Chapter 6 Crossed Paths

Before Mia could comprehend what was happening, Mandy's wailing filled the air above her, the sound brimming with seemingly heartfelt remorse.

"Lily, I'm so sorry, I just wasn't thinking. It was truly an accident," Mandy sobbed dramatically.

She added, "You're my precious daughter. I carried you for nine months and even endured a C-section to bring you into this world. How could I ever intentionally hurt you? It really was an accident. Please forgive me just this once, okay? I promise it won't happen again. I love you."

Mandy's theatrical display of maternal affection seemed to soften Harrison's expression slightly. The intimidating pressure emanating from him finally eased, if only marginally. Though young, Mia sensed the shift in atmosphere with surprising awareness.

She didn't understand the complexities of the adult world, but she grasped the basic concept of self-preservation. In this moment, she chose to press her lips tightly together and observe silently, careful not to further inflame the situation.

Simon, noticing the change, stepped forward, positioning himself at a distance that allowed him to address Harrison without seeming presumptuous. He lowered his voice, carefully mediating.

"Mr. Frost, Ms. Reed is Lily's biological mother after all. Even the fiercest animal wouldn't harm its own young. I'm sure this wasn't intentional."

He paused, frowning as he glanced at the alarming red mark on Mia's arm. "Children's skin is so delicate—sometimes adults don't realize their own strength. You've already made your point on Lily's behalf. Perhaps we should focus on the more pressing matter of finding Dr. Johnson."

Harrison took a deep breath, suppressing his anger as he looked at Mia cradled quietly in his arms. His gaze, complex with emotion, finally shifted toward Mandy, his voice cold as ice.

"Remember, this is the last time."

The underlying authority and warning made Mandy inwardly shudder.

Sensing the immediate threat had passed, she quickly seized the opportunity, her face reorganizing into a meek, pleasing smile as she hastily promised, "I understand, Harrison. I give you my word—it absolutely won't happen again!"

Eager to demonstrate her maternal devotion, she extended her arms toward Mia, her voice deliberately softened to a gentle tone. "Come on, let's go find Dr. Johnson. Lily, sweetie, let Mommy hold you."

Faced with those outstretched arms, however, Mia recoiled like a frightened rabbit. The suffocating embrace and that cloying perfume still lingered in her memory. This woman who called herself "Mommy" had something in her eyes that made Mia deeply uncomfortable.

Without hesitation, she turned and buried her small face against Harrison's broad, solid chest, her tiny hands clutching his shirt with desperate intensity.

This silent action was the most absolute rejection.

Harrison stiffened momentarily, caught off guard by this sudden, complete trust from the child in his arms. Something in the softest part of his heart was gently stirred.

Meanwhile, Mandy's hands remained awkwardly suspended in mid-air, her smile fracturing into an expression of humiliation and jealousy.

Harrison ignored her completely, simply adjusting his hold to better support Mia—one hand securely under her bottom, the other protectively covering her small back, gently reassuring her.

Carrying Mia, he turned toward the operating room, leaving behind only one calm, decisive statement.

"Let's go."

As he entered the operating room, a strong antiseptic smell hit them immediately.

The interior was blindingly bright, illuminating cold metal instruments and several nurses finishing their work.

In that instant, the hope that had just begun to flicker in Harrison's eyes extinguished abruptly, rapidly transforming into a suppressed, potentially explosive anger.

He didn't linger for a moment, turning to leave immediately.

"Simon, keep searching. I don't care what methods you use—even if you have to turn this entire city upside down, find Dr. Johnson!"

"Yes, Mr. Frost! I'll get right on it!" Simon's forehead beaded with sweat as he quickly turned and hurried away, not daring to waste a second.

Harrison's group headed toward the elevator, with Mandy carefully following behind, even her breathing measured and cautious.

In the parking garage, the air felt stagnant.

Just as Harrison's car started and slowly moved toward the exit, a red sedan merged from the adjacent lane.

For the brief seconds their windows aligned, time seemed to slow like a movie scene.

Through the windshield, Mandy's gaze fell directly on the passenger in the opposite car.

Time appeared to freeze.

Mandy's pupils contracted sharply as all color drained from her face.

It was Elena. That bitch had actually returned!

Simultaneously, Elena spotted Mandy. Her gaze didn't linger or betray any emotion—she simply glanced over with quiet composure before calmly shifting her attention elsewhere.

That tranquility itself was a silent form of torture.

Charlotte, driving the car, remained completely oblivious to the exchange. She glanced at the two beautifully delicate children in the rearview mirror, her mood brightening.

"Mia, Connor, come on, let me have a kiss! No, make it three kisses!"

From the back seat, Connor immediately adopted a precocious expression. "Godmother, that's enough. One kiss is more than plenty, let alone three! Besides, my teacher says boys and girls should maintain proper boundaries. I must decline!"

Charlotte burst out laughing at his response, deliberately teasing him. "You little rascal, how old are you to be talking about gender boundaries? Are you suggesting I'm too old for you?"

She nodded toward the back seat, "Mia, go on! Pull your brother's ear and teach him a lesson for me!"

Charlotte was accustomed to playfully bantering with the children. Usually, at her command, the spirited Mia would have pounced on Connor, resulting in a tangle of giggles.

Today, however, the little girl in the back seat resembled a startled fledgling, her large eyes filled with timid unfamiliarity and anxiety.

She didn't dare move or speak, instinctively looking toward Elena in the passenger seat.

That figure radiated such gentle, reassuring warmth that she wanted nothing more than to remain in her embrace every second, never to be separated again.

Connor noticed Lily's unusual behavior.

As twins, he understood Mia better than he understood himself.

But this "Mia" had been quietly huddled in the corner since entering the car, like a frightened animal. Most tellingly, her small hand continuously, unconsciously tugged at the hem of her dress until the fabric was wrinkled.

This was something Mia never did.

A bizarre yet clear thought formed—this girl was not his sister Mia.

Several dozen minutes later, Charlotte's car smoothly pulled up in front of Pinewood City's most luxurious hotel.

After checking in and reaching their room, Charlotte poured Elena a glass of warm water. "Elena, about what you asked me to look into earlier—I've made some progress. I found a housekeeper, a relative of mine named Bronte Langley. She's exceptionally efficient and clean, very kind-hearted, and makes incredible soup. Once you're settled, I'll have her come over."

Elena nodded, her eyes reflecting gratitude.

"There's one more thing, regarding the child you asked me to locate." Charlotte hesitated, seeming to choose her words carefully. "A friend of mine says he believes he saw a child in Pinewood City who looks remarkably similar to Connor and Mia. He couldn't confirm exactly where, though."

"Of course," Charlotte added, "I'll keep looking. If there's any lead, I won't let it slip away."

At the mention of "child," Elena's expression immediately grew serious, her gaze drifting toward the city lights outside the window as she fell into deep contemplation.

After a long while, Elena finally looked back at Charlotte. "Let's not rush the matter with the child. Take it slowly. Staying at a hotel isn't sustainable long-term. The house my mother left me—did you arrange for it to be renovated?"

When Elena mentioned that property, the bright light in Charlotte's eyes seemed to dim, as if covered by a shadow.

"Elena, I'm sorry about this, I..." she faltered, finally struggling to reveal the truth. "I had already found workers and planned to have the place properly renovated. But when I took them there, I discovered that house was occupied."