Chapter 213: A Father’s Frustration
After leaving Sophie’s neighborhood, the group arrived safely at Stone Free Grand Hotel.
Luca stepped out of the car first and opened the rear door.
“Let me carry her upstairs.”
Sophie had just reached out to pick Daisy up herself, but after hearing him, she quietly withdrew her hands and nodded.
“Okay.”
The moment Luca lifted the little girl into his arms, her tiny body shuddered.
A pained expression crossed her sleeping face.
Before she was even fully awake, soft whimpers escaped her lips.
“Waaah…”
“Mommy…”
“Daddy…”
Tears streamed down her cheeks before she even opened her eyes.
Her cries grew louder with every passing second, drawing sympathetic looks from everyone nearby.
She was still so young.
Losing both parents at an age like this was heartbreaking.
“Daisy…”
Sophie gently rubbed the little girl’s back, forcing a smile through her own trembling voice.
“Don’t cry.”
“Mommy and Daddy have only gone somewhere very far away.”
“If Daisy stays strong and behaves, they’ll be happy.”
Her voice was as gentle as a summer breeze, quietly soothing the frightened child.
Holding Daisy carefully, Luca walked into the hotel with the others.
As they crossed the lobby, he spotted Patrick sitting on one of the sofas.
Almost as if sensing someone watching him, Patrick looked up.
The moment their eyes met, he immediately stood.
Luca gave him a brief nod before continuing toward the elevators.
…
The room had already been prepared.
Once inside, Sophie looked at Luca apologetically.
“Luca… I’ll stay with Daisy tonight, so…”
By now, Daisy had stopped crying.
She still sniffled quietly while tightly clutching Sophie’s hand.
Earlier that day, when those people had surrounded and frightened her, Sophie had been the only one willing to stand in front of her.
As long as Sophie stayed beside her, she didn’t feel afraid.
Luca smiled.
“I was planning to head home tonight anyway.”
“I’m going back to see my parents.”
“You stay here, get some rest, and don’t go anywhere alone.”
“I’ll have people watching over you.”
“Okay.”
He gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Sophie’s ear before lightly rubbing her soft earlobe.
Watching it slowly turn pink, he smiled and reluctantly withdrew his hand.
Then he crouched in front of Daisy.
Patting her little head, he spoke softly.
“Daisy.”
“Big Brother will come see you again tomorrow.”
“Tonight, stay with your sister, alright?”
“No wandering off.”
The little girl pursed her lips before obediently nodding.
“You should get going.”
Sophie looked at him worriedly.
“It’s getting late. Driving at night isn’t very safe.”
Ever since Daisy’s accident, she had become terrified of nighttime travel.
“Alright.”
Luca smiled.
Turning toward Diana and Rachel, he waved.
“Auntie, Rachel, I’ll head out now.”
“Drive safely.”
Diana smiled gently.
“Bye, Luca.”
Rachel waved enthusiastically.
After saying goodbye, Luca walked toward the elevator while giving Mason a few final instructions.
“Don’t worry.”
Mason patted his chest confidently.
“I’ve sealed off this entire floor.”
“No unrelated guests will be allowed up.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re a lifesaver.”
…
As soon as the elevator reached the lobby, Patrick walked over.
“Boss.”
He nodded respectfully before introducing the young woman beside him.
“This is Justina Farce.”
“I borrowed her from Captain Rico.”
“She’s an expert with computers.”
He then gestured toward a file in his hand.
“Her brother, Hernandez Farce, graduated from the police academy.”
“I’ve already sent him out to investigate.”
Since they were Rico’s people, both siblings naturally worked for Crescent Security Solutions.
Sometimes, Luca genuinely admired Rico.
The man always seemed capable of gathering talented people around him.
At the same time, Luca realized he’d been careless.
Mason’s employees were hotel staff.
They could gather surface-level information, but investigations like this required professionals.
After greeting Justina, he turned back to Patrick.
“How’s the Luiz family?”
“It’s over.”
Patrick answered calmly.
“Gordon Luiz won’t survive.”
“Dexter Luiz has been sentenced to seven years.”
“Which evidence did you use?”
Luca asked immediately.
Gordon deserved punishment.
But death alone was too easy for him.
He still had debts to repay.
As for Lady Francine and Frank Romano…
Their deaths would only add more fuel to the fire.
Luca had personally handed Patrick the most critical piece of evidence.
There was no reason not to press the advantage.
“I used it.”
Patrick nodded.
Sometimes, he felt his boss wasn’t a young man at all.
He was more like an old fox who had spent decades navigating society.
Every move against Gordon had been calculated perfectly.
Nothing had been left to chance.
As for Dexter…
Patrick almost felt impressed.
The man had betrayed his adoptive father.
His biological parents.
And in the end…
He even betrayed himself.
’A son like that…’
’No parent could sleep peacefully.’
…
A car arranged by Mason took Luca back home.
By the time they reached Stillwater Bay, exhaustion was finally beginning to catch up with him.
“Go get some rest.”
He got out of the car and leaned toward the driver’s window.
“Pick me up at eight tomorrow morning.”
“Understood, Mr. Hale.”
Watching the car leave, Luca walked toward Villa No. 1.
The front door unlocked with a fingerprint scan.
Even before stepping inside, he heard the television playing in the living room.
“You’re back.”
Mrs. Hale walked out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel.
“Have you eaten?”
Luca smiled.
“Not yet.”
“What delicious food did you make today?”
She chuckled.
“Pork ribs.”
“Stir-fried vegetables.”
“And preserved eggs with cold dressing.”
Luca rubbed his hands together dramatically.
“All my favorites.”
“I’m starving.”
Just then, Luca’s Dad walked out of the living room.
He stopped in the hallway and stared silently at Luca.
After changing into his slippers, Luca suddenly felt goosebumps rising along his back.
Looking up, he met his father’s unusually deep gaze.
“Dad…”
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Something felt wrong.
There was an indescribable look in his father’s eyes.
And instinct told Luca it couldn’t be anything good.
“Old Hale.”
Mother Hale called from the kitchen.
“The food’s ready.”
“Come help me bring the dishes out.”
Only then did Father Hale turn around and head into the kitchen.
Luca quietly let out the breath he’d been holding.
’What’s going on…?’
’Dad seems… different today.’
…
After spending almost the entire day on the road, Luca was genuinely hungry.
Nothing felt more satisfying than sitting down to a table full of hot, home-cooked food.
Without another word, he buried himself in his meal.
Halfway through dinner…
Bang!
Father Hale suddenly slammed his fork onto the table.
“Luca…”
Before he could continue, Luca’s Mom quickly grabbed his sleeve.
“Old Hale.”
“What are you doing?”
“It isn’t that serious.”
“Let him finish eating first.”
Luca froze.
Normally, Mrs. Hale was the one who got angry, while their Dad played peacemaker.
Today, their roles had completely reversed.
Judging from his father’s expression…
He was genuinely furious.
Even more surprising…
His mother clearly already knew what this was about.
“It isn’t serious?”
Mr. Hale’s face darkened.
“Does someone actually have to die before you call it serious?”
He took a deep breath, barely suppressing his anger.
Mother Hale gently patted his arm.
“Oh, Old Hale.”
“Don’t be so worked up.”
“Don’t you want a grandchild too?”
“If someone really died, wouldn’t that be even worse?”
The complete difference in their reactions only left Luca more confused.
He looked from one parent to the other.
“Dad.”
“Mom.”
“What exactly are you two talking about?”