Chapter 6: MOLE?

“I’m full,” I said, and Evelyn gently rested her hand on my hair.

“I hope Caspian didn’t disrupt your appetite?” she asked, and I forced a smile. “Definitely not!” I replied.

Evelyn didn’t push further and let me go. As I walked off, the smile on my face darkened. I slammed the door shut and stared around the room. It was a gigantic room, and had a slightly eerie, unsettling feeling, Mia's vibe.

I sucked in a breath and gently took off my shoes. I glanced at the documents on the desk and walked towards it. I should get familiar with everything. Tomorrow, I would go and check out the company.

My hands settled on the first document, a clear rundown of the company’s finances. I flipped through the pages, scanning everything. It looked normal until I saw that. Something felt off.

“A huge transfer of about one billion… and to a shipping company?” I thought and sneered. I checked the name underneath and Dorian appeared.

My eyes darkened.

One billion for what EXACTLY? Since Mia went missing, had he been embezzling funds into his own company or perhaps a fake one? Also the people who actually wanted Mia were surely those who would gain everything, but Dorian… he didn’t seem like much of a suspect.

KNOCK KNOCK

I dropped the document as the knock came. I stared at the door. The serious look I had was replaced with a forced smile. I walked over and opened it softly.

Sloane? What was she doing here this night?

“Hi,” she said softly, but I didn’t reply. My lips stayed glued together as I just stared at her: her eyelids, her lips, everything, searching for any hint of something. I wanted to read her body language, but she gave nothing away.

“Can I come in?” she asked.

I snapped back to reality and my smile widened. 

“Sure!” I said, and she stepped in.

Her eyes scanned the room and then landed on the document still open on the desk.

“So, eager to get back to the company,” she said softly.

I chuckled. “I have to. A lot seems to be going on at the company. Did you know?” I asked, folding my hands under my chest.

"For a second, I suspected you weren’t Mia, but right now I have little doubts. Mia would surely check the company on the first day. So this confirms you… for now,” she said.

“Don’t call me Mia like I’m someone else. I’m standing right in front of you.”

She paused for a second, while I just stared at her, not adding another word.

Sloane was also a billionaire, but she focused more on the entertainment industry. Unlike Mia, she was gentle, but she could also be cold when needed, especially when it came to Cassidy.

“You’re still mad about it, aren’t you?” I asked, changing the subject.

“About what?” she asked.

“That I neglected my own child for years,” I said, stacking the documents, but secretly watching her reaction.

Her lips trembled slightly, and her eyes turned cold. She chuckled lowly. “So you do know. You treated her badly, Mia.”

“That’s in the past,” I replied, and she gritted her teeth.

Of course I knew. Mia was ruthless, not only did she sabotage parties, she slept with multiple socialite men and even bragged about it. She ruined contracts and made wealthy families go bankrupt with a snap of her fingers. Who wouldn’t want her dead? Even I couldn’t stand that woman… and she did worse to her own child. It was a miracle the girl still loved her and still craved her attention. Really, anyone would want to kill Mia. That’s why I had to find her killer, and survive being her.

“I am aware of my past. I’m trying to do it right now,” I said.

Sloane gave me a look that clearly said 'what the hell..' 

“I don’t care whatever show you are putting on for Cassidy, but if you dare hurt her or go back on your words, I will slash you in two. Don’t dare hurt her. She has been without a mum for too long,” she said, then walked to the door.

“Sloane!” I called softly.

She stopped but didn’t turn

“I love my child,” I said.

She scoffed. “Sure you do,” she muttered and opened the door.

“Have you found anything suspicious in the company lately?” I asked directly.

She froze. She didn’t turn. Didn’t speak. For what felt like forever. “Mia! A lot is going on in your company! And how would I know?” she snapped, then left.

A smile curved on my lips. That hesitation… that was my answer. She definitely knew something, but that was for tomorrow!

I collapsed onto the bed, letting the soft cushion hug my stiff body. It’s just been a day here, and I already feel like my life is about to end. Being Mia is stressful and hectic.

My eyes began to droop softly, but then a knock snapped me back to reality.

I stared at the ceiling for a second before blinking.

Was it Vincent? Why didn’t he just come in?

“It’s open,” I said, and the door creaked open,i froze in shock for a second.

Why was she here?

“Cassidy?” I blurted out, sitting up on the bed. “What happened?” I asked as she gently tucked her hair nervously.

“Can I sleep here?” she asked.

I stiffened. “Sure, you’re welcome, love,” I said, and her nervous expression turned into a smile. She rushed toward me and hugged me.

“Thank you, Mum,” she said, and I couldn’t help but smile...a genuine one. After all, a child is surely a blessing.

I pulled away from the hug and held her hands. She was eleven now. I had prepared a gift before coming.

I reached for the drawer and brought out a box. “Open it,” I said, stretching it toward her.

She stared eagerly at it but didn’t take it. Her gaze was fixed on my hand.

“Mom… didn’t you have a mole on your left hand? Where did it go?”