Chapter 697:
She found nothing.
Paola stepped forward with quiet confidence. “This draft came from a burst of inspiration during my spring walks, scribbled almost on a whim. Having it chosen by my mother for the competition was an unexpected joy.”
Celia knew Paola’s character well. Years of being lauded as a prodigy weren’t solely due to influence. Without genuine talent, her reputation wouldn’t have endured.
Her doubts soon faded, and Celia smiled. “Of course, I trust Paola. Come over for dinner in a few days—my brother’s back.”
Paola’s eyes sparkled. “I’d love that!”
After Brad and Rylie left the restaurant, he glanced at the rearview mirror. “We’re being followed.”
Rylie replied, “One of Patrick’s lackeys. Head straight to the police station.”
Brad’s brow furrowed slightly. “You want to confirm if that girl was actually taken home by her parents?”
“Yes. Is that an issue?” Rylie shot back.
“I suspect it’s more tangled than that. That girl doesn’t strike me as a student.”
Brad didn’t push back against Rylie. With steady precision, he maneuvered the black sedan onto the road, the streetlights casting fleeting patterns across his face.
Rylie pressed, “What are you getting at?”
Brad explained, “Her hands were rough with calluses, her face marked with sunspots from working outside, and her shoulders were uneven. You rarely see that in students. Those are the signs of someone who’s spent years carrying heavy loads in the fields.”
His car slowed, and he pointed toward a woman walking with a basket balanced on her shoulders. “Like her. That stance only comes from a body trained by labor, hauling weight day after day.”
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He glanced at Rylie. “If she really were a trafficked college student, would her buyer risk letting her work alone, giving her the chance to run?”
When the car rolled to a stop at the police station entrance, Rylie studied the dark doors under the night sky and whispered, “It’s possible the police are in on it. No matter where she goes, she can’t leave this town, so they dare to let her work outside. Malvren itself feels like a nightmare.”
Brad’s face hardened. “I’ve got a team ready to back you up. Don’t worry. Do your job. If anything happens, I’ll stand with you.”
Rylie’s lips curved into a small smile. “Alright.”
She stepped into the station, where only two men sat in the hall.
After she stated her reason for coming, one officer rose and said, “Hold on. This afternoon’s records are on my colleague’s desk.”
Her eyes flicked to his leg, narrowing as she noticed.
He was disabled.
Another officer gave a laugh. “That’s why our town headman is so admired. Even if someone’s disabled, as long as they’re willing to work, he’ll find them a job. He’s a good man.”
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