Chapter 117: Missing Documents 

Slowly, Anya began to lose herself in the act of choosing clothes, her worries and fears melting away as she lost herself in the simple pleasure of selecting the perfect outfit. 

And as she looked at the rows of fabric and designs, Anya realized that money really is the source of happiness. Women really liked to shop. And she was definitely a woman. 

money really le 

With Daniel’s help, Anya began to see that happiness could be bought. Who was she but a normal woman? How could she resist all these? Even though she kept her expression measured, she was really losing herself in the shopping experience. 

As Anya immersed herself in the task of picking out clothes, Daniel’s phone suddenly rang, interrupting the quiet of the room. 

With a frown on his brow, Daniel glanced down at the caller ID and saw that it was his mother calling. 

He hesitated for a moment, surprised by the unexpected call. Did something happen at home? Did grandfather beat Justin? He had a lot of questions. 

“Hello, mom,” Daniel said, with a tired voice. “Is something the matter?” 

His mother’s voice came through the phone: “Do I need a reason to call you? I wanted to know 

if I could come visit.” she asked. Daniel’s shock could not be put into words. 

“You are asking for permission?” he asked incredulously. 

“You have a woman now. I can’t just be barging in, can I? 

a wo 

Chapter 117 Milding Documents. 

Daniel’s mind raced as he tried to process his mother’s words. He couldn’t believe that she was. actually respecting his space and that she was actually asking for permission before coming 

over. 

“Well, it may not be a good time,” he answered, and his mother’s voice broke through his thoughts once more. 

“Of course it is not a good time. You are afraid I will find out you have Anya trapped at home, right?” his mother asked, her tone laced with anger. “Daniel! Are you trying to suffocate her?” 

Daniel sighed heavily, his frustration bubbling to the surface as he struggled to find the right 

words. 

“I am not. I am just being cautious,” Daniel admitted, his voice tight with emotion. 

“She’s hurt, and she 

ouldn’t be moving around. But she can’t seem to stay still.” 

hat are you doing 

“So, about it, locking her in?” she asked. 

“Mom, she is in danger outside,” he answered, and she went silent for a while. 

“You can’t lock her in, Daniel,” his mother scolded, her voice stern with disapproval. “How did I raise such a clueless son?! 

Daniel felt a surge of defensiveness rise within him; he could tell Anya was pulling away from him, and this bothered him. 

“What else am I supposed to do?” Daniel argued, his voice rising with anger. “I can’t just let her wander around and hurt herself. Especially when it is not safe outside!” 

It was as though he wanted someone to shout at 

His mother cleared her throat, her tone softening slightly as she tried to reason with him. 

“If you’re so worried about her hurting herself outside, then take her with you when you go out get her bodyguards. Your obsessive brother has maids and guards flanking his wife, you would have thought she was a princess from the Joseon era. There are many ways to deal with this,” his mother suggested, her voice gentle but firm. “You can’t just confine her to the house like that. It’s not fair to her.” 

Daniel felt a tug of guilt tug at his intestines. He knew she was right. But it was hard for him to admit that he was scared. He was scared that if he looked away for a second, she would be 

taken from him. 

But he couldn’t keep Anya locked away like some prisoner, no matter how much he wanted to protect her. He could tell that she was getting frustrated, and this could lead to her sneaking out alone. Something he feared even more. 

“Okay,” he said, I will think of another way. 

“Good. Find time to bring her over instead of letting her stay alone in that house,” his mother 

said. 

“Okay, mom,” he answered. With a heavy sigh, Daniel ended the call and turned to Anya, who was still engrossed in choosing her clothes. 

In a small town called Appletown, the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the living room of Shaina’s small home. This was the home her late husband left her. It was close to the orchard, so she came by a lot to rest. 

She sat on the couch, absently flipping through a magazine, her mind wandering to her daughters–one she’d raised and one she’d given up long ago. She had asked a detective to find out Anya’s home. She had still been waiting for a reply. The wait was irritating her, she knew that finding out where the Shaw family lived was hard, so she could only wait. 

but 

The quiet was shattered by the sudden slam of the front door. 

Shaina’s head snapped up, her heart racing as her daughter Hazel burst into the room, chest heaving, eyes wild with panic. 

“Mom!” Hazel gasped, leaning against the doorframe. “I’m in trouble. Big trouble.” 

Shaina was on her feet in an instant, crossing the room to her daughter’s side. “Hazel, what’s wrong? What happened?” She guided the young woman to the couch, noting the tremor in Hazel’s hands. 

Hazel took a deep breath, her words tumbling out in a rush. “Remember a few nights ago. when I told you I was working late? I lied. I saved a man’s life that night.” 

Shaina’s brow furrowed in confusion. “You saved someone? But how is that trouble?” 

“I found him bleeding in an alley. I called an ambulance and stayed with him until they arrived,” Hazel explained, her voice dropping to a whisper. “He woke up yesterday.” 

“I still don’t understand,” Shaina said, squeezing her daughter’s hand. “Saving someone’s life is a good thing, isn’t it?” 

Hazel shakes her head vehemently. “No, Mom, you don’t get it. This guy had armed guards at the hospital. When he woke up, he had me brought to him. He wouldn’t let me leave. I’ve been watched for days, and I only just managed to slip away and come home.” 

A chill ran down Shaina’s spine. “Armed guards? Hazel, who is this man?” 

“I don’t know for sure, but…” Hazel swallowed hard. “I think he’s in the Mafia.” 

> Chagy (11) Masing tin uments 

The word hung in the air between them, heavy with implications. Shaina stood abruptly, pacing the length of the living room, her mind racing 

“The Mafia? Are you certain?” She asked, her voice tight with worry. 

Hazel nodded. “Pretty sure. He kept talking about ‘family business‘ and ‘rivals.’ And the way everyone around him acted… it was like they were terrified of him.” 

Shaina ran her hands through her hair, her thoughts a whirlwind of fear and half–formed plans. “Did he threaten you? What exactly did he say?” 

“That’s the weird part,” Hazel said, frowning. “He kept saying I was in danger, but he wouldn’t say from what. He acted like he was protecting me by keeping me there, but I don’t understand why.” 

Suddenly, Shaina froze. An idea struck her–a desperate gamble that might be their only chance. Without a word, she turned and rushed out of the living room. 

“Mom?” Hazel called, jumping to her feet. “Where are you going? What should we do about this?” 

Shaina didn’t answer, her footsteps echoing down the hallway. Hazel followed, confused and increasingly worried. 

“Mom, please! Talk to me!” she pleaded as they entered Shaina’s bedroom. 

Shaina made a beeline for the closet, pulling aside hanging clothes to reveal a small safe built into the wall. Her fingers flew over the keypad, inputting the code with practiced ease. 

“We need to meet your sister,” Shaina said, her voice tight as she swung open the safe door.