b94 /bfnb94c Original content can be found at find[?]ovel/fnb94c

b55 /bvouchers.

“After 1 wrap up here, I need to meet my niece to discuss something about Montisara. I can’t drive you home today, so please be careful on your way back.”

Stanley paused, a flicker of concern crossing his face as the thought of her going alone settled in. Then he shook his head. “Actually, I’m notfortable with you going alone. I’ll have Victor escort you.”

“I’ll be fine on my own, Mr. Saunders. Really, don’t worry,” Olivia said, her eyes crinkling into a smile. “Montisara? What happened there?”

She knew that Stanley’s niece was the tenacious police captain she had met back in Magnolia Town, so she guessed something might have happened.

“Ava hates human trafficking, hence her relentless pursuit of those cases. If you hadn’t mentioned itst time, I wouldn’t have known she’d been undercover in Magnolia Town for so long.” When Stanley talked about his niece, his face softened with unmistakable pride.

“It’s said there’s been a possible sighting near Montisara of a woman who went missing over a decade ago. Ava insists on verifying it herself.”

He sighed, “The missing woman was a graduate student. But after all these years, the chances of finding her

are slim.”

Olivia’s brow furrowed slightly. “Montisara?” she murmured under her breath. The ce was named for the vast, rugged mountains that surrounded it–a sprawling and incredibly isted region.

Flying over that endless sea of peaks felt like a shortmuter flight, highlighting how utterly cut off from the world any vige down there would be. For anyone trafficked into those forgotten viges, the chances of escape were almost zero.

“I told her it was dangerous,” Stanley said with a sigh, “but Ava is determined. She says the victims are waiting for rescue, and their families are desperate for answers.”

Worry warred with pride in his expression. “That’s just how she is. She’s been stubborn as a mule since she was little. Once she makes up her mind, no one can talk her out of it.”

Olivia frowned thoughtfully. After a moment, she asked, “Mr. Saunders, when is your niece leaving for Montisara?”

“The day after tomorrow, I believe,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “With the New Year rush, tickets are hard to get. She said that was the earliest avable.”

“Mr. Saunders,” Olivia said, her eyes lighting up as she offered him her phone, “could I have your niece’s contact information? I’ve been considering a trip to Montisara myself. It might be nice to have somepany.”

Stanley’s expression tightened. “Olivia, don’t joke about that. That ce is extremely dangerous. Trust me— stay home and wee the New Year.”

“You know me, Mr. Saunders. Telling me not to go just makes me want to even more.” Olivia’s expression

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remainedposed. A beat passed. “Her family wants her home for the New Year too.

Stanley heaved a deep sigh, knowing he was fighting a losing battle. Reluctantly, he entered Ava’s contact information into Olivia’s phone, his expression grim.

“Be careful, Olivia. ces like that, cut off from the world, breed deep suspicion of outsiders and a kind of desperation where society’s usual rules don’t apply. Promise me you won’t let anyone give you bany /btrouble over there.”

“Don’t worry about me,” Olivia replied, a faint, knowing smile touching her lips. She was far more likely to cause trouble than to get into it.

Olivia’s decision to go to Montisara stemmed from something she’d seen during her earlier livestream–a message that had scrolled across the screen:

[MISSING PERSON–REWARD: SHAWNA PETAL. Last seen 13 years ago. Master’s graduate (Engineering), Luminus University. Any information gratefully received.]

The message had appeared a few times but was quickly drowned out by the flood ofments in her busy

chat.

bAD /b