THE HEIR'S REVENGE

Chapter 17

“Lily has been crying since it happened.”

My hands were shaking and my chest seemed heavy. It seemed like a burning iron was being passed through my chest.

The most painful part was that someone had attempted to kidnap her even with the Nanny there. Someone knew her name. Someone knew Park's name, even the driver's parking location. It was just too much information.

Was it Curtis? Again?

I had thought that we had an agreement.

I didn't want to believe it but those questions he asked. They were all too suspicious to let go.

"Lily." I shifted her gently so I could see her face. She resisted for a while but then allowed it. Her face was red and wet and her eyes were very dark. "Look at me."

She looked at me.

“Listen to me Lily. You are fine now. Do you understand me? You are safe now.”

She nodded, then grabbed me.” That strange woman grabbed me and I didn't even know who she was.”

“I know.”

“She said she was my aunt. Is that true? I don't have an aunt. She's not my aunt.”

“I agree. She lied. Don't listen to strangers like that.”

“Butehu didn't she have to lie? Am I a bad girl?”

I looked into her eyes. Lily had already seen so much loss and now, she had a stranger try to grab her, someone she didn't know.

“No you aren't a bad girl. You just have to understand that some people are just bad people.” I said. “They lie because they want something in return. But she's gone. And Marcus was there, and the security men were there, and Mrs. Park was there."

"I screamed," Lily said.

"Yes."

"Mrs. Park said I screamed loudly."

"She told me."

“It was a very loud scream.” She sounded proud.

"That was exactly the right thing to do." I said.

She seemed to consider this for a while and hid the little smile forcing its way to her face.

I glanced at Henry, he had the calmest look which meant that he was very angry.

After Lily had calmed down, I spoke to the police for twenty minutes. I quietly gave them the description that Mrs. Park had given to me. I confirmed that I was Lily's guardian and answered every question they had for me.

The officers said that they were reviewing footage from the camera that was mounted on the pharmacy along the street.

After the Police left, Henry and I stood near the car while Ms. Park stayed in the car with Lily.

“What do we know?” I asked him.

“First the woman wasn't a staff member of the school, the administrator confirmed they never heard from her.” Henry paused. "She knew Lily's name, your name, Mrs. Park's name, and the collection time. That information is not publicly available."

"Curtis," I said.

“The questions he asked you seemed to be what they needed to carry out this operation.” Henry agreed. "But he did confirm that he didn't provide specific information about Lily's schedule so what happened? This really meant that he got the information from somewhere else.”

“They watched the school?”

It felt terribly uncomfortable to find out that strangers were watching Lily for days.

“I think so too. This requires a high level of planning.”

I looked at the school gate, at the school in general, the bench where Ms. Park sat.

"We need to make a strong security arrangement for her today." I said. "Not tomorrow. Not after a review. Today."

"I anticipated that," Henry said. "I've already been in contact with the firm. Two dedicated agents for Lily, rotating shifts, on-site for school pickup and drop-off and present in the house during all hours when she's not with you directly. A third agent is on standby for travel." He glanced at me.

I nodded. That was quick.

“I'd also love to visit the school myself. I'll check in on the gate procedures. No one is permitted to approach children during their collection time.”

I knew Henry forest for a month but he had proved to be a man I could totally trust. All my life, I'd never seen anyone as competent as he was.

He didn't need me to tell him about security. I had already turned it once and he was already in action.

“Good.” I nodded.

“We might need to reconsider her admission at St. Clare.”

I didn't think that was a good idea. I remembered how Lily and Mia walked out of the school together, their arms bumping into each other. How they discussed rabbits.

“I don't want her to move. She just made new friends. The Strategy is to make the environment totally safe for her.”

Henry nodded. Of course, he had expected that answer from me. He had asked a question rather than made a suggestion.

“Wben are you starting the investigation?” I asked him.

“I've started. I think they hired someone.”

I nodded. I thought so too.

“The woman who approached the gate was very composed, like she was reading a script.”

“So she was paid to do this?” I asked, thinking about it. I still wasn't sure how they hired a woman to try to kidnap a child.”

They hired someone who would be useful to me. I need to act fast. Whoever was giving these people instructions was out for me.

"I want daily updates," I said.

"Of course."

"And Henry." I looked at him directly. "Whatever it takes. Whatever resources. No ceiling."

He held my gaze. "Understood, young master."

When we were on our way home. Lily fell asleep in the car. She had stopped crying when we left school and was quiet most of the time.

She held onto her rabbit like it was everything to her.

When I looked down at her sleeping face, I saw dark circles which shouldn't be for a five-year-old. I was angry at myself.

I knew this wasn't my fault but I honestly felt like I should have done better. I should have arranged securities for her at first. I should have just done something.

She had specifically told me how loud she screamed. I just hoped that she wouldn't be too affected by the whole situation in the future

I wanted Lily to have the most normal life anyone would. I didn't want her suffering like I did when I was younger.

I was willing to do anything to protect her and make her happy.