Chapter 293 The End for Anderson Was Certain
The gifts were custom-made: a mech toy that required assembly and a beautifully crafted, fairy-tale-like castle building set.
Why are you giving us gifts?" the older child asked warily. "My mom's working over there, and my sister and I aren't going anywhere with you.
Derek, who was a pediatrician, had a knack for communicating with children.
"There are two very good kids here who always listen to their mom, so I brought you both a reward," explained Derek softly. "You'll keep being good and listen to mom, right?"
"I've got more gifts to deliver to other well-behaved kids, so I should be going now," he said, intending not to linger.
The little sister nodded, but her brother remained vigilant until Derek waved goodbye and got back in his car to leave. It was only after they saw Derek's car drive away the brother carefully reached for the gift.
"Upon seeing the contents, his eyes lit up with excitement, as if uncovering a treasure."
"These look expensive! We can sell them and buy you a new pair of shoes!" he told his sister, eyeing the toys.
However, the sister hugged the castle set, clearly unable to part with it. After a moment of contemplation, the brother decided to sell only the mech toy and save the castle for his sister to play with.
What Derek didn't know was that the pair claiming to have a mother were actually orphans, street-savvy and on their own. The gifts he had left behind inadvertently would help them avoid going hungry for a while and would also, in the future, plant the seeds that could save him from his own downfall.
*
Not long after Derek left, Naomi received word that Anderson had left the country.
"Weren't you supposed to keep a close eye on her?" Naomi asked with a deep tone, "When did she leave?"
" She must have landed in Singapore by now, having left in the morning. I've got people waiting to intercept her as soon as she's spotted," responded the person on the phone nervously.
The people monitoring Anderson had grown complacent as she had been leading a quiet life, shopping or staying at home with little social interaction. So when Anderson's usual lunch outing didn't happen, they thought she might be dining in.
Out of nowhere, someone blurted out, "Dinner at home? But wasn't the person sent out to get groceries still out?"
That remark immediately caught the attention of the surveillance operative.
He instantly ordered a check on Anniston's passport information.
Sure enough, they found her departure records.
"Keep it down," Fiona said sternly.
"Got it."
After a moment of thought, Fiona asked, "Did she act unusual before today?"
"No," came the frustrated reply. "She bought a bag yesterday, arranged to have it delivered this afternoon, and even booked an evening spa treatment. Nothing suggested she was planning to run off!"
Fiona’s gaze grew more intense.
If Anniston wasn't deliberately covering her tracks, something must have arisen suddenly. Maybe someone tipped her off, prompting her hasty escape.
"Check her call logs from last night until her departure today," Fiona instructed.
"Understood!"
The call ended shortly thereafter.
"Do you suspect Anniston hired someone to take you out?" Janna's voice came from behind.
Fiona turned around. "What do you think?"
Janna shook her head, gesturing dismissively, "I know about the signal issues; Charles mentioned them to me too. First off, I don't believe Anniston currently has the financial means to hire someone from The Venomous Shadows to eliminate someone she's barely met twice."
Over the years, Darwin had rendered Anniston powerless.
She also had a penchant for lavish spending.
She was getting by on the few million Darwin tossed her way each month.
The fees for The Venomous Shadows were top-tier in the assassination game.
Anniston couldn't afford it.
"Secondly," Janna continued, "even though Darwin has been keeping her down all these years, Anniston isn't foolish enough to leave the signal on for you to track."
"I share your opinion." Fiona paused for a moment, "But the current situation is that she hasn’t hired anyone, yet she's on the run."
"Let's head back to the hospital. I'll bring her in," Janna said calmly. " In a way, we'd be saving her life. If we can't catch her, Anniston's as good as dead."
Someone wanted her to take the fall.
The living can explain themselves; they can't bear such a burden.
Thus, Anniston’s prospects seemed grim.
As they were speaking…
The study door swung open.
Chicago’s chubby little head peeked in.
Fiona and Janna instantly swapped their serious faces for warm smiles.
"Honey, what's the matter?"
Fiona walked over to Chicago.
"Mommy~"
Chicago walked over, hugged Fiona with his soft arms, cuddling against her leg. "Grandma Rhoads doesn't know yet that you agreed to let me see Darwin."
While she spoke, she looked again at Janna. "The kindest Grandma Rhoads, since Mommy doesn't hate Darwin anymore, can you give Chicago back her phone from Darwin?"
Janna glanced towards Fiona.
Chicago seemed to understand that the decision rested in her mother's hands.
With her big, shining eyes, she gazed at Fiona, "Please Mommy, pretty please~"
"You have to promise Mommy you won't bother Darwin all the time," Fiona said.
"Okay!"
Chicago agreed with crisp conviction.
After answering, she nuzzled up to Fiona, "Chicago must be the happiest kid in the world, to have such a wonderful mommy... and great-grandma!"
"Look at you," Janna laughed heartily.
Fiona couldn't help but simultaneously laugh and cry.
Neither she nor Darwin were that way, she wondered who Chicago took after.
After that.
Janna took Chicago to get her phone.
Fiona headed to Charles's study.
When she opened the door, she found Charles and Burl deep in a serious conversation.
On seeing her enter.
They both instantly clammed up.
Charles remained composed, but Burl seemed noticeably more guilt-ridden.
"What are you two talking about?" Fiona asked with a smile as she approached them.
"Nothing," Burl said robotically, shaking his head, "Charles, do you want some fruit? I'll go down and get some for you."
Charles didn't really feel like having any.
"Sure, thanks, Uncle."
But he wanted to shoo his uncle away.