Chapter 230: Returning To The District

Charlie drove Angel towards the district, leaving the quiet residential area behind as they headed into the heart of the town. Before leaving, Angel had pulled on a hoodie and tied her hair back, making sure none of its distinctive wine-red colour was visible. The last thing she wanted was to attract unnecessary attention when she had no idea what kind of situation she was walking into.

Ocean was asleep peacefully on her lap, her little body resting against her mother’s chest. Beside them sat Percy, safely inside his cage, still looking as confused as ever about the strange journey he had been forced to take.

Angel had already made up her mind. Charlie was not getting Percy back until she saw her wife and eldest daughter with her own eyes.

As their car entered the district, Angel began noticing how much the place had changed.

It had been seven years since she last set foot there, and she had not expected to find the town in such a state. The lively atmosphere she remembered was gone. Several shops were shut behind their metal doors, and barely anyone walked along the pavements.

Even the porn shops, which had once attracted their fair share of customers, were closed.

They passed a small restaurant where Angel remembered seeing crowds of customers during lunch hours, with people spilling onto the pavement to grab something to eat. Now, not a single customer was inside.

The market was no better. The area had once been crowded with vendors calling out to customers, people bargaining over prices, and shoppers moving between stalls. Now, some stalls had been abandoned, while others had only a handful of customers.

The happy atmosphere that had once defined the district had disappeared, leaving behind a strange emptiness Angel could not explain.

She leaned back in her seat, watching the familiar streets pass by. Seven years was a long time, but these changes were too noticeable to dismiss as ordinary development. Something had happened while she was away, something that had affected the entire district.

However, Angel had no intention of wasting time investigating it. Whatever had happened here was no longer her concern. This place was no longer her home, and she had no ties to it anymore. If Tasha had answered her calls earlier, Angel would never have stepped foot in the district again.

The car eventually stopped in front of an enormous building.

Charlie switched off the engine, and they got out. Angel carefully lifted Ocean into her arms, adjusting the sleeping child’s position against her chest before looking up at the structure.

Goodland Building.

The name was displayed prominently above the entrance, its polished lettering gleaming against the modern exterior. The tall building had several floors of glass windows reflecting the surrounding streets. Its expensive-looking architecture made it stand out even among the other tall buildings in the area.

Even the beach resorts seemed insignificant beside it.

Angel stared at the building briefly before turning towards Charlie, who seemed to be waiting for her to comment.

"Are you not going to ask what has been happening around the district?" Charlie asked. "I can fill you in on all the details..."

"Just take me to Tasha," Angel interrupted.

She had neither the patience nor the interest to listen to Charlie explain what had happened during the years she had been away. The district could have been transformed into an entirely different town for all she cared. Her only concern was finding April and Lucy May, and nothing else mattered until they were safely beside her.

The two women headed inside, with Charlie taking the lead while Angel carried Ocean.

The spacious lobby had polished floors, elegant furniture, and several people dressed in expensive suits moving between the reception area and the elevators. Unlike the quiet streets outside, the building was full of activity. Employees carried documents, spoke into their phones, and hurried between offices.

A few people glanced at Angel, but none paid her much attention.

She kept her head lowered beneath her hood, although her eyes continued moving from one person to another. She wondered whether anyone she once knew was around, then quickly dismissed the thought.

They approached the reception counter, where a young woman sat behind a computer. Charlie stepped forward and waited for the secretary to look up.

"Is Tessa Johnson in?" she asked.

The secretary checked her computer before looking back at Charlie.

"Yes, she has been waiting for you, Mrs Johnson."

Charlie nodded before turning towards Angel.

"Come on. She’s expecting us."

Angel followed without a word, keeping Ocean securely in her arms. The little girl remained asleep, seemingly unaware of the strange world her mother had brought her or the trouble that had brought them there.

Inside the elevator, Charlie pressed the button for the office floor. For a few moments, neither spoke. Charlie occasionally glanced at Angel, who remained focused on keeping Ocean comfortable.

Eventually, Charlie cleared her throat.

"You know, I have been married to Tessa for two years now..."

"I don’t give a fuck about your love life, bitch," Angel interrupted without even looking at her.

Charlie closed her mouth, realising her attempt at making conversation had failed.

"Okay, I won’t say anything else, but I am really sorry," she said after a brief pause. "All I wanted was to have Percy back in my arms, and I never meant for this whole thing to go so far."

Angel slowly turned towards her.

"I have heard enough of your apologies, so save them until you are at my mercy. Who the fuck kidnaps someone’s wife and daughter to get something when they already know where to find him?"

Her voice remained low, but the anger behind her words was impossible to miss.

Angel remembered sending Charlie her location. She had even told the Beta she was welcome to visit whenever she wanted, yet instead of taking her up on the invitation, Charlie had decided to kidnap April and Lucy May just to get Percy back.

The more Angel thought about it, the more ridiculous the situation became.

Perhaps she should have brought Florence along. At least then she would have someone capable of teaching Charlie a lesson she would never forget. If Tessa had been involved in this nonsense, Angel would gladly make sure she regretted getting mixed up in it.

Maybe after both of them had their asses thoroughly kicked, they would finally understand that nobody should mess with her family.

The elevator stopped, and the doors slid open. The floor looked expensive, with neatly arranged furniture and several employees working behind transparent partitions.

They soon arrived at an office enclosed by clear glass walls. Through them, Angel could see a woman seated behind a desk, apparently occupied with someone standing in front of her. The person’s back was turned towards the entrance, hiding their face.

Angel barely spared Tessa another glance.

Her wife and daughter were still missing, and she had no intention of wasting another second. She finally handed Percy over to Charlie, who took the cage with both hands, her expression brightening at the sight of her long-lost furry son. Angel adjusted Ocean against her chest before storming into the office.

"Where is my wife and daughter, Tessa Johnson?" she demanded.

The person standing in front of the desk slowly turned around.

Angel came to an abrupt halt.

For a moment, she stared at the familiar face, her crimson eyes widening as recognition settled in.

Then the person greeted her.

"Hello, Angel Morningstar. Long time no see..."