The Apple of My Eye novel Chapter 777

"I found it." The policeman had gotten some clue. "The target that we are looking for is located at a small housing settlement built by the government in the south. However, the layout of the place can be complicated to navigate. Then, to make our job a bit more tricky, there are many children and old people living the compound. If we want to force our way in, it may be very difficult."

"Then what do we do now? Do you mean we are just supposed to wait here and do nothing?" said Charles, with a confrontational tone.

"You have to calm down first," the policeman said. "I think your previous idea might work. You can try to lure Leila out first. Then we enter the room to get the kids out. What do you think?"

Though Charles was not fully convinced, his overwhelming concern for all the things that could possibly take place, compelled him to agree.

The second day, Leila brought some food for the kids to have for breakfast, but Charlie still stared at her with caution. Leila sighed, "Stop giving me that look. This is not I want either. Do you think I would have gotten this if I had been given another choice?"

Looking straight into Charlie's eyes, she said, "Charlie, don't worry. You are my son. Are you willing to go with me?"

"No! I will not go with you," Charlie replied firmly. "I will stay here to take care of Shirley. I don't care where you go. I will not follow you anywhere."

Angered by Charlie's words, she stormed at him, "It is not up to you. You really believe that woman is going to be nice to you? I am sure that you will regret that decision one day!"

Charlie quietened down. The day before, he surveyed his surroundings carefully. It was on the ground floor. Because it was a room for rent, there was no anti-theft structures in place. Therefore, the windows did not have bars on them. Once the window was open, he could clearly see the courtyard. However, the window was too high for them to reach and escape.

After what he felt was way too long, Charles still couldn't find them. Hence he stopped merely waiting for help, and decided he had no other choice but to try and find his own way to escape.

After Leila went out of the room, Charlie fed Shirley, as usual, but he was prepared to escape if he saw that there was any chance that he would succeed.

Leila was furious with Charlie. Thinking about the invitation that had been extended by Charles, she called him for the meet-up.

To confirm that the kids were with Leila, Charles requested, "I need to speak to Charlie. Unless I am completely assured that they are safe and unharmed, I will not meet you."

"Charles, do you really think I care what you want?" Leila sneered.

Charles softened his tone and replied, "Calm down. I just want to hear his voice. Only after I confirm that the kids are safe and sound, then, and only then... will I give you what you want. Otherwise, you will never get it."

"No problem," Leila agreed as she pushed the door open. Shirley was so scared that she hid behind Charlie. With eyes ablaze with loathing and resentment, Charlie stared at Leila and questioned, "What do you want this time?"

Leila did not answer Charlie, instead she replied into the phone, "Do you hear it now? Safe and sound, strong and energetic, they are perfectly fine."

"Wait just a second," Charles requested again. "I only hear Charlie. What about Shirley?"

Leila frowned and threw the question back, "You know your daughter right? She hasn't spoken a word for a long time. How do you want me to make her speak?"

Hearing that, Charlie being as clever as he was, then discovered that the person on the phone with Leila was Charles, so he calmed down and organized his thoughts. He took a glance at Leila, and then shouted to the phone, "Dad, Shirley is with me! She is fine!"

"You hear that?" scoffed Leila.