2025-08-03 22:37:34
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44Mr. Lawson stepped into the room with the energy of a man who had been holding onto a surprise for far too long. In his hands was a medium-sized, carefully wrapped box with a golden ribbon that glinted under the warm light. His broad smile stretched from ear to ear.“Hey, hey, check it out, check it out!” he announced with a cheerful voice that immediately cut through the lingering tension. “The gift is here!”All eyes turned toward him. Even the mockery and murmurs that had filled the room moments ago fell silent. He walked over to the table and, with deliberate care, set the box down.Aurora’s eyes lit up like Christmas lights. Her small hands clasped together as she let out a squeal of excitement. “My gift!” she cried, rushing forward with the eagerness only a child could have. Her fingers brushed the ribbon, hesitating for just a second as she looked up at her father. Xavier gave her an encouraging nod, and she beamed before starting to undo the ribbon.The others, however, sto
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43Joyce didn’t bother listening to anything Mr. Daniels had to say. His voice dripped with mockery, his words sharp and intentionally cruel, but she didn’t even flinch. Her mind was too occupied with worry about Aurora to entertain his constant digs at her or her husband. Whatever petty insults he was tossing into the air, they meant nothing compared to the pounding in her chest every second her daughter was still missing.When her friend Calista had earlier called about the CEO of the Barrels Cooperative Company, Joyce hadn’t even processed half of it. She had no interest in talk about any man, rich, handsome, or otherwise. Right now, her mind had space for only one person: her daughter.Mr. Daniels, however, didn’t stop. He leaned back in his chair, smirking like a man convinced he’d won an argument that no one else was having. “The only thing your husband can do is sit around and eat money he didn’t earn,” he sneered, voice thick with disdain. “And you should know, Joyce, the day
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42Aurora stepped fully into the spacious warehouse, her eyes wide as they took in the vast room filled with gleaming toys and expensive gadgets neatly arranged on polished shelves. “This place is beautiful,” she whispered to herself, her voice tinged with awe. The soft glow of the overhead lights bounced off the walls, creating a warm, almost magical atmosphere. “I knew my father had a beautiful place. Of course, I’m here to take the gift.”Her gaze caught movement near the far side of the room, a tall, stern-looking man in a sharp suit, busy checking inventory and speaking briskly into his phone. As Aurora approached, the man noticed her and immediately folded his arms, suspicion clouding his face. This was Mr. Lawson, the chief executive manager of the Barrels Cooperative Company.“Excuse me, little girl,” he said, his tone firm and unwelcoming. “This is not a toy store. You need to leave.” He stepped forward, clearly about to usher her out.But Aurora stood her ground, clutching t
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41Everybody was confused. The commotion was so loud and chaotic that no one even noticed when Aurora slipped away. Voices clashed, accusations flew, and tension crackled in the air like static electricity. All eyes turned to Xavier. The blame settled heavily on his shoulders, but especially on Keisha, who didn’t hesitate to lay it all out bluntly.“Xavier is the cause of this mess!” she spat, her voice sharp with bitterness. “His terrible parenting made his daughter run away. She’s probably ashamed, ashamed of him being her father.” Her eyes burned with accusation as they fixed on Xavier.Xavier’s jaw tightened, a flicker of pain crossing his face before he forced himself to speak. “It’s okay. I’ll find Aurora,” he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside. Without waiting for a response, he rushed out the door.Inside, Joyce wasn’t confused. Her heart pounded with panic and fear, her breath hitching as she clasped her hands tightly together. “Oh my goodness, Xavier,” she whi
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40The room’s tension shifted palpably when Mira’s voice cut sharply through the chaos. She was arranging ornaments on the Christmas tree, her hands trembling slightly as she spoke. “You’re pathetic, Xavier,” Mira spat, eyes blazing with contempt. “Look at what you’ve caused. Your daughter is already believing things that aren’t true, all because of your lies, your fake self. Hashtag sad!”Her words struck like a dagger, sharp and cruel. The room seemed to hold its breath for a moment, waiting to see how Xavier would respond.Before Xavier could react, Joyce quickly moved to Mira’s side, her eyes flashing with fury. “Oh please, Mira,” she said, her tone icy but firm. “Your husband is pathetic, not mine. Don’t you ever talk to my husband like that again, okay? If you do, I won’t take it lightly. I could slap you right here.”Joyce laughed, a sharp, almost manic sound that filled the space. “Oh, so you think your husband is the stupidest one here? Please,” she continued, turning toward
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39The room felt heavier now, the air thick with disbelief.Everyone stared at the slip of paper like it was a cursed artifact. The receipt of purchase, Barrols Cooperative Company’s own letterhead, a $35,000 payment, and the exact details of a classified warehouse, wasn’t just suspicious, it was impossible.Keisha was the first to break the silence, her voice sharp and quivering. “That’s impossible,” she said, her eyes darting between Xavier and the paper as though trying to see where the trick was. “He doesn’t even have that kind of money. He doesn’t even have thirty-five thousand dollars! That… that toy is worth thirty thousand, how could he pay for it?!” Her face twisted in a mix of shock and scorn. “It’s impossible for this to happen!”Philip, still holding the paper in a tense grip, turned on Xavier, his face a storm of rage and confusion. “You animal,” he spat, stepping closer. “No wonder, you’re a fraudster! How did you know the top-secret information from our company? Do you
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