11. Visit and Test

Lia ran away the moment she knew that her mother was planning to throw a welcome party. She didn't want to be recognized by the kid when she met him as his aunt.

That would blow her cover. Also, she was being cautious. Because she was at home, someday she could slip up and jeopardize this entire operation. She wouldn't want that obviously because she would lose so much money.

Aster was puzzled but he didn't say anything. She was being cautious and you couldn't say no to that.

"Where's your sister?"

Jake looked left and then right. He got up from the sofa and searched the balcony, home office, and finally her bedroom. Lia wasn't there.

"Mom, she's not here."

"I'm really fed up with you kids. You disappear when we unpack and she disappears when we have to host a party."

Seeing his mother mumbling, Jake slowly reached out to eat a cookie on the plate kept aside.

He was about to touch when he was hit with a spatula.

He looked up and found his mother glaring at him.

"It was worth a shot.