CHAPTER SEVEN

The sun cast a gentle glow over the large compound of Angel Hearts Orphanage, located quietly on the edge of the city. The old buildings, though modest, were well-kept — painted in cream color, their exteriors decorated with flowering shrubs that bloomed along the walkways. Laughter echoed faintly from the playground where children chased after a worn-out soccer ball, their joy unhindered by the world outside.

Felix, dressed in a deep charcoal suit with polished loafers, stood near the main reception building. He was tall, well-built, with a quiet strength and an air of control that rarely drew unnecessary attention. In his hand was a slim black envelope.

The matron, a kind-faced woman with silvering hair tied in a bun, smiled gratefully as she accepted the envelope. When she opened it, her eyes widened.

“Sir... this is a lot. Are you sure?”

“I believe in investing where it counts,” Felix replied, his tone smooth but warm. “That should be a million dollars. For education scholarships — the gifted ones, the dreamers.” He meant every word he was saying. Coming from a poor background and knowing that he had only been educated through the generosity of the Cruz family, he understood what it really meant to be helped by others.

Normally he wouldn’t give such a huge amount just to get information but this one was for a noble cause. He had even added some of his personal money to the account the cheque was drawing from.

Her hand flew to her chest. “God bless you.”

He offered a faint smile. “I may return later with more. For now, could you show me around? I’d love to meet some of the kids.”

“Of course, sir. Right this way.”

She led him through the open courtyard, flanked by flowering jacaranda trees, and into a nearby dormitory where children in mismatched outfits gathered curiously.

They brightened as Felix entered. “A visitor!” someone cheered. A few rushed to his side.

Felix knelt by a group seated on a floor mat, engaging them in simple questions. One boy, with a proud glint in his eye, stood out.

“What’s your name?” Felix asked.

“David, 14 years old sir” the boy replied, wearing a faded green T-shirt and red sneakers that were two sizes too big. He looked mature for his age. Maybe it was the way he handled the younger children with so much care and attention unlike other teenagers his age that caught Felix’s eye.

“And what do you want to be when you grow up, David?”

“You mean like a career?” David asked looking up to Felix.

“Yes, exactly” Felix replied.

“A pilot!” he beamed. “So I can take all my brothers and sisters on holiday in my own airplane.”

Felix smiled and ruffled the boy’s curly hair. “A big dreamer. I like that.” He was amused at how much this boy had accepted the orphanage as his home. He even referred to the other kids as his brothers and sisters.

He checked his watch subtly. It was almost half past three. He was waiting for something..someone.

He continued chatting with the kids, offering light banter and warm glances, though his eyes often flickered toward the gate at the far end of the compound. Then he saw them...the cars heading towards the main gate of the orphanage. Exactly what had brought him here.

“Excuse me, Matron,” he said after a while, rising to his feet. “I should be heading out.”

“Oh? You don’t want to stay a bit longer? The kids seem to have taken a liking to you” she asked as she walked him toward the gate.

Felix paused, just as a convoy of sleek, polished vehicles, three black Mercedes-Benz sedans and a matte silver Range Rover pulled into the gravel parking area.

“You must have a lot of guests today?” he asked the matron, but he already knew that.

The matron lit up. “Yes! Today is our annual charity day with one of our longtime sponsors. Mr. Vincent Cole and his family host a fundraiser and spend the afternoon with the children.”

Felix watched as suited guards stepped out of the first car, scanning the area. “Sounds like a worthy cause,” he said thoughtfully. “Would they mind... one more friend? I could be your guest. This kind of gathering might just be my thing. And who knows, I may leave something extra behind if the vibe is right.” He chuckled lightly. This was mission all along. To get to this fundraiser and find more about Amelia, the girl his boss had asked him to find.

The matron’s eyes widened again, hopeful and delighted. “Of course! You are welcome to stay, sir. The children would be thrilled. David especially, he seemed to really like you. Why don’t you be his guest instead?”

Felix nodded. “He’s a good lad. I’d be honored. You go ahead with your preparations. I’ll walk around a bit more before the event begins.”

“I’ll send David over to you. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled.” She shook his hand and walked briskly back toward the main tent.

Once alone, Felix pulled out his phone. The convoy had stopped completely. From one of the cars stepped Vincent Cole, distinguished in a navy-blue suit, his silver hair slicked back, walking with casual confidence. Behind him, Viviana Cole stepped out, flawless in a lavender dress and nude heels, her hair swept up in a loose bun. Always poised. Always in control.

But it was the girl who emerged last that made Felix pause, Amelia. She was the reason he was here.

She wore a simple pink-and-yellow floral dress, cinched at the waist, with flat nude shoes. Her black hair fell loosely past her shoulders. No diamonds, no dramatic makeup. Just soft beauty and stillness. Now he understood why his boss was crazy for her. Even without make-up and jewelry, she still stood out from the crowd.

Felix raised his phone and took a quick photo of her alone as she stepped away from the others.

He forwarded it to his boss with the message:

“Your money is paying off. Is that her?”

The reply came almost instantly:

“It really is her” followed by a clapping emoji.

Felix was still composing a response when a voice suddenly rose near him.

“...I have a surprise for her,” Viviana was saying into her phone, standing only a few feet away, her back to him. She hadn’t noticed him there

“She doesn’t seem to get the hint to leave us alone, but this time I’ll humiliate her in front of the whole family and friends,” Viviana continued, a chuckle escaping her. “Don’t worry, I’ll wait for you. I can’t let you miss all the fun… Okay, see you soon. Mwah!”

She hung up and turned away, heading toward the main event tent with a victorious grin painted on her face.

Felix’s brow furrowed. He tucked his phone away, disturbed. He wasn’t sure what Viviana had planned, but it clearly wasn’t just charity on her mind.

“Sir!” a cheerful voice said behind him.

Felix turned to see David again, grinning. “Should we take the David tour? It’s much fun than the matron tour. I’ll show you all the secret places!”

Felix nodded and laughed heartily. “Of course. Lead the way, Captain David!”

But his mind wasn’t on the dormitories or the playground anymore. It was on the girl in the floral dress... and the trap just being set..