Chapter 94 Unveiling Secrets.
Leonica’s office buzzed with the hum of fluorescent lights, a stark contrast to the unease settling in her stomach after seeing Owen’s troubled expression.
"What’s going on, Owen?" she inquired, her eyes narrowing with concern. “Talk to me, what’s wrong?” She asked again after he had remained silent for far too long, too long for Leonica’s liking.
Taking a deep breath, Owen began, "After Ashley’s birthday party, I had my doubts on the present Angelina gave him, so I had a chat with my friend, the designer of that very same figurine. He testified to a few of the figurines going missing and thought that was all, but I didn’t. From what I saw, Angelina wasn’t the friendliest of person towards you; her acting may have deceived a few people, but not me. So it didn’t make sense for a woman who clearly doesn’t have good intentions towards you to go out of her way, purchase a stolen figurine, all because she wanted to give YOUR kid a present." He paused and stared pointedly at Leonica waiting for the moment she would catch the drift.
Although she sensed something was wrong with Angelina’s action, just like back at Ashley’s birthday party when she had given him the figurine, Leonica couldn’t quite pinpoint what exactly was wrong.
“Where are you going with this?” She asked, sense of curiosity growing as much as the dread in her stomach.
“I asked around, connected the dots and pulled a few strings.” Owen pulled out his phone, opening up a batch of picture before placing it on the table and sliding it to Leonica where she now sat. The first picture was that of a purchase receipt. Leonica carefully read the receipt details while Owen explained. “A few days before Ashley’s birthday party, Angelina had the figurine delivered to her, it was apparently purchased by Stuart Campbell, irrelevant in this matter, and at least that was what I thought until I found this.” He said as he took the phone, made a few swipes and handed it back to Leonica.
Leonica’s eyes widened, realization dawning upon her after she saw a picture of the figurine Angelina had given Ashley and another figurine of the same brand. The original figurine. Comparing the two, it was obvious that the first one had been messed with.
"That can’t be good.” She muttered the obvious and Owen nodded. At once, she was on her feet, passing the phone back to Owen as she headed for the door. “I need to leave.”
Knowing this wasn’t going to end well, or even begin well, Owen stood up and quickly blocked her path, thanking the stars that brightened up the sky at night that he was taller than the female despite being younger. “Whoa, where are you going?”
Leonica squinted her eyes, silently asking if he didn’t know the answer to that question. He did, but still wanted to confirm with her before he did anything. “To confront Angelina.” She stated at once.
Her answer had earned a sigh along with a disagreeing head shake from Owen. “You can’t do that, Leonica. Look, I showed this to you so that we can avoid the situation before it happens, not cause a situation.”