Tangled in his Obsession novel Chapter 90

Seraphina shot Yasmina a small grin, ready to jet, but then she remembered something. "Where's Valerio?"

Yasmina pointed towards the lounge, and Seraphina headed that way.

Keen was just stumbling out as they crossed paths, and Seraphina strode straight in.

Yasmina caught sight of Keen and couldn't resist showing off her wristwatch. "Mr. Reynolds always on the dot, never an exception."

"Just get in there," Keen grumbled, not even glancing at the lounge.

Yasmina knocked and went in to find Leandro just settling down behind his desk. She was about to take her usual spot behind him to take meeting notes when Leandro waved her off. "Sit opposite me."

Yasmina hesitated, then sat down with her laptop, sneaking glances at Leandro but unable to spot any difference from his usual self.

The video call bell chimed again, and Leandro picked up, quickly exchanging hellos with the person on the other end.

But Yasmina was lost in thoughts. Seraphina had left, so what was she missing across the desk?

Meanwhile, Seraphina met an expectant Valerio in the lounge and gave him an apologetic shrug. "Your dad's just too busy; I didn't get a chance to ask him. But I promise you, even if he doesn't spill the beans, I'll help you find out who your mom really is."

Valerio looked at her, clearly disappointed but full of hope.

Seraphina extended her pinkie. "Let’s pinkie swear."

Valerio stared at her pinkie for a while, then finally reciprocated.

After leaving the Reynolds Group, Seraphina headed straight home.

Terrell had sent her the decoded chip data, and she dove right into it as soon as she was home.

She turned the screen brightness all the way up, analyzing the surveillance footage frame by frame.

She must've watched the three-minute video dozens of times.

The information Leandro provided provided a new lead. If she could spot Balch in the surveillance, even a hint would do.

Staring at the screen for so long made her eyes water, and she finally leaned back.

Through the tears, she thought she saw Balch's face.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Seraphina snapped out of it, quickly shutting her laptop, wiping her tears, and answering the door.

Balch was there, takeaway bags in hand. He had been smiling, but his face fell when he saw Seraphina. "What's up?"

Seraphina rubbed her red eyes and laughed it off. "Nothing; I just got something in my eye."

Balch came in, put the bags on the table, and turned to her. "That's a lame excuse, don't you think?"

Seraphina laughed, then sighed. "I’m actually pretty tough inside."

Balch leaned against the table, nodded, and waited for her to continue.

"But," Seraphina paused, then added, "there are some topics we can’t discuss."

Balch glanced at her laptop, then pulled her closer. "Tell me."

"I don’t want to talk about it," Seraphina answered flatly.