, staring at the girl in the expensive princess dress like he didn’t
even recognize her.
When Averie saw him standing there, totally out of place in his plain shirt at the entrance of such a high–end hotel, she was mortified. It felt like he’d come here just to embarrass her.
Then Averie stormed over and snapped, “How do you know I’m here? You followed me? You actually followed me? I’m calling the cops! I swear I will!”
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Averie got more and more worked up.
Charles looked stunned by the stranger standing in front of him and murmured, “You turned on location sharing last time, remember?” But Charles had always respected her privacy. This was the first time he’d ever checked.
“Damn it!” Averie couldn’t hear a word he was saying, totally freaking out. “Why are you pushing me like this? I told you, you’ll get the money! Don’t you understand? Just go away! Leave me alone! Get out of here!”
Solana had called twice, but both times it said the line was busy. She got a bad feeling and quickly called Gloria.
Gloria told her that Averie was with Mateo and warned her not to interfere.
Then Solana turned right around and called Mateo.
The call connected instantly. Mateo’s voice came through, smug and mocking. “Wow, came around finally? Ready to beg? Go on, let’s hear it–how do you wanna beg me?”
Solana asked sharply, “Where are you?”
Mateo thought she was coming to apologize, so he gave her the location right away.
Hanging up, Solana took off running.
Mateo leaned against a lamppost with one hand in his pocket, waiting for Solana. As soon as he saw her coming, he straightened up. But before he could say a word, she asked, “Where’s Averie?”
Mateo’s face immediately fell. “Why are you asking about her? Don’t tell me you’re still hoping she’ll beg for you.”
Just then, the sound of an engine starting echoed from ahead. Mateo instantly recognized the roar of his Bugatti Veyron.
Instantly, Solana’s face went pale. She had spotted the tall man standing right in front of the now–running car.
‘It’s my dad. No doubt about it,‘ Solana thought.
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