Chapter 434: Anna
On the docks of Hope Island, Charles bent over and settled himself into the backseat of the car. Immediately, James slid in next to him. With both of them settled down, the engine hummed to life as it headed for the Governor's Mansion.
Charles stretched lazily and turned to the towering man next to him. "What's the matter? Anything happening on the island that I should know about?"
With a grave expression, James pulled out a piece of paper and handed it over to Charles.
Taking the note, Charles glanced at it and recognized it to be the note he had given to Sparkle. "Did you give her the bananas?"
"Yes. I took her to the banana plantation. The little girl grabbed a bunch and then vanished into thin air."
"That's great, then," Charles commented as he cracked open the window and tossed the note outside.
However, James clearly hadn't boarded the car just to share this trivial update.
"Captain, that little girl claimed to be your daughter. Is that true?" James asked with a serious expression.
As the car sped down the streets, Charles observed the shops of Hope Island flashing by and noticed the island's transformation. With each passing day, the growing population had evolved the island into a bustling city.
"Yes, she is my daughter, Sparkle," Charles answered and let out a light chuckle. "Quite the shocker, right? I was rather startled myself when I first found out."
"And who is the mother?"
Charles couldn't help but let out another chuckle at James' anxious expression. "You must have guessed by now. Yes, she's Anna's and my child."
Charles' answer triggered an immediate reaction from James. His urgency was palpable as he said, "Captain! Why would you do that? You've seen her true form; she's a monster!"
"Enough, this is my personal affairs. I don't wish to discuss this topic over and over. Anna won't harm me," Charles retorted with a hint of annoyance flashing across his countenance.
"But"
"No buts. This is the end of the discussion."
Just before James could reply, a voice sounded from the passenger seat. "Big guy, my man is right. This is his personal business, and as his subordinate, you should stay out of it. Overstepping the line usually doesn't end up well."
Both men turned their heads to the front to see Anna, clad in a short violet dress, seated in the passenger seat.
"Why are you here?" Charles was surprised by Anna's sudden appearance.
"Why? You don't want to see me? Fine, I'll leave right now." Anna feigned a move to stand, only to be gently pushed back into her seat by Charles' outstretched hand.
"I was just speaking without thinking through. Since you came all the way here, spend some time with me, won't you?"
Anna's lips curved upward into a playful smile. Her seductive form stretched out like a serpent as she squeezed through the narrow gap between the front and back seats of the car.
Positioning herself in Charles' lap, Anna wrapped her arms around his neck. With a flirtatious smile, she said, "If it weren't for Sparkle reminding me, I'd almost forgotten that I had something important to tell you."
Charles caught James' visibly uncomfortable expression out of the corner of his eye and released an awkward cough. He gently lifted Anna off him and placed her on the seat beside him.
"Let's talk about it when we get home," Charles said.
"Sure, let's wait for us to reach home. We can find a private spot to have a deep talk. Now doesn't seem too convenient," Anna said and cast an inadvertent glance at James.
James' expression soured further at Anna's words.
"Where's Sparkle?" Charles tried to divert the topic in an attempt to de-escalate the tense atmosphere in the car.
"She's off playing with some islanders. She's not even one year old yet; it's normal for her to like to play at this age."
The two engaged in light conversation as they admired the passing scenery through the car window, instantly reducing James to a third wheel.
As the tires hissed against the asphalt pavement, the car carrying Anna and Charles pulled to a halt outside the Governor's Mansion on Hope Island.
When Charles opened the car door to step out, Anna was practically clinging to him.
"Wait, I need to shower first. I could only shower with seawater on board, and I reek of the ocean."
"It's fine, we can shower together," Anna suggested teasingly as she licked Charles' earlobe.
Still seated inside the car, James' expression was dark, and he watched as the two entered the mansion.
In the largest bathroom of the Governor's Mansion, Charles lay relaxed in a filled white bathtub as he gazed up at the crystal chandelier overhead.
"There's only us now. Tell me what's the matter. I still have to check on the research institute later."
With a forced smile, Anna emerged from beneath the water. "Are you that busy? Can't you rest for a few days first when you've just returned?"
"To me, being on the island is considered resting."
"Gao Zhiming, you aren't cut out for management. Just leave the tasks to those under you."
Charles' hand slithered around Anna's slender waist and pulled her gently into his embrace.
"Just what is it? Tell me quickly, and don't keep me hanging," Charles probed again as he ran his calloused hand softly over her smooth back.
"Have you found any clues to the surface exit?" Anna asked all of a sudden.
A hint of excitement flickered across Charles' face "Yes, we found it. The key to the door has been transported to a distant island. If nothing goes wrong, we just need to find the key to get to the surface."
Anna stared at Charles' face for a long moment before parting her lips. "It just so happens that there's something related to the surface I need to tell you about. You're aware of your daughter's ability, right?"
"Teleportation?" Charles asked, slightly puzzled by Anna's sudden shift in their conversation.
"Yes, previously, on a whim, she decided she wanted to see the surface, so she directly teleported upward."
Immediately, Anna felt all of Charles' muscles tensing up.
With a gentle chuckle, she continued, "Relax. Don't be so tense. She didn't reach our world. She came back just after a short while."
Charles bent down to plant a kiss on Anna's hair. "You came over just for this?"
Anna looked up at Charles, and the smile on her face vanished.
"She had the means to go up, but an aura scared her off. You know our daughter's strength. Think about it: what could it be up there that could frighten her? Surely it can't be just a nuclear bomb, right?"
"What? Sparkle got scared off?" The shock in Charles' voice was evident as his mind raced with possibilities.
The news Anna just delivered raised many questions. If something on the surface could terrify Sparkle, what was the current state of the surface world?
Staring at Charles' furrowed brow, Anna reached out her wet fingers in an attempt to smoothen out the wrinkles but to no success. Then, she let out a sigh and rested her head on his chest. "I know what you're thinking, and I have the same thoughts. The surface might not be the same surface where you came from."
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