Chapter 91: Chapter 91 Unexpected Reunion
Author
Unfortunately for Alpha Dominic’s warnings, Orion didn’t listen at all.
After school, instead of going straight home, he had his driver take him to the building where Elara worked.
But today, he wasn’t waiting for Elara. He was waiting for the woman who looked like his mother.
At around four o’clock, Nancy finished up her work and decided to stop by the bank before heading home.
"Follow that lady!" Orion pointed excitedly from the back seat.
The driver glanced in the rearview mirror, his face creased with worry. "Orion, it’s getting late. We should head home. Your grandfather will have my head if anything happens to you."
"Come on, please! If you don’t, I’ll get out and follow her myself," Orion threatened.
Knowing the stubborn pup would actually do it, the driver gave up with a heavy sigh. He pulled into traffic and followed the white car ahead. "This is a bad idea, Orion," he muttered under his breath.
Nancy had no idea she was being followed. She hummed softly to herself as she spent half an hour dealing with paperwork at the bank.
As she walked back to her car, a small figure suddenly crashed into her legs.
Surprised, she looked down. Recognition dawned immediately. "Orion?"
"Aunt Nancy!" Orion’s voice was bright and clear.
Nancy crouched down to his level. "What are you doing here? Where’s your family?"
The question was exactly what Orion had been hoping for. Playing up his innocent act, he looked as pitiful as possible. "Aunt Nancy, could you take me home? Or maybe call my dad to come get me?"
Nancy checked her watch. Her dinner date wasn’t for another two hours. She could spare some time.
She smiled warmly. "Sure thing. Let’s grab something to eat while we wait."
The nearby McDonald’s seemed like the perfect spot for a kid.
Orion nodded happily. "Yes!"
After they ordered and found a booth, Nancy asked, "Do you remember your dad’s phone number?"
"Of course!" Orion said confidently, rattling off "555-0147"
Nancy dialed the number. A deep, authoritative voice answered. "Yardley Wolfe."
"Hello, is this Orion’s father? Your son seems to have gotten separated from his group and is with me now. We’re at the McDonald’s on Fifth Street. Can you come pick him up?"
There was dead silence on the other end. After what felt like forever, Yardley replied carefully, "I’ll be right there. Thank you so much. What’s your name?"
"I’m Nancy."
The name hit Yardley like a physical blow, but he kept his voice steady. "I’ll be there in ten minutes."
After hanging up, Orion fidgeted nervously. "What did my dad say?"
Nancy could sense the little boy’s anxiety about his father. She ruffled his hair gently. "Don’t worry, he sounded relieved, not angry. Here, dig into those fries. Want some ketchup?"
Orion quickly shook his head. "No thanks! I don’t like any sauce on my fries."
Nancy paused mid-bite. That was odd. Most kids drowned their fries in ketchup. She’d never met another person who ate them plain like she did.
Meanwhile, across town, Yardley shot up from his desk and grabbed his jacket. His assistant looked confused. "Boss, the city planning committee will be here any minute."
"Reschedule it. My son needs me." Yardley was already heading for the door.
That voice on the phone had stirred something deep in his memory, but he pushed the thought away.
He called the driver immediately and confirmed his worst fear - Orion had indeed gone missing.
Twenty minutes later, he pushed through the McDonald’s entrance, his eyes scanning the crowded restaurant until he spotted his son’s familiar messy hair near the play area.
He started toward them, then froze completely.
The woman sitting across from his son had shoulder-length brown hair and a face that had haunted his dreams for three years.
Yardley’s heart hammered against his ribs as he forced himself to move closer.
He heard the woman’s gentle voice: "Orion, that’s enough now. Too many fries will make you sick tonight."
The maternal tone in her voice made his chest tighten.
Nancy felt the weight of someone’s stare and looked up. Her brown eyes met his blue ones directly.
For a split second, something flickered in her expression - confusion, maybe recognition - then she smiled politely. "Hello, are you Mr. Wolfe?"
Yardley’s face went blank.
[What had she just called him?
Mr. Wolfe?]
