“Scar, find me a skilled pickpocket, someone with real expertise. I’ve got a job for them.”
On the other side, Barry was negotiating the division of money with Monica. “Mom, I don’t need half. Give me a hundred grand, okay? You’re so eager for a grandchild, and finding a wife costs money,” Barry pleaded with a greedy expression.
When it came to money, Monica was no fool. She replied, “I haven’t liked any of those girlfriends you’ve brought home. I’ve already had someone look for a suitable match for you. We’ll take you to meet her when we get back. But let me tell you in advance, don’t be too picky!”
At the mention of a potential match, Barry immediately perked up. “Mom, what does she look like? Do you have a picture?”
“Barry, looks don’t matter; what matters is that the girl’s family is wealthy. They won’t mistreat you,” Monica advised.
Barry looked a bit troubled. “Mom, your son is handsome; I don’t want to marry a dinosaur. After all, we’ll be sharing a bed after we get married, and if I have to face a dinosaur every day, I’ll be scared to death.”
“You brat, you don’t understand. It’s the same in the dark!” Keith suddenly chimed in.
Barry grinned mischievously. “Dad, are you saying Mom is ugly?”
Feeling the intense hostility emanating from his wife, Keith kicked Barry’s butt from the backseat. “You little rascal, do you want to frame you father?”
Leo pulled up in the car, and Barry opened the front passenger door, casually hopping in.
Since the Mercedes’ headlights were still broken and hadn’t been fixed, Barry didn’t contest Leo for the driver’s seat this time.
During the drive, Leo remained silent, which Barry found uncomfortable. He cast a contemptuous side-eye at Leo and said, “Leo, although you married into the wealthy Henley family, I think you have it pretty good. Having a beautiful woman like Sophia as your wife, your life must be a breeze, right?”
Leo didn’t respond.
“Leo, I’m talking to you. Are you deaf?” Barry asked.
Suddenly, Leo said, “Do you guys hear that buzzing noise inside the car, like a mosquito or something?”
“You!” Barry may have looked down on Leo, but he didn’t dare to lay a hand on him. He could only try to outwit him verbally.
Monica, sitting in the back, teased, “Leo, you’ve been part of the Henley family for four years now. How much have you saved in your secret stash?”
Leo fired back, “What’s wrong, Auntie? Are you so broke that you want to tap into my secret savings?”
This comment left Monica speechless.
The banter continued as they drove until they reached the train station.
As Keith, Monica, and Barry were getting off the train, Leo kindly reminded, “Aunt, make sure you keep an eye on the money. I heard there are lots of pickpockets on trains. Don’t let them steal your money.”
“Leo, shut your mouth!” Monica snapped angrily, then got out of the car and slammed the door with her backpack in hand.
Leo watched them walk away from the car, eagerly anticipating Monica’s expression when she discovered the money was gone. Unfortunately, he could only imagine it.
Just as Keith and the others entered the train station, a group of people, having compared photos on their phones, identified their target.
In a sleeper compartment on the train, Monica tightly clutched her backpack. Although she felt exhausted, her eyes were wide open. Thinking about the thirty thousand dollars in her bag, she repeated to herself that she couldn’t fall asleep, not even for a moment. She had to keep the money safe until she got off the train.
On the opposite bunk, Keith was already sleeping and occasionally snoring.
Above Keith was Barry, who had earphones in, listening to music with his eyes closed.
Monica, struggling against drowsiness, suddenly detected a strange smell. Then, her eyelids felt as heavy as two large weights, and she closed her eyes, falling into a deep slumber.
When the train reached its final destination, a train attendant woke up the family.
A panicked Monica, upon waking, immediately checked her backpack, only to find that it was incredibly light. She frantically unzipped it and nearly fainted when she saw that the bag that had contained three hundred thousand dollars was now empty.
“My money!” Monica cried out in shock.
Keith and Barry who were drowsy immediately snapped to attention upon hearing Monica’s cries.
Barry swiftly jumped down from the top bunk and grabbed Monica’s backpack. With a quick glance inside, he confirmed that it was indeed empty.
“Mom, where’s the money?” Barry exclaimed in a panic.
Seeing the bewildered expression on his mother’s face, Barry grew even more agitated. “Mom, didn’t you promise Dad and me that you wouldn’t sleep? Now that you’ve lost the money, how am I supposed to find a wife?”
“Call the police, call them now!” Keith exclaimed in distress.
After the police arrived, they conducted an investigation at the scene, took statements from them, and then instructed them to go home and wait for further information.
Walking towards the station’s exit, Monica dragged her backpack, wearing a despondent expression.
On Leo’s end, Scar called, “Mr. Bloomer, everything’s been taken care of. What should we do next?”
Leo thought for a moment and said, “You take one hundred thousand, and let them split the rest among themselves. Consider it their reward for the job.”
“Mr. Bloomer, how can we accept your money? I’d rather return it all to you,” Scar replied, demonstrating his commitment to following Leo.
“Don’t bring it to me. Just do as I said. Also, make sure those pickpockets behave themselves for a while. That’s it,” Leo concluded before hanging up.
After having lunch, Leo intended to visit the Nameless Chinese Medicine Clinic, but Sophia called.
He pressed the answer button, but there was no response from the other end.
Leo’s heart suddenly tightened. He asked, “Sophia, is that you? Why aren’t you saying anything?”
“She’s not in a position to talk right now,” a man’s voice came through the phone.
“Who are you? What have you done to Sophia?” Leo asked, his voice trembling with anger.
“Leo, you’ve forgotten about me already?”
“It’s you!” Leo remembered, “Eden Dunbar!”
The man continued, “If you want to see your wife, come to the abandoned Trigger Factory in North Marleyton. It would be best if you came alone. If I hear police sirens, your wife will be in no condition to see you.”
Eden was coming for him, seeking revenge. If Sophia got hurt because of this, Leo knew he’d never forgive himself.
The engine of the Mercedes roared with fury as it sped out, like an arrow shot from a bow.
Half an hour later, accompanied by a screeching brake sound, the Mercedes came to a halt outside the gates of the abandoned Trigger Factory.