Chapter 1003
He’d been handed a top-priority mission. An anonymous tipster had sounded the alarm about crimes at the Crest Summit Hotel, where an employee named Elliott and an outsider by the name of Bruce were in cahoots and preyed on numerous women.
The whistleblower pleaded for press exposure to reveal the truth behind the hotel’s facade.
Callum went on investigation last night in the disguise of a random hotel guest.
It was no easy task to gather evidence, as he didn’t catch at the time of an incident.
By sheer chance, he stumbled upon Bruce abducting Thalassa into a room. Callum hastily secured a spare room card from the front desk and prepared to burst in and rescue Thalassa. But only Elliott was there. Bruce had fled.
Yesterday, his search had been fruitless at first until he confronted Thalassa and the kidnappers. But broadcasting Thalassa’s ordeal would tarnish her reputation; it couldn’t be made public.
So, he cleverly coaxed incriminating words from the hotel owner and got them on tape. This was the best evidence.
Thalassa’s eyes flickered with recognition. She had overheard Elliott and Bruce during the handoff. Clearly, they were behind the victimization of many women.
Callum’s account matched the conversation between Elliott and Bruce she had witnessed. Thalassa trusted in Callum, and she grew to respect his role as a journalist championing social justice.
His dedication to expose these vile entrepreneurs would prevent future innocents from harm.
Such integrity and kindness demanded absolute respect.
“Thank you.” Thalassa said sincerely, “Not just for me, but for all those other women who remain strangers to us.’”
Callum’s lips curled into a smile. “Let’s get some grub. A full belly fuels the fight for what’s right.”
With that, he stood up and walked away.
Thalassa’s doubts about Callum dissipated and was replaced with trust. He was a friend of Leopold, so he wouldn’t cause her any harm. Moreover, his commitment to aiding the distressed spoke volumes of his character.
After finishing her food, Thalassa made her way to the daycare center.
10:24
5
Only minutes remained before the children would be released.
She waited at the entrance, each minute stretching out endlessly in her anticipation. She longed to see Atticus and to have him erase whatever Bruce held over them. Time crawled by until, finally, the daycare gate opened.
The toddlers trotted out first, each greeted by their parents. Thalassa watched as they were picked up, and then it was time for the preschoolers.
From a distance, she spotted her four darlings. Their hands linked like train carriages.
The sight of her little ones brought a genuine smile to her worried face.
She stood at the front of the line, ready to embrace her children.
The teacher, recognizing Thalassa from a previous pick-up accompanied by Fitch, called out the names of Atticus, Dorian, Elowen, and Sophia, and entrusted them to her care.
“Mommy, I brought my laptop!” Atticus bounded towards her, his little legs struggling to keep up with his eagerness.
He had spent the entire day fixated on helping his mom.
Thalassa, equally anxious, had waited all this time just for this moment – to have Atticus erase the incriminating footage from Bruce’s phone and computer.
She took Atticus’ hand and said, “Let’s go to the park, kids.
The children cheered and followed her lead.
Suddenly, a sleek, imposing black car rolled up ahead.
Thalassa caught sight of the vehicle and her steps ground to a halt.
10:24