Araceli POV
"Buzz..."
The phone in my pocket suddenly vibrated.
I calmed down a little and took out the phone.
It was Raphael calling.
I suddenly snapped back to what crazy thing I was about to do, and the hand holding the gun shook slightly.
I couldn't do that. If I killed Melany, I'd go to jail for sure. What would happen to my children then?
For me, shooting Melany in the head was the fastest way to get revenge, but it was also the stupidest.
I screamed in my heart.
I couldn't do that!
I couldn't let Krish and Valeria be abused because their mother was a murderer!
I hated Melany to death, but I couldn't ruin myself by killing her.
Taking a deep breath and getting into my car, I did a drift, turned the car around and drove back.
Gripping the steering wheel tightly, I pulled out of the block, and slammed on the brakes.
Krish screamed.
"Mommy!"
My body leaned forward uncontrollly.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I covered my eyes to keep them from flowing down.
The phone kept vibrating. With a low growl of impatience, I picked up the phone.
"Ms. Chancey, I've called you many times."
Raphael's low voice came from the phone. He seemed impatient as well, his tone annoyed.
I took a deep breath and said, somewhat choked up, "Mr. Lancaster... Sorry. I was just busy with work stuff."
If it wasn't for Raphael's phone call, maybe I would have killed Melany by now.
I consoled myself by not cursing him over the phone like I had lost my mind.
"Ms. Chancey, how are your children?"
Raphael's cold voice came again.
I said grimly, "Mr. Lancaster, don't beat around bush. Please come straight to the point."
I finished the sentence and coughed twice. Knowing that my voice might now carry a bit of a sobbing tone, I explained, "I'm sorry. There's a tickle in my throat."
Raphael's voice was colder than mine, though. "Are you at work? Do you know where your daughter is right now?"
I frowned slightly. "How would you know where my daughter is?"
"She's in my villa now. You'd better hurry up and get over here."
Just as I was about to ask him, he hung up the phone the next second.
My mind was a jumbled mess, full of disbelief.
Was Valeria at Raphael's? What was going on?
So, Melany didn't kidnap my daughter...
It was all my guess, and I was wrong this time...
I breathed a sigh of relief.
I drove slowly towards Royal Pack's villa.
Krish had just heard my words and probably understood them. He also let out a small sigh of relief and looked out the window.
As night fell, the streets of New York became gorgeous and neon. Skyscrapers stood on the city skyline, emitting a searing light, as if giants were watching over the city at night.
I glanced at the skyscraper in the distance and remembered Raphael's face. He would usually be standing on the top floor of that building, overlooking the city as if he were an emperor.
Crowds of people swarmed, and cars passed by. One by one, yellow cabs on street corners hissed and harshly, carrying people in a hurry to return home. Towering billboards dotted the streets and alleys, their dazzling allure flashing and drawing the eye.
I stepped on the gas. Fifteen minutes later, the car pulled up in front of the Royal Pack's villa.
I got out, took Krish by hand, and politely rang the doorbell.
A man came over and opened the door for us. I squinted slightly and saw that it was Maddox.
He was Raphael's assistant.
I looked through the gap in the door and saw Valeria sitting on the couch.
Raphael was holding a towel and wiping her hair.
Raphael usually looked cold, but he looked so gentle at this time.
Valeria was sitting on his lap, leaning against his chest, as if she was asleep.
I felt a sourness fill my heart.
Krish gently pushed the door open, and Raphael and Valeria looked up at me at the same time.
Raphael sneered, "Ms. Chancey, are you just now finishing your work?"
I ignored him and walked over to Valeria, picking her up. "Valeria, are you okay?"
Valeria blinked her big eyes and looked a little puzzled.
I sighed and stroked Valeria's head. She reached up, wrapped her arms around my neck, and rubbed her face against my chest.
I raised my eyes, looked at Raphael, and whispered, "Mr. Lancaster, thank you for taking care of my daughter. Thank you again, for your time."
Raphael said coldly, "Maybe you should spend more time in the future taking care of your children instead of working."
I bit my lip and nodded.
Raphael continued, "By the way, if you want to come to me, you can always come to me yourself, instead of sending your daughter to create these coincidences."
There was impatience in his voice.
I frowned. An inexplicable anger was boiling in my heart.
"Mr. Lancaster, do you think I deliberately asked my daughter to come to you?"
Raphael got up and headed for the kitchen without saying a word.
"I know countless women who aspire to be your wife, but I'm sorry, and I really have no interest in you." I giggled, "Mr. Lancaster, I hope you know that not all women will fall in love with you. Who do you think you are? By the way, the police may be coming to get your statement later. I called the police immediately after my daughter went missing."
I stared at him undaunted, my eyes sharp as a blade.
Raphael suddenly smiled.
He got up and walked toward me slowly.
He was tall and strong. When he stood up, the light was almost blocked by his body.
I couldn't help but feel a little scared.
I hugged Valeria and took a step back.
Krish also seemed a little uneasy and pulled tightly on my shirt.
Raphael continued to approach until I was leaning against the door.
I could even feel his breath and smell the faint scent of his body.
I couldn't describe what kind of scent it was. It wasn't some kind of floral or woody scent, but a very "clean" smell.
It smelled quite good.
"Look, next time I won't hesitate to throw your daughter out!"
His voice was full of anger and his eyes were full of threat.