Tammy quickly raised her hand and shouted, âCome on over here! Gary is here!â
Anna leaned back as she waited for someone to answer the phone. She watched as the nurse filled the bottle with drops, connected the line, removed the needle cap, and held Garyâs hand. After a brief pause, the nurse decided to look for a more visible vein on his foot.
The nurse lifted Garyâs trousers the moment someone answered Annaâs phone.
âHello, this is the Flower Welfare Home in Birmingham. How can | help you, please?â
Annaâs eyes were fixed on Garyâs ankle, and she felt a chill run through her body. Her ears suddenly started ringing, and that made her dizzy. Her hand shook, and the phone fell to the floor loudly.
âHello? Hello?â
After waiting half a minute without hearing anything, the receptionist hung up the phone angrily.
Tammy turned her head as she heard the phone fall to the floor. Anna seemed shocked and pale. There was sweat on her forehead, and her entire body shook slightly.
âMommy, whatâs the matter?â Tammy asked, concerned.
âIs it okay that we look after Gary ourselves these days?â Anna asked. She sat down, holding onto a nearby chair, and kept her voice calm.
âOkay.â Tammy agreed, although she had no idea what was going on.
And Tammy noticed a strange pattern on Garyâs ankle when she looked in 453 A New Clue the direction Anna was looking.
Two leaves were holding against a green seedling. A crescent moon Was supposed to be above, but he didnât have that on his ankle.
Anna forced herself to relax. Tammy had mentioned something to her on the way to the hospital, and something suddenly occurred to her.
âYou said Gary was Irish, right?â Anna asked.
âWell, thatâs what the orphanage president said.â
âWould you mind picking up my phone off the floor for me, honey?â
âSure.â Tammy took up the phone and handed it to Anna. She felt something strange when she touched Annaâs hand.
Mommyâs reaction is so strange. What happened, mommy? she thought to herself.
Anna then took a picture of Garyâs ankle, sent Ryan the photo and asked, âIs this the same pattern?â
Ryan responded, âYes,â
When Ryan saw the photo, he couldnât help but frown. He deduced from the photo that it had to be a child and from the childâs hospital gown that he was in the hospital. He went downstairs immediately and texted, âIâll be right there,â a second before starting the engine.
Half an hour later, Ryan arrived at the hospital. He and Anna sat across from each other in the hospital cafeteria, both looking gloomy. Then Ryan combined the photo Anna had sent him with the tattoo image he had previously printed.
âThe top half of this pattern is missing, but the rest is identical in detail and proportions to that. I can assure you this is the one.
Who is this person, anyway?âAsked Ryan.
Anna pointed to the building behind her, âHeâs a little boy, and heâs getting an infusion upstairs. Tammy said that she had seen this boy at the Flower orphanage and that he was Irish. He was adopted in Ireland and then abandoned after being brought to Birmingham.â
As Anna was speaking, an idea struck her. âIs it possible that he was brought here by the man?â she asked.
Ryan was ata loss for words. He frowned, his mind racing over every detail of the situation. Still, he didnât dare to make such a quick judgment.
âHL look into that later. You must keep this boy with you, Anna. You should bring him home as soon as possible and avoid letting him out.â
Anna nodded, placed the two photos in her bag, and said, âIâm taking this with me.â
Ryan was about to leave when he thought of something. He said, âYou have to continue to look for clues about Micheal, and you have to do so quickly. | donât think he knows much, but thereâs definitely something we can get from him.â
Anna nodded seriously. She said goodbye to Ryan before heading back to the hospital.
During the morning rush hour, many people were rushing to work in the downtown business district. Isabella was walking here for the first time.
Isabella walked with long strides to Lemonâs office. She was dressed ina beige blouse, a light brown suit, and camel heels. Her shirt sleeves were rolled up, exposing her slender arms.
She moved quickly, surrounded by young men who peered at her and appeared interested in her. Isabella, like Anna, had a commanding 453 A New Clue presence. She possessed the confidence and self-assurance of a strong woman.
Meanwhile, a white car slowly slid against the roadâs edge in the constant traffic. The car stopped beside Isabella, and the driver opened the window.
âCome on in, Iâll give you a ride.â Jasper said to Isabella.
Isabella kept her head up and accelerated her pace. Soon, she walked past his car. Jasper had no choice but to start the engine and follow her.
After a few attempts, Jasper gradually lost patience. He eventually had to get out of the car and block Isabellaâs path.
âLetâs have a talk.â As Isabella was about to go around him again, Jasper reached out and grabbed her arm. His palm made her arm feel warm, but her heart was still cold.
Isabella looked down at his bony hand and broke away from his grips. âWhat exactly do you want to say? Say it,â She said this as she locked her gaze on him.
Jasper noticed Isabella had cut her long hair at that point. Her hair was down to her shoulders, which made her seem mature and capable.
âLetâs find a quiet place to talk.â
âIâm sorry, but | have work to do.â
Jasper frowned. âIâm going back to Manhattan in a couple of days, so you can come back with me,â he said after a momentâs thought.
Isabella wanted to go with Jasper when he said he was going back. But then she thought of something and declined. âIâm not returning with you. By the way, Anna really needs me right now.â
Jasper asked in surprise, âYouâre going to help her? Iâve found out something about it, so you donât have to worry. What you should do now is return to Manhattan with me and attend college. Iâve already helped you...â
âIâm going to college, but Iâm not going back to Manhattan.â Isabella exhaled deeply and interrupted Jasperâs next words. She raised her head to meet his gaze, the hot sunlight making it difficult for her to open her eyes.
â| already have an offer from the University of Birmingham, so donât worry about it.â
Jasper frowned as he felt upset. He had a feeling that something wasnât right, but he wasnât sure what it was.
âYou...â He nodded. He wanted to tell Isabella that she was an adult, so she could decide whether or not to return to Manhattan and which college to attend. Instead of saying these words, he said, âCome home with me, | want to hear your plans for the future.â
Isabellaâs eyes were filled with tears, and she struggled to remain calm. She said, âNo, Iâve been extremely busy recently. Plus, youâre not interested in that.â
âIsabella!â Jasper looked sullen and clenched his fists. He said, âIâm still your father now, Isabella.â
Hearing that, Isabella became enraged as well.