Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

Daniel wore a somber expression as he spoke, "Mrs. Lawson, I don't resent you. I understand your sentiments entirely. Were it my daughter, I would hesitate to see her with an anti-drug officer too." Shelly turned to look at Daniel, sensing in him a man of integrity. If not for his profession, marrying Sienna to him would be like winning the lottery.

"About Felix's medical bills-"

Shelly's words were cut short by Daniel's reassurance. "Mrs. Lawson, it's a small matter. There's no rush for repayment.

"Once Felix wakes up and recovers, he can take his time to repay me when he's financially stable. There's no deadline."

Shelly was moved beyond words. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she clasped his hand gratefully. "Thank you, and thank you on behalf of Felix," she choked out.

Daniel offered a gentle pat on her shoulder, feeling a pang of sadness. To him, matters that money could resolve were insignificant. As long as he could help Sienna, he would do so without hesitation or regret.

After a brief pause, Shelly suggested, "Captain Morrison, if you don't mind, you could become like a brother to Sienna..."

Daniel's expression darkened instantly, cutting her off. "Mrs. Lawson, that's unnecessary. I'm fine with the breakup, but becoming her brother? That's absurd."

Shelly felt a twinge of embarrassment and forced a smile. She felt guilty but had no clue how to make it up to Daniel.

Daniel felt mentally drained. Shelly knew exactly how to twist the knife.

Being a brother to Sienna meant they could still have a connection, but without romance, without crossing boundaries, and without sharing their lives together. He'd even have to witness Sienna's marriage and address her future husband as his brother-in-law. Even if it cost him his life, he couldn't do it.

Standing up, Daniel politely excused himself. "Mr. Lawson, I have some work to attend to. Feel free to call if you need anything."

Shelly replied, "Of course, go ahead."

With a nod of farewell, Daniel walked away.

As Shelly watched him leave, she sighed deeply. If only Daniel would quit his job as an anti-drug officer, that would solve everything. She wondered if he'd be willing tomake that sacrifice for Sienna.

Leaning back in her chair, Shelly sighed once more.

When Sienna learned that Felix's medical bills were taken care of, her first thought was of Daniel. Though Shelly didn't explicitly say it, Sienna knew it was Daniel's doing. When Shelly suggested that Daniel resign so they could be together, Sienna felt a mix of excitement and anger.

mother-daughter relationship, she countered, "Mom, you can't make such unreasonable demands of Daniel. Don't force him to make a decision. Do you

and said, "Captain Morrison is truly a good

contain her emotions. "Of course, he's a good person, but look at me. I come from a

plenty of women

already lucky that Daniel chose me. Do you think

you still want

sacrifice his

selfish?"

Sienna's words held some truth. She couldn't bring herself to make such selfish demands of

moved out of the ICU

hospital with

a cigarette butt in the

sure a man must have taken Esther. Maybe it was a

at it closely. Then, he sadly shook his head. "This brand is found everywhere. It looks like we won't find

cigarette butt in a napkin. "We can check it for

look. "Should we

Wayne to come here, and

muddy because it had just rained. There were

might be the

down to look at the footprints closely. She had learned how to investigate from an experienced police officer abroad. So, she was sure that two tall men,

restroom before taking her to a car by the

couldn't tell if the car had gone east

and said, "He must

Surprised, Pearl asked, "Why?"

city has many lights at night, and the roads are straight with few turns. There

pale thinking about the mountains. "Could it be human

serious. "I think

with human trafficking, they needed to act fast to save Esther. "Richard, go