Chapter 803
803:
Zenia fixed Collin with a steady gaze, her lips sealed shut.
Together with Zander, she had crafted their plan meticulously and was determined to keep it a secret from Linsey.
“Are you not in the mood to talk?” Collin asked, his voice soft and his demeanor soothing. “That’s perfectly fine. Just take some time to rest; we’ll arrive at the police station shortly.”
After a brief silence, he said, “I’m sorry, but I don’t have any children’s beverages in the car. Would you like some water instead?”
Zenia gave a small nod without making a sound.
Her throat felt parched.
Collin smiled slightly and requested his assistant to pass a water bottle. He checked the temperature of the bottle before loosening the cap.
Looking back at his assistant, Collin asked, “Is there a straw available?”
“Yes,” the assistant responded, promptly producing a straw and passing it to him.
Collin inserted the straw into the bottle and handed it to Zenia.
Zenia tried to grasp it, but her hands were too small to hold it steadily. Observing this, Collin supported the bottle from below, allowing her to sip comfortably.
Suddenly, his assistant, seated in the front, said hesitantly, “Mr. Riley, the meeting is set to start in ten minutes. We’re likely going to be late.”
Without any apparent worry, Collin said, “Reschedule the meeting for thirty minutes later.”
𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓬𝓬 𝗮𝓬𝓬𝓮𝓼𝓼 ⓯𝓻𝗼𝓶 gⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⫷𝖼𝗈𝗺
He seemed unable to fully relax until he had personally ensured Zenia was safe at the police station.
As Collin watched Zenia drink, he noted a resemblance to Linsey in her features.
But then, something about her face tugged at a memory he couldn’t fully grasp. It nagged at him, just out of reach.
For a moment, he considered whether she might look a bit like Gorman, but the idea slipped away before it could settle. The doubt annoyed him. Indeed, Collin had overheard Zenia referring to Gorman as Daddy, confirming his suspicions about her parentage.
He suspected his personal aversion to Gorman was clouding his judgment, making him doubt Zenia’s resemblance to him.
“I don’t need any more water,” Zenia said, pulling Collin from his thoughts.
Acknowledging her, he resealed the water bottle.
With a playful smirk, he joked, “Didn’t you say you shouldn’t accept things from strangers? So why did you take my water?”
Zenia was caught off guard, her cheeks turning a rosy shade.
“Just really thirsty,” she retorted firmly.
Collin gently cautioned her, “It’s important to remember your mom’s advice so she doesn’t worry, right?”
As he reflected, Collin thought about how random their encounter had been today. He grew concerned about who else Zenia might approach so recklessly in the future.
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.
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