Dionysus Courtyard was one of the best private restaurants in Hofcaster. Every dish served was exemplary, and the place only accepted the most high-profile clients. Reservations also had to be made at least one month in advance.
Flora had managed to book a table yesterday using her connections.
The restaurant’s interior was exquisite; a screen separated every table, each room’s entrance was made of wood, and the building didn’t have a roof. When night fell, the chandelier above gave off a very antique and quintessential vibe, and one would feel as though they were dining under the moonlight.
The small group made their way into the building and seated themselves at a corner table.
It wasn’t long until the waitstaff arrived with their food.
Worried that the little girl would feel uncomfortable, Amanda gave her all her attention, feeding her and wiping her mouth at every opportunity.
Alvin and Elliot sat next to them. Seeing Selina indulge in the food melted their hearts, and they tried their best to peel as much shrimp as they could for her.
Selina never stopped chewing as she kept her focus on the growing pile of food before her.
“Did you hear what happened? The Franklin family’s princess has gone missing! The family’s scoured the entire city for her, but they still can’t find her.”
Suddenly, a voice could be heard coming from the table next to them.
The next person to speak sounded warier. “She couldn’t have been kidnapped, could she? Whoever’s done it sure has nerves of steel. Who would ever dare lay their hands on her? She’s Miles Franklin’s precious little girl! They must be tired of living.”
Amanda’s movements slowed down visibly at the mention of Miles’ name, and she began to space out.
The conversation resumed anyway. “Right? The little princess might be mute and has never said a single word, but she still gets to live the best life. How lucky of her!”
Mute?
A look of suspicion flashed in Amanda’s eyes as she stopped moving.
Miles’ precious little girl is mute?
This child I picked up hasn’t spoken a word.
Judging from her behavior and clothes, she does look like someone from the Franklins.
And that man over the phone! His voice…
At the thought of this, Amanda suppressed her astonishment as she turned to the child on her left.
Seemingly having noticed her gaze, the girl glanced up at her with eyes full of puzzlement.
As soon as their eyes met, Amanda felt as though she had been struck by lightning.
“This kid… She can’t be Miles’ daughter, could she?”
Flora put down her cutlery and stared at the child for a few seconds. “That’d be too much of a coincidence, wouldn’t it?” she asked hopefully.
As Amanda’s best friend, she knew everything the former had gone through for the past six years.
This girl looks like she’s around five or six, which means she’s about Alvin and Elliot’s age.
If she really were Miles’ daughter, that means he would’ve had a child with that first crush of his right after Amanda divorced him.
That guy just couldn’t wait, huh?
Amanda really deserves someone better than him.
Not knowing what her friend was thinking, Amanda recalled all the events that had ensued after she met this child. The more she thought about it, the more certain she was that the little girl seated next to her was Miles’ daughter.
“I’d say we’ve hit the jackpot this time,” she remarked with a grimace.
Seeing how sure the woman looked, Flora felt her heart sink as she gazed at the confused-looking child. “What should we do, then? Miles’ probably on his way now!” she whispered.
Amanda began to panic.
A brief moment later, she handed her phone to Flora. “Take my phone and act like it’s yours. I’ll get Alvin and Elliot out of here. We’ll be waiting for you at the parking lot.”
Flora nodded in understanding.
Still, seeing the little girl remain perplexed made Amanda’s heart ache. “I’ll leave this little one to you.”
She then turned to her own two children. “Let’s go.”
The two boys followed her obediently without question.
Upon walking past the little girl, Amanda felt a soft tug on her sleeve.
Looking conflicted, she turned to the child, only to see the latter gripping onto her sleeve tightly, looking extremely flustered.
Seeing the girl’s distraught expression really tugged at Amanda’s heartstrings.
Regardless of whatever had happened between her and Miles, she knew this child was never to be blamed.
Eventually, she comforted the little one, “I have to go now. This lady here will take good care of you, so wait right here, okay? Your daddy will be here soon.”
With that, she forced the child’s grip off of her and strode out of the private room, never looking back.
At the same time, Flora hastily instructed the staff to take the three used sets of plates and cutlery away.
Not long after the waitstaff had done as told, the wooden door was pushed open.
A group of bodyguards dressed in black stood in two rows, making a path in between them.
Seeing that, Flora instinctively straightened her back and gazed at the entrance, trying her best to appear calm.
Then, she watched as a frosty-looking Miles made his way into the room.