Chapter 200: Will They Get Together?

Chapter 200: Will They Get Together?

That evening, Diana was organizing documents in her study when Jason knocked and entered.

"Mom, can I talk to you?"

Diana set down her papers. "Of course. Come sit."

Jason settled into the chair across from her, his small face bearing a gravity beyond his years. "Mom, I need to know—are you and him... going to be together?"

Diana hadn't expected this question. After a moment's silence, she asked gently, "Jason, do you want us to be together?"

Jason looked down, fidgeting with his fingers. "Daisy does. She says she wants a complete family. I..." He raised his head, conflict evident in his eyes. "I don't know."

"Tell me what you're really thinking."

"I'm scared," Jason said quietly. "Scared he'll hurt you again. Scared we'll get used to having him around, and then he'll leave."

Diana's heart twisted.

She rose and walked to Jason's side, pulling him into her arms. "Jason, I promise you—no matter what happens, I will never leave you and Daisy."

"I know." Jason nestled against her. "But Mom, I can also see he's really changing. He listens when I talk. He remembers what Daisy and I like. He protects us when we're in danger."

Diana gently stroked his hair.

"Mom," Jason looked up, his eyes bright, "if we gave him a chance, would it make you happy?"

Diana froze.

"I can tell—when he's with us, you smile more than before," Jason said seriously. "Mom, I want you to be happy too."

Diana's tears finally fell.

"Jason, I don't know what the future holds, but I promise I'll give it serious thought."

Jason nodded and climbed out of her embrace. "I'm going to bed now. Goodnight, Mom."

"Goodnight."

At the door, Jason turned back. "Mom, whatever you decide, Daisy and I will support you."

The door closed softly. Diana sat in her chair as silent tears streamed down her face.

 

The peaceful days lasted less than a week before a new crisis struck.

Wednesday afternoon, Diana received an emergency call from the kindergarten. "Ms. Johnson, Daisy was picked up by someone claiming to be her aunt!"

Diana's mind went blank. "What? Daisy's aunt?"

"Yes, she said she was Mr. Windsor's sister and had his authorization to collect the child. We verified the documents she provided—everything looked legitimate."

Diana immediately hung up and called Charles. "Charles, Daisy was taken by someone claiming to be your sister! Where are you?"

His voice turned to ice. "I don't have a sister. Diana, where are you? I'm coming right now!"

Fifteen minutes later, Charles and Diana met at the kindergarten. Jason had been brought over as well, his small face taut with tension.

"Nathan's already pulling the security footage," Charles said, his expression granite. "Whoever this is, if they harm Daisy, they'll regret being born."

Diana trembled all over. Jason gripped her hand tightly. "Mom, don't be scared. Daisy will be okay."

Just then, Charles's phone rang. An unknown number.

"Charles, want to see your daughter?" A woman's voice, edged with manic triumph. "Come to the abandoned factory in the Lustrous District. Alone. If I see cops or bodyguards, you can start planning her funeral."

"Who are you? Where's my daughter?" Charles's voice could freeze blood.

"Who am I? Ha ha ha..." The woman's laughter was unhinged. "I'm the one whose life you destroyed! Charles, you killed my sister, ruined our family—now I'm going to make you feel what it's like to lose someone you love!"

The call disconnected.

Diana grabbed Charles's arm. "Who was that? What does she want?"

Charles's face was unusually grim. "Probably Laura's sister, Emily Smith. I thought she was abroad. I didn't know she'd come back."

"What do we do? Call the police?"

"No. She said if she sees cops, she'll hurt Daisy." Charles took a deep breath. "Diana, you and Jason wait here. I'll bring Daisy back."

"No, I'm coming with you!" Diana insisted.

"Mom, me too!" Jason stood up.

Charles looked at them both, then finally nodded. "All right. But you follow my lead. No rash moves."

 

Inside the abandoned factory, darkness pressed down on them. The air reeked of mildew and machine oil.

Daisy sat bound to a chair, duct tape over her mouth. Her large eyes brimmed with fear, but she didn't cry.

Emily stood beside her, gripping a knife, her gaze wild.

"Charles, you finally came." Seeing Charles enter, Emily sneered. "And you brought backup? Aren't you afraid I'll kill your precious child right now?"

"Emily, let my daughter go." Charles's voice was calm, yet carried a chilling authority. "If you want revenge, take it out on me. The child is innocent."

"Innocent?" Emily shrieked. "Was Laura innocent? She loved you so much, and you got her killed for this woman!"

"Laura's death was ruled an accident by the police," Charles said evenly. "And she was the one who tried to harm Diana first."

"I don't care!" Emily waved the knife wildly. "You rich people always have excuses! Today I'm going to make you feel the pain of losing someone you love!"

She raised the knife and lunged toward Daisy.

"No!" Diana screamed in horror.

In that instant, Jason burst forward—not to block the blade, but to dive for an oil drum at Emily's feet. With all his strength, he shoved it.

The drum toppled. Lubricant oil spilled across the floor. Emily's feet slipped out from under her. She fell hard, the knife flying from her hand.

Charles surged forward, shielding Daisy in his arms while kicking the blade away with one foot.

Diana ran over, tearing the tape from Daisy's mouth and working at the ropes. "Daisy, it's over. Mommy's here."

"Mommy..." Daisy finally burst into tears. "Jason..."

Jason pulled himself up from the floor, his small face smudged with dirt but remarkably calm. "I observed everything. She's alone—no accomplices. There's a back door to the factory. I locked it from the outside when I came in. She can't escape."

Outside, police sirens wailed.

Emily struggled to her feet, still trying to fight back, but the arriving officers subdued her immediately.