Chapter 909:
Rylie nodded, understanding the corner he was in. After a moment, she said, “Then let me lend a hand. I’ve taken quite an interest in Shaba myself. As one of the main investors, I can use that as an excuse for you to bring me back to the resort. That should give you enough time to be with your daughter when she says goodbye.”
Samson’s eyes brightened at once, the strain in his expression easing. “You’d really give up part of your trip just so I can take a few hours off?”
Rylie offered a faint, knowing smile. “Yes. But would it be alright if I came to your home as well? I’d like to record the farewell and share it online. It could make a heartfelt story to raise awareness for wildlife conservation.”
Samson’s face lit with genuine relief, his voice carrying a warmth that hadn’t been there moments ago. “That would be incredible. Thank you so much. Maybe having a visitor around will lift Ella’s spirits too.”
Rylie let out a light laugh. “Of course. I’ll bring her a little something too.”
Samson waved it off, smiling with mild embarrassment. “There’s really no need for that. All I ask is that you try to lift Ella’s spirits if she’s upset. I’ve never been good with comforting words, but I can tell you’re far better at that than I am.”
Rylie inclined her head, her tone confident yet warm. “Consider it done.”
When their conversation wrapped up, she discreetly reached out to Storm, who was stationed near the farm, and instructed him to keep a close watch on the lion’s activity. She planned to meet with him the next day once the arrangements were finalized.
A moment later, a message from Storm appeared on her screen. “Boss, I just learned there’s a suspicious group hanging around nearby. Also, a team from Marinth seems to be lying low in the area.”
Rylie typed back without hesitation. “Don’t worry about them. They’re Deandre’s men. They followed me here. They’re guarding him because of a girl.”
Storm’s response came quickly. “Understood.”
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Storm sent no further messages, yet unease clung to him. The number of guards shadowing the godfather struck him as excessive. Every man he’d seen belonged to the Costa Syndicate’s elite ranks—specialists rarely dispatched unless a situation demanded absolute precision. Sending operatives like that to protect a godfather and a single woman felt excessive, almost absurd.
After notifying the Sweetberry staff of her plans, Rylie departed early the next morning, joining Samson for the drive to his home.
With nearly an hour still left before they arrived, Rylie’s phone buzzed with another message from Storm.
The staff from the Klein Private Reserve had shown up ahead of schedule. They were already working to guide Shaba into a transport cage, but Ella’s cries filled the air. The little girl was inconsolable, her wailing growing louder with each attempt, and her distress only agitated the lion further, making it pace and snarl within the enclosure.
Eventually, Ella’s mother, unable to calm her down, locked her in her room to keep her from running out again.
Storm had planned to keep an eye on the situation, but a knock at the door interrupted him. The elderly homeowner stood outside holding a breakfast tray, still believing he was an artist temporarily renting the cottage. Storm offered a polite smile and thanked him.
Unaware that behind him, the window to the children’s room had been left quietly open, the curtains fluttered in the morning breeze.
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