?Chapter 869:


    As he spoke, Dustin leaned forward, starting to get up, and lowered his voice. “Collin, let’s see who the kid’s calling. Maybe we’ll finally figure out who his mom is. I saw he’s got a smartwatch—it probably makes calls.”


    Collin stayed cool, calmly cing a hand on Dustin’s knee, nudging him to sit back down.


    Dustin looked confused. “Collin, what’s the deal?”


    Collin spoke gently. “If he finds out we’re eavesdropping, he’s gonna be pissed.”


    “Collin, since when do we care if a kid gets mad? He’s just—” Dustin started, clearly not getting it.


    But before he could finish, Collin cut in, his voice calm but serious. “He might actually be my kid.”


    Dustin stopped cold, his eyes widening just a little in shock. Collin looked him straight in the eye and continued after a short pause. “If he’s mine, I don’t want him to hate me the first time we meet. I’ve already missed the beginning of his life.”


    He let out a long breath, his fingersced and tightening a little. “Even if he’s not mine, we can’t just ignore what he said and spy on him. That’s messed up.”


    Dustin hadn’t expected Collin to think that deeply, that quickly.


    He opened his mouth again, still not ready to let it go. “Then how are we supposed to find out who he is? The kid’s sharp as hell—he won’t say a word, and we’ve got nothing to go on.”


    Collin’s face softened unexpectedly as he thought about how much Zander looked like him. “There’s no need to push. I’ll wait. He’ll tell me when he’s ready.”


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    When Zander locked the bathroom door, he made sure there was no sounding from outside. He then tapped on his watch a couple of times.


    Soon, Zenia’s hushed voice came through the watch. “You aren’t back yet, Zander?”


    Whispering so he couldn’t be heard, Zander replied, “The bad man is a tough nut to crack. I need more time.”


    “But if you’re not back soon, Mommy will know you’re gone,” Zenia said nervously.


    “If Mommy asks, just tell her I went to y with Jimmie.”


    “Who’s Jimmie?” Zenia asked curiously.


    Zander lied without hesitation. “It’s a friend I made here in Grester. Just tell Mommy that. Don’t change the story!”


    Zenia, however, was quite hesitant. “We’ve only been in Grester for a few days, and we’ve mostly been at the hotel. How could you have made a new friend? Mommy won’t believe that.”


    “Just do as I say. I’ll be back once I’ve dealt with the bad man,” Zander said earnestly.


    Then, Linsey’s voice came through on Zenia’s end, curiously asking, “Who are you talking to, sweetie? And where’s Zander?”


    Zander immediately looked panicked. He fumbled with his watch, trying to disconnect the call.


    His mother was already asking about him! He had no idea if Zenia would be able to cover for him.


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