Chapter 306 What's Your Father's Name?
Aaron's hand was soaked with tears, and Lillian, wrapped up in his arms, was bawling her eyes out. He couldn't figure out where all those tears were coming from.
Lillian's crying was soft and heart-wrenching. Normally, Aaron couldn't stand the sound of a kid crying, but now he managed to keep his cool.
Aaron found himself in a weird spot, holding Lillian. When had he, a guy used to being alone, ever had to comfort a kid? The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife.
He shot a look at the hotel manager. "What the hell is going on?"
"Mr. Abbott, we're not sure either. She's a real Houdini, managed to hide in this place. Our folks looked everywhere but couldn't find her."
Aaron's lips pressed into a thin, cold line. "But she said someone tried to kidnap her?" he asked.
"Mr. Abbott, that's absolutely not true. Why would we kidnap a kid? She probably got spooked by our people and thought they were trying to nab her," the hotel manager replied.
Aaron looked down at the crying Lillian in his arms. "Who tried to kidnap you? Do you remember what they looked like?"
As Lillian's tears slowed down, she wiped the corners of her eyes, her eyelashes clumping together. Her tear-streaked eyes locked onto Aaron, filled with accusation. "I didn't see clearly, but they were wearing clothes like his."
Hearing this, Aaron shot the hotel manager a cold glare. "You better give me a good explanation."
"Mr. Abbott, this is really a misunderstanding. We weren't trying to kidnap her; we were trying to find her. After all, she's just a kid and it's normal for her to be scared and say things," the hotel manager defended.
"I wasn't lying!" Lillian looked even more upset. "Mister, you have to believe me."
Aaron looked at her. "I believe you."
At that moment, a stunning woman walked over. "What's going on? I heard a kid went missing?" she asked.
The hotel manager replied quickly and respectfully, "Ms. Benjamin, it's true that a kid went missing. But she said our hotel staff tried to kidnap her. How is that possible?"
The woman nodded, glanced at the little girl in Aaron's arms, and smiled. "Mr. Abbott, the manager is right. We really have no reason to kidnap a little girl."
Aaron knew he wouldn't get any answers for now, so he left with Lillian in his arms.
Once they were out of sight, the woman's demeanor changed. "Incompetence! Can't even catch a kid. What good are you?" she scolded.
"Ms. Benjamin, we didn't expect the kid to be so sneaky. She was behaving at first, then she vanished in a blink and hid in a coffin. Who could have thought of that?"
"What is this little girl's relationship with Aaron?"
"Not sure, maybe they came together," the hotel manager replied sincerely.
"Where is Sam?" The beautiful woman turned and headed towards the basement.
The hotel manager wiped the sweat from his forehead. Who would've thought they'd get outsmarted by a little girl? They searched for so long and still couldn't catch her. But he couldn't understand why they needed to catch a little girl!
Meanwhile, Aaron took Lillian back to his room. He placed her on the sofa and looked down at her. "Were you scared?"
Lillian shook her head. "I'm not scared!" But her voice had a touch of sadness, and her eyelashes still sparkled with leftover tears.
Aaron felt a bit lost and asked, "How'd you get my number?"
"I took the business card you left in the car." Lillian looked up at him with a bright smile, saying innocently, "Mister, you're a good person."
"Why would they kidnap you? What's your mom do?" Aaron's eyes narrowed. The folks at Radiant Valley Hotel wouldn't snatch a kid for no reason unless something was up.
Lillian looked down, swinging her feet guiltily. "I don't know why they'd kidnap me."
"Tell the truth!" Aaron could tell she was dodging and said calmly, "I don't like people lying."
Lillian pouted and answered, "I asked the hotel staff where my dad was staying, and they said they'd take me to him, but they tried to lock me up instead."
Aaron frowned. "Weren't you here to find your mom?"
Lillian looked guilty, her eyes glistening as she glanced at him. "Mister, I'm sorry I lied."
Aaron let out a quiet sigh. Remembering Lillian's earlier mention in the car that she only had a mom, he felt a wave of empathy. "Can you give me your mom's phone number?" He took out his phone, thinking the number Lillian had given earlier might be fake.
Lillian moved closer, her expression pleading as she sat tightly beside him, her small hands nervously clasped together. "I want to find my dad!"
"Such matters are best left to the grown-ups." Aaron had some opinions about Lillian's parents. How could they leave the kid in the dark about important family stuff? If he hadn't run into her today, she might be in danger.
Lillian got anxious, holding his hand, her voice sweet and soft. "If my mom finds out, she'll definitely hit me. My mom is really scary when she's mad."
"Then why'd you sneak out?"
"But I just want to see my dad once, and then I'll sneak back. That way, mom won't know," said Lillian.
Aaron looked at her big, watery eyes and finally softened. "Are you sure your dad is in this hotel?"
"I'm sure! Mom said so herself!"
Aaron leaned back on the sofa. "Then why would the hotel staff kidnap you when you asked about your dad?"
"I don't know. I was very polite!" Lillian answered, her voice sweet and innocent.
Aaron frowned again. The problem must be with Lillian's dad. Could he be a gambler? Or a criminal?
He looked over. "Do you know what your dad does?"
"Business!"
'Probably illegal business!' Aaron thought silently.
He lost patience and asked directly, "What's your dad's name?" He'd have someone find him.
Lillian answered crisply, "His name is Sam!"
When Aaron heard this name, his usually calm face showed a crack, as if he couldn't believe it. He asked again, "What did you say his name was?" Maybe it was just a similar-sounding name.
"Sam!" Lillian said firmly.
Aaron felt the cup almost crush in his hand. Sam? Was the little girl standing before him actually Sam's daughter?
A sudden twinge of jealousy gripped Aaron. How did Sam end up with such an adorable daughter? And she looked a lot like Susanna!
Without a moment's hesitation, Aaron dialed Sam's number once more. "Get to my room, now!"
