"Go, Look around!"
A group of men wearing suits burst through the door and started searching the area.
Cedric turned his head, focusing on the bathroom. "Does any of what this man is saying relate to the victim?"
The next second, the man in black who just left the bathroom swung his bloody hand at him when he was stupefied, then said in low voice near Cedric's ear, "Bastard boy, I will ask it back." and dropped something to his pocket. After that, he disappeared fast toward the direction of staircase. The crowds dressed in Western-style suit followed behind immediately.
Cedric was startled. Whoa, was it something out of a crime movie? That's freaking cool!
Regaining consciousness, he took out a small vial from his pocket. When he opened it, there was a tiny golden chip about the size of a bean.
Looking at it closely, he wondered what this on earth could that be. Doesn't look like gold. I think it's some sort of tech thingy, just like the one Edwin is always with.
"Seed!! Seed!!"
Pippin's mouth had flown open as Cedric was lost in thought and he had gobbled the chip down, mistaking it for a seed.
Cedric could hardly believe his eyes. He reached over quickly and patted Pippin on the head. "Pippin!" he cried. "Spit that out! Spit it out!"
Pippin made a faint, startled sound and swallowed the chip instead of spitting it out.
Cedric's shock instantly transformed into alarm. He hauled on Pippin and swung around to head back the way they had come. "That was not meant to be eaten! Get rid of it! Spit it out!"
Pippin had been watching Cedric and the sight of him had made it thrust out a brush-like tongue and revolve its teapot eyes.
"Oh! Cedric! What are you doing?" called Tessa.
She rushed over to grab Pippin out of his hands, cradling it in her arms as she demanded to know why he had bullied Pippin.
"I'm going to tell my mom."
"Cedric you shouldn't bully Pippin." Edwin chided.
"I, Pippin..." Cedric pointed to himself and made a futile attempt at pointing to
Pippin.
Pippin was panting and dizzy, it lay in Tessa's arms.
Nobody seems to trust me. Cedric couldn't tell anyone.
In the Italian restaurant, Reginald was sitting at the entrance of his VIP room with his back while sipping his wine in style. The dimness of the light only brought more oppressive vibes to him.
Right after that Ambrose rushed saying. "Mr. Deveraux, Pardus escaped!"
The guy said, "Useless!" with an icy sigh abd his hand seemed to freeze for a moment.
"oh yes", lied Ambrose, dropping his head in contrition.
Chip X is in the heart of our company's latest technology. We can't let it leak. We need to get it back."
Ambrose replied, "Fine. I will find Pardus within the next three days!"
Reginald rose to leave, and everyone was struck dumb by his beautiful presence. As everyone held their breath, a deep silence settled over the room.
He got down into the underground car park with his entourage and slid into his waiting Rolls-Royce Phantom. Just as the driver was about to pull away, Reginald said, "Hold on!"
Without delay the driver applied the brakes. Ambrose saw a small girl darting across the rear of their motor, where they had all but caught her on their previous bump; an earlier blow had all but knocked her down. Without delay he got out of the car.
"Why are you here by yourself, girl?"
"My Pippin took off downstairs. I'm after it. Pippin! Stop running! Surrender!"
Just as Tessa was about to pounce on the bird it flew into the car.
She quickly crawled into the car. When she looked up she was not expecting to see a pair of icy eyes staring back at her.
He looks like he will cause harm. Is he the bad man Mommy keeps talking about?
Fearfully, Tessa turned to meet Reginald's gaze and drew back once more.
And indeed Reginald had been gazing also, gazing at the girl till compelled to let his eyes drop from her's in confusion.
What a sweet baby. She looks like a beautiful doll with those chubby cheeks of hers. Her eyes twinkle so brightly, like stars.
I think I somehow already know her. There¹s something about her gaze that melts me, I can feel it.
Pippin screamed, "Tessa! Tessa!" as she raced around in a circle.
"Get over here this instant!" A frown and an imperious hand held out. "I'm going to be angry!"
Unfortunately, Pippin did not perch on her little hand. Instead, it landed on Reginald's shoulder.
As Reginald reached out to capture Pippin, his brow creased.
Pippin scrambled and threw up on Reginald's coat. Some feathers drifted down upon the sudden silence.
Ambrose went cold.
The bodyguards got paler if humanly possible you could keep a tiger neater, the bird carcass!
Reginald's face did become dark. His hand for a moment in the darkness closed upon poor little Pippin ever tighter and tighter.
I could feel Pippin stiffening under the pressure, and see its tongue loosen and curve upwards.
Oh! Give Pippin up!
Leaping upon the man, Tessa tried to force his hands open. 'Loose! Give up!'
"Youngster." Ambrose made a move to take her.
Reginald felt his malice ebb as he looked at Tessa's doll's eyes and crimsoned cheeks. He opened his fingers wider and wider.
Pippin, in a frenzy of wing flapping, returned to Tessa's hand.
Tessa hopped out of the car and shot Reginald an evil look.
"Hey, young one!" she called before ignoring the retort Ambrose was shouting after her. "Send someone to escort her back to her family if you can," he commanded a guard in worry.
And with that, the car pulled slowly away. Reginald took off his blazer, brushed feathers from it and used a wet-wipe to clean his hands.
Ambrose studied his boss's face. The aggressive glint in his eye had gone but he still looked grim.
That really he had to be too sad and say. "What a cute little girl."
"She's got an innocent look," Reginald said, unusual for him.
Indeed. What kind of mother could she have been to produce such a fine daughter?
Tessa was on the escalator when she heard Miriam's voice yelling after her. "Tessa! Tessa!"
"I'm here, Mommy!" Tessa dashed over, Pippin in her arms and threw herself with the speed of a rocket into Miriam's hug sending the latter sprawling under her own weight.
"You frightened me." I said. Miriam hugged Tessa tight, and absent-mindedly stroked her head. "Are you hurt? Have you seen any bad people?"
"I'm not hurt, but..."
Tessa thought of the man in the car. Is he a bad guy?
Sure looked like one!
Pippin threw up on his shoulder. He was so angry, but he didn't kill Pippin. So, he can't be that bad of a person, right?
"Actually," Miriam argued.
Tessa pointed with her chubby fingers and announced solemnly, "Pippin pooped on a man." "But Pippin wasn't hurt by that man."
"I'm glad you're both okay. Do you understand? Don't wander off again.
Fine.
Not too far, the bodyguard waited for the small child to leave with her mother before he himself left.
All he could see was her back, and the faded denim shirt she wore, because he had kept his distance.