Chapter 90
Seraphina shol Yasmina a small grin ready to jet, but then she remembered something “Where’s Valerio?”
‘asmina pointed towards the lounge, and Seraphina headed that way
leen was just stumbling out as they crossed paths, and Seraphina strode straight in
‘asmina caught sight of Keen and couldn’t msist showing off her wristwatch Mr Reynolds always on the dat, never an exception”
Just get in there, Keen grumbled not even glancing at the lounge
asmina knocked and went in to find Leandro just settling down behind his desk. She was about to take her usual spot behind him to take meeting notes when Leandro waved her off “Sit opposite me”
‘asmina hesitated, then sat down with her laptop, sneaking glances at Leandro but unable to spot any difference from his usual self.
The video call bell chimed again, and Leandro picked up, quickly exchanging hellos with the person on the other end
lut Yasmina was lost in thoughts Seraphina had left, so what was she missing across the desk?
Meanwhile, Seraphina met an expectant Valerio in the lounge and gave him an apologetic shrug. “Your dad’s just too busy, I didn’t get a chance to ask him. But I promise ou, even if he doesn’t spill the beans, I’ll help you find out who your mom really is.”
‘alerio looked at her, clearly disappointed but full of hope.
Seraphina extended her pinkie. “Let’s pinkie swear.”
falerio stared at her pinkie for a while, then finally reciprocated
ifter leaving the Reynolds Group, Seraphina headed straight home.
Terrell had sent her the decoded chip data, and she dove right into it as soon as she was home.
She turned the screen brightness all the way up, analyzing the surveillance footage frame by frame.
She must’ve watched the three–minute video dozens of times.
The information Leandro provided provided a new lead. If she could spot Balch in the surveillance, even a hint would do
Staring at the screen for so long made her eyes water, and she finally leaned back.
Through the tears, she thought she saw Balch’s face.
Just then, the doorbell rang
Seraphina snapped out of it, quickly shutting her laptop, wiping her tears, and answering the door.
Balch was there, takeaway bags in hand. He had been smiling, but his face fell when he saw Seraphina. “What’s up?”
Seraphina rubbed her red eyes and laughed it off “Nothing. I just got something in my eye.”
Balch came in, put the bags on the table, and turned to her “That’s a lame excuse, don’t you think?
Seraphina laughed, then sighed. “I’m actually pretty tough inside”
Balch leaned against the table, nodded, and waited for her to continue.
“But,” Seraphina paused, then added, “there are some topics we cant discuss.”
Balch glanced at her laptop, then pulled her closer “Tell me,”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Seraphina answered flatly
Balch was silent for a while, then said, “Alright. We can talk when you’re ready. I’ve got your favorite snacks, let’s eat”
“You’re not going to pry Seraphina looked at him “What’s the harm in asking a few more times?”
Balch gently touched her hair and smiled “I told you. I’m willing to give you time. We have plenty of time”
Seraphina looked at him for a while, then suddenly hugged him.
Balch took a sharp intake of breath.
“What’s wrong?” Seraphina quickly let go. “Are you in pain again? I thought you were healed?”
Balch didn’t answer. Seraphina yanked open his jacket and shirt to check on his wound and found it freshly bandaged.
“What happened? Seraphina asked “Did the wound split open again?”
Balch just held her hand tightly and smiled. “Don’t worry, you’re very light, there’s no need to lose weight”
“Did it split open why you carried me this morning?” Seraphina looked at him. “No wonder you walked away when the doctor was treating me. Were you checking your
wound?”
“It’s nothing just a minor tear, Balch said. “Compared to your injuries, it’s nothing Let’s eat before it gets cold”
Seraphina doni move After a while, she said. “Mr Lawson, are you spailing me too much?”
Balch laughed. “That way you’ll remember how good I am to you, right?”
Seeing his smile, Seraphina finally laughed
After they ate. Balch had to leave to take care of business. Before he left, he asked Seraphina, “I have a TV interview tomorrow morning. Want to come with me?”
“In the morning?” Seraphina thought for a while. “Call me if I pick up, I’ll go ”
Balch didn’t push her “Okay get some rest
Seraphina nodded and watched him get into the elevator before closing the door and locking it
Back at the couch, Seraphina reopened her laptop, pulled up the surveillance footage, zoomed in, then zoomed in more
When the saw what was in the image, Seraphina’s expression turned solemn.
The next morning. Balch left the hotel for his TV interview
This whole ordeal had made a huge splash, and the Lawson Group took a pretty big hit Their PR department had been pulling out all the stops, hoping to salvage the Lawson Group’s reputation and losses, and this interview was just step one
Balch had tried to call Seraphina from the hotel, but nobody picked up.
Once in the car, Balch dialed Seraphina’s number for the second time, but still no answer
“Head straight for the TV station,” Balch told the driver
The show’s crew had already touched base with him. Although it was a financial talk show, the Fidelia incident was going to be a hot topic. So, when Balch arrived at the TV station, they started rolling without a hitch.
First, the female host and Balch chewed the fat over the current economic situation and then moved on to the future plans of the Lawson Group. Just as they were about to pivot to the Fidelia incident, the vibe in the studio took a weird turn.
People started checking their phones, stealing glances at Balch under the lights with puzzled looks.
Balch furrowed his brows, just about to say something, when his two assistants burst in, “Cut the cameras, power down now! Mr. Lawson, we’ve got to bouncel”
Before they could even finish their sentences, all hell broke loose in the studio.
