?Chapter 198:


    “I’m quite familiar with the rules. Now, tell me—who directed you to do this?”


    Jarrod gulped, his eyes greedily darting to the card, then forcefully reined in his desires.


    “I’m not sure who she was. A woman approached me, handed me some money, and instructed me to keep an eye out at that ce. All she wanted was photographs of you and By together,” Jarrod exined.


    “A woman?” Sadie furrowed her brows, deep in thought.


    She was surprised. How could Jarrod have predicted she would receive a gift from By at that precise moment? Was the gift from By part of a setup too?


    Questions flooded Sadie’s mind.


    What she had dismissed as a mere misunderstanding now appeared to be aplex scheme.


    Noticing Sadie’s silence, Jarrod misinterpreted it as intimidation and became more audacious.


    “Miss Hudson, I implore you to forgive me just this once. I was only trying to earn some money.”


    Sadie’s response was firm and dismissive.


    “Leave now.”


    Jarrod snatched up the card and quickly exited.


    “What’s our next move, Miss Hudson?” Pierre inquired with concern.


    Sadie averted her eyes, her decision made.


    “I need to see By.”


    Pierre nodded, silently agreeing, and followed Sadie out.


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    Once in her car, Sadie attempted to contact By.


    The phone emitted a series of beeps.


    It rang persistently, yet there was no answer.


    Sadie’s expression showed her frustration as her brows drew together, a feeling of disquiet settling over her.


    She tried calling several more times, each attempt meeting with the same recorded message.


    “Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavable.”


    Unavable?


    A cold shiver ran through Sadie’s heart.


    It appeared she was already toote.


    Turning to her assistant, shemanded, “Pierre, track down By immediately. We need to act quickly.”


    “Right away, Miss Hudson,” Pierre responded, then hurried off.


    Sadie put her phone back into her purse.


    She had notified Averi’s kindergarten teacher earlier that she might bete today.


    Upon arriving, Sadie found Averi alone, quietly ying with some building blocks, his expression a bit somber.


    His outfit consisted of a light blue T-shirt and khaki shorts, which made him look particrly cute.


    A slight heaviness weighed on Sadie’s heart.


    Typically, Averi was vibrant and joyful, rarely subdued. She approached swiftly, knelt beside him, and softly inquired, “What’s the matter, Averi?”


    Raising his tear-filled eyes to hers, Averi murmured, “Mom, the other kids… they said I don’t have a dad…”


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