Fake heiress Real heroine

Chapter 137

Chapter 137

Now that the two groups had combined, the task force had case information and the bureau had knowledge of the border situation. Working together, they quickly identified the target.

“The local tyrants in this area number three. The most likely person involved in human trafficking is Barrow Zieger,” said Marvin, projecting an image of a sturdy, bearded man with a fierce look onto a slide.

“He controls a village with an oasis, making it the wealthiest in the region. However, no one knows the source of his income. We do know that many women appear in the village each year.

“They don’t look or talk like locals but refuse to admit they’ve been kidnapped. This has caused our several undercover operations to fail,” Marvin explained.

The task force also shared its information. “If these people are online loan victims threatened to work here, they might want to hide their identities to protect their families.

“But the village can’t accommodate the large number of women who register online each year. So, some are likely sent to other areas and sold as high–value goods,” said Bennett.

Marvin, touching his chin, says, “The local tyrants‘ protection network is always well–guarded. Direct arrests won’t work.

“With just Quinlyn as bait, at most we could lock up Barrow and a few accomplices, but more Barrows would emerge

tomorrow.

“The best plan is to clarify the connections between Josh, Yolanda, and Barrow, then apprehend all involved in the network.” Bennett nodded. Knowing Quinlyn was safe, they felt relieved and no longer rush into action.

Soon, the radio received another Morse code message: [I’m fine. Goodnight. Sleep early.]

The group was left speechless. It seemed the radio is being used as a chat tool.

Local senior officials looked on with complicated expressions. After years of working with the young informant, this was the first time they’ve heard such a affectionate tone from her.

Sometimes, during calls, when they heard her innocent voice, they’d instinctively tell her to be careful, ask if she was cold in winter, and offer to send clothes and food. But she always refused.

Hearing her now affectionate tone, they felt surprised and a bit wistful.

Marvin couldn’t help but laugh. “Looks like she’s picked up quite a bit of knowledge during her time in the city, at least she now knows all the words.”

she drew pictures, even scribbles, which took him ages

met face–to–face. All he could teach her were a few words here and there and occasionally address some

this now, he was genuinely happy.

*****

turned around and saw the woman from earlier carrying a bucket of clothes, standing at the door and looking

made eye contact, and the woman quickly lowered her head, not daring to speak.

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Chapter 137

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walked over to help lift the

can do it myself,” the woman, whose name was Flora, waved her hand,

usually washed clothes. Flora said it was at a small pond behind, and Quinlyn asked her to

and streets to a small stream at the edge of the oasis.

and I won’t tell anyone. Please let me go. I

about to cry when Quinlyn stopped her.

to help you wash clothes. Quinlyn took out the clothes from the bucket, which belonged to

at this task and soon had

while glancing at Quinlyn with a anxious

until the bucket of clothes was washed, much faster than usual with the help, that a smile appeared on Flora’s face. “Where do

the pond,” Flora

water too?”

couldn’t be happy as she watched the soap bubbles from

water would filter out some

while men could enter the oasis to collect clean water,

born here?”

a carpenter in the village and treats us well.” Flora’s face softened as she spoke

rough, cracked hands as she brushed her hair, and she asked after a moment’s stare, “Have you ever thought about

her hair–brushing,

“Will her father give her water from the oasis? When she grows up, if she’s pretty, can she stay here? Have you

if talking to herself, but each word

won’t let her leave

stop him, can you?” Quinlyn turned to