Ka was stunned from the moment Gabrielle opened her mouth. She blurted out, “How did you know I have the map?”


    She instantly regretted the slip–up. She had walked right into Gabrielle’s trap.


    Gabrielle arched a brow in amusement and replied proudly, “Well, now I know.”


    Ka’s face turned ashen, but her mind worked fast. Her family was no longer able to support her. She’d rather give up on that useless map in exchange for connections with the Carrell family <b>of </b>Seldvale.


    Besides, she could muddle through it if the Carrells managed to decipher the constetions on the map! Who knew? She might eveny im to the legendary treasure!


    Always a flexible woman, Ka now put on an obedient, smiling face. She replied sweetly, “Aunt Gabrielle, I can’t say no to your request. Here’s the map…” novelbin


    She pulled out the map from her shirt pocket and handed it to Gabrielle with both hands. Gabrielle shot her a look of approval for her deference. “You’re sensible.” “Aunt Gabrielle, I’ll have to count on you in the future.”


    “That’s <b>for </b>sure. I’m always generous to my younger rtives.” Gabrielle took the map and tossed it at the bodyguards without so much as taking a look. One would wonder if she had full trust in Ka or if she was confident that Ka wouldn’t have the guts to trick her.


    She said to the guards, “Bring the map to Pete.”


    “Got it.”


    The bodyguards took the map and carried out Gabrielle’s orders right away. Ka was worried that the map might be swapped again when it was delivered, which would be really funny. She’d end up like Dexter and Myra<b>, </b>unable to exin the whereabouts of the map.


    Thankfully, her worries did not materialize. Pete was waiting in a car on the first floor.


    When he received the map, he immediately rolled it out and checked it. Ka stood by the window, trying her best to take a glimpse of him, but all she could see was his pale and thin wrist with a rosary bracelet on it.


    Gabrielle asked, “Alright. What do you want?”


    “Nothing special. I just want to stay by your side, Aunt Gabrielle. I want to hide from those thugs and learn about the world from you.” Ka’s reply was a half- truth, but her great ambitions shone through.


    Gabrielle stared at Ka again, praising, “You’re much better than your biological parents.”


    Then, she nced at Howell and Tabitha, who had been acting ingratiatingly this whole time. She said with disdain, “You’re a failure of parents. Not only is your real daughter nothing like you, but that girl you raised is also much more capable than both of you.”


    Ka sensed that something was wrong when Gabrielle brought up Felicia. Gabrielle knew too much. She had obviously been investigating–or rather, monitoring -everyone’s movement, including Felicia’s.


    That exined how Gabrielle knew the map was with Ka.


    Ka felt relieved that she made the wise decision to hand over the map. Had she crossed Gabrielle, she would have lost the protection of the Carrell family.


    That day, Ka left with Gabrielle. Howell and Tabitha, who had been standing on the sidelines all day, finally came to their senses. They hurried after the two women, trying to curry favor. <b>“</b>Gabrielle, how about us? Which car do we take?”


    Gabrielle paused, which was a rare thing for her to do. She finally replied, “Didn’t <b>I </b>give you money? That’s the payment for your efforts. Are you guys seriously thinking of going to Seldvale with me?”


    <b>“</b>C–Can’t we?” Howell prodded carefully.


    Speechless, Gabrielle snapped, “What do you think?”


    Ka snorted and rudely said to him, “You should go on with your day. Look at yourself in the mirror!”