Mr. CEO, You Look Strangely Familiar

Sierra Ainsworth hadn’t expected her to come back.

Aaron Sterling, sitting across from her, looked Catherine up and down before speaking. "Ma’am, can’t you see someone’s sitting here?"

Catherine Callahan froze for a moment. It took her a second to realize that she was the ’ma’am’ he was referring to.

Her face cycled through several shades of color.

"You..." Catherine Callahan wanted to curse him out, but she felt it would ruin her image. The words caught in her throat.

Sierra Ainsworth spoke up. "She’s my... sister."

Aaron Sterling let out a soft "Oh," then asked, "How come you two don’t look anything alike? One of you takes after your mom and the other your dad?"

Sierra Ainsworth didn’t know how to respond, but Catherine Callahan lied without skipping a beat. "Of course. What else would you think?"

Aaron Sterling tapped his fingers on the table. "I’m supposed to be on a blind date with your sister. What are you doing here?"

Catherine Callahan looked exceptionally smug. "You’re mistaken. I’m the one you’re supposed to be on a date with, not her."

Aaron Sterling stood up, stuffed his hands into his suit pockets, and said lazily, "Sierra, I’ll see you at school. I’m heading out."

Catherine Callahan could only watch as he left.

She stood up, seething with anger, and shot Sierra Ainsworth a cold glare. "Home!"

And so, Catherine led the way with Sierra Ainsworth trailing behind her. They got into the car and drove home.

The moment they entered the living room, Claire Sinclair said to her grimly, "Catherine, come with me. We need to talk."

Catherine Callahan nodded. "Alright."

The mother and daughter went into Claire Sinclair’s bedroom and closed the door. She lowered her voice until it was a whisper only they could hear.

"I’ve just received word. Quentin Grant has brought a large number of his men to Valeria. I estimate they’ll be here very soon."

Catherine Callahan panicked. "How did he find out?"

"We don’t know yet. The person who went to the appointment in Grestin wasn’t Nora Ainsworth herself. I suspect that with them coming here, they must know we’re the ones responsible."

"Then what should we do?"

Claire Sinclair replied calmly, "What is there to be afraid of? They have no evidence. What can they do, even if they show up? I’ve already had someone send those two kids away. The other 62 children will be returned to Fravia tonight."

Catherine Callahan breathed a sigh of relief. "Mom, where did you send them?"

But Claire Sinclair didn’t elaborate. "I have this handled, so you don’t need to worry about it. Just focus on what you need to do. You’re almost thirty, you should be thinking about settling down. I know about the child you bore who died prematurely. Catherine, you can’t keep orbiting around Quentin Grant. He’s not the one for you. So, how did the blind date go?"

Catherine Callahan had been fine until she mentioned that. Now, she felt like she was about to explode with rage.

"That man is so arrogant! He didn’t give me the time of day. I get there and he calls me ’ma’am.’ Then when he heard the date was supposed to be with me, he just left! He even told Sierra Ainsworth he’d see her at school. Mom, were you just trying to humiliate me?"

Hearing this, Claire Sinclair immediately said, "He really is too much... But it’s understandable. Catherine, Aaron Sterling is only twenty-two, and you’re almost thirty. You’re quite a bit older than him, so it’s natural he’d be a little put off. Don’t dwell on it. As for Sierra... seeing him at school? I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen!"

Catherine Callahan’s boiling anger gradually subsided. "He’s seven or eight years younger than me. He’s at that arrogant age. I get it."

"Good, as long as you understand. When Quentin Grant and Nora Ainsworth get here, just put on a good act. Pretend you know nothing. Even if they get suspicious, they can’t do anything to us as long as they don’t find the children. Besides, your father is here to back us up."

Catherine Callahan muttered, "My dad’s been dead for years."

Claire Sinclair shot her a look. "Don’t you ever say that again. From now on, he *is* your father. Make sure you get that straight!"

Catherine Callahan nodded. "I’m going to head out."

Claire Sinclair nodded and followed her downstairs to the living room.

Sierra Ainsworth wasn’t in the living room. She usually avoided sitting with them anyway.

The two boys were forced into a vehicle, the doors locked from the outside.

They had successfully managed to feign being brainwashed, acting completely obedient. Unsure of where they were being taken, they could only bide their time and observe.

The boys slept for an unknown amount of time. Having refused the food they were given, they were now frantic with hunger.

At long last, after a full day of driving, they arrived.

After two days and one night without food, they were so hungry they felt like they could eat tree bark.

Still, the two of them forced themselves to maintain control, though they were so weak they could barely walk.

Dylan Grant’s eyes scanned the area. Beneath a dim, yellow sky, he could see they were on a small island. They stood on a shore, facing a boundless sea.

The leader of the four men slapped both boys on the head. "You little bastards, what are you staring at? Get a move on and follow me, or we’ll let you starve."

The boys didn’t dare say a word and followed silently.

The men were all carrying guns, and the boys were too small to fight back.

They followed a path to a house with a dilapidated, padlocked iron gate. A tall, sturdy man unlocked it and led the two of them inside.

"Mister, where are we?" Dylan Grant asked.

"Where? You wouldn’t know the name even if I told you. Why do kids ask so many damn questions? It’s no paradise, that’s for sure. And from now on, it’s your new home. There’s no cell service here, and no one’s ever going to find you. So you’d better just stay put and behave."

Dylan Grant asked no more questions and followed them deeper inside. When another tall, iron gate creaked open, the two boys—despite their high intelligence—couldn’t help but let out a cry of shock.

Elmer Grant grabbed Dylan’s arm with one hand and covered his eyes with the other, his voice trembling. "Brother, I’m scared!"

Though he was terrified himself, Dylan forced a calm expression and soothed his younger brother in a shaky voice. "It’s okay. I’m here."

The four burly men laughed at their exchange, sneering, "Little runts. We’re leaving now. If you want to survive, you’ll have to find your own food in here. We’ll be back in three months to see if you’re dead yet. If you are, oh well. If you’re not... you might just have some potential worth cultivating. HAHAHAHA!"

With that, the four men backed out through the iron gate, and the clang of a lock sliding into place echoed from the other side.

Elmer turned and banged on the gate. "Open up! Let us out!"

But the sound of their footsteps faded into the distance. Elmer couldn’t help but break down, wailing, "Brother, we’re just going to die in here!"

Dylan grabbed his hand. "Not necessarily! I think these people... they’re being secretly dealt with by high-ranking officials in Valeria. They were put here because they could be found anywhere else in the country. But here... it seems like no one can find this place. Elmer, don’t be scared. It’s getting dark. First, let’s find a place to sleep. Then, we’ll look for... food."