"We received a tip from a gas station clerk about a man who matched Gerald's description," Police detective Andrew Sweeney said. He is the detective in charge of Audre's case. He had called Ansel the following day with an update. Ansel headed to the police station right away alongside Connor, who insisted on coming with him. Ansel straightened his back against the chair, his eyes fully alert. "What did he say?" "Well, she said that the guy who matched Gerald's description was getting gas, and he was driving a white SUV. He appeared to be in a rush when paying in cash at the register. We looked at the CCTV and confirmed it was him. The clerk said he headed east," Det. Sweeney said. "What happens now?" Connor asked. "We blocked the roadway further down east and they will stop and check any vehicles that are white SUVs or anyone that looked suspicious. Although, let me tell you this. If Gerald was smart, he would change his car

Elisa looked at the address and frowned. It was only half an hour away from Ansel's house. To think Audre was so close made her want to scream and cry. And now, she was about to walk right into Lion's den and present herself to Michael like some sort of sacrifice. But if it meant she'd get the chance to see her daughter and possibly rescue her from a terrible fate, so be it. She would die for that little girl. But what about Ansel? Elisa felt like she was deceiving him by sneaking away without telling anyone. And that was the last thing she wanted to do, not after all that he was doing for the child that wasn't even his. She wrote a quick note and placed it on top of the pillow. She didn't write down the address as Michael instructed, but she put his name down. That way, if something happened to her, Ansel would know who to blame. She sneaked out through the back door without anyone noticing. Good thing Ansel told her the code to the alarm system, she thought

Ansel was instructed to meet someone inside a busy café. That surprised him as he didn't expect to do this type of business amongst a crowd. What if someone hears them and calls the police? But he didn't have time to ponder. He needed to get to Audre as fast as he could. Ansel looked around the café to find the guy that matched the description provided in the email. He spotted him at the last booth against the wall. He was wearing a red shirt and black jeans. "The weather is perfect, isn't it?" Ansel repeated the quote sent in email he had to use as some kind of code. The man looked up and stared at the two men behind Ansel. His eyes turned dark. He must be suspicious of me, Ansel thought. "Don't worry about these guys. They are my bodyguards. I don't feel safe without them. Being a billionaire comes with risks," Ansel said. The man nodded and motioned him to sit down. "I am Nick. You will park your car in the parking lot behind the restaurant

Ansel was momentarily confused about Michael's desire to help him, but he didn't want to waste his time thinking about it. He looked at Elisa and proceeded to walk toward them, but someone grabbed him from behind before he could move forward. Oh, for fucks sake, give me a break! Ansel thought and tried to fight off the person who had his arms around his neck, choking him. Malachi managed to turn around and punch Michael off him, then kicked Michael on his ribs. "You just destroyed the good business relationship we had going, and for some puny little girl? Why? What's so special about her, hmm? Are you fucking his mother or what?" he barked. "That's my daughter, you asshole! You can't take her," Michael snarled. He was holding his sides like he was in pain, but he tried to stay standing up anyway. Ansel's eyes turned wide. What the hell is he saying? Audre was Gerald's daughter, wasn't she? He wiggled out of the man's chokehold and elbowed him

"You are pregnant. With a baby?" Ansel said and stared at her blankly.    Elisa rolled her eyes. "Yes, Ansel. With a baby. What else would I be pregnant with? Puppies?"  "That's great...um...well...who is the father?" he asked awkwardly.  Elisa glared at him. "For fuck's sake, did you just ask me that?" she cursed, forgetting they were still in the car with Audre. Ansel gasped and covered Audre's ears who was sleeping peacefully on his lap. "Shh...you're going to wake her up." He carefully placed her on the spot  next to him and then covered her with his jacket. He looked at Elisa afterwards. "Elisa, I..." he stopped talking as he realized she was crying. He pulled her to his chest and stroked her hair. "I'm sorry, babygirl. That was a bad jo