Riches in Disguise

At first, I wasn't worried at all. However, Lynn's words soon left me feeling uneasy.

Maximus would go to any lengths for revenge, but I wasn't like him. Still, I worried he might do something crazy to me.

On top of that, I had just given Quintus the day off. Without him around, there was no way I could handle that maniac on my own.

I started thinking about staying at Lynn's place for another day. But I couldn't shake the worry that she might try to seduce me again.

As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I quickly brushed it off.

While I might have seemed rich to Lynn, she had met plenty of wealthy people. She must have seen her fair share by now. Otherwise, she wouldn't have turned Maximus down.

I was sure that last night was just an accident. With that thought in mind, I nodded and agreed with Lynn.

Lynn let out a sigh of relief. "It's good that you took my advice. I need to head out and grab a few things. There's breakfast on the table, so just help yourself.

"Riley, stay here with Mr. White."

With that, she grabbed her bag from the couch and headed out, leaving Riley and me behind at her place. I couldn't help but glance over at the young girl. To my surprise, she didn't look away this time. Instead, she shyly met my gaze.

I gave her a bright smile. "Is your name Riley?"

She nodded.

"How old are you?" I asked.

She held up six fingers.

"You're six? Does that mean you're in first grade?" I asked.noveldrama

She just shook her head. I couldn't understand why she wasn't speaking.

I became intrigued and smiled. "What's going on? Did your mom tell you not to talk to strangers? But you should have seen it earlier, right? I know your mom. We're friends. It's rude not to talk to me."

At that, Riley immediately started signing with her hands. When I realized she was using sign language, I froze. I suddenly realized that she was mute!

I quickly asked, "You can't speak, can you?"

She nodded. That confirmed it. She was indeed mute. But she could hear and understand me, so she clearly wasn't born deaf and mute.

After all, those born deaf and mute usually have issues with both speaking and hearing. I figured that her muteness must have come from a throat illness later in life.

I looked at Riley with a sense of pity. She was only six and already mute. It was truly heartbreaking to think that her life would always be lacking in simple joys.

What a poor girl! However, I didn't want her to feel worse about her own shortcomings. So, I did my best to hide any pity. I decided to change the subject to the one thing we had in-common-her mom, Lynn.

I said, "Your mom is so good to you. Your dad..."

Just as I was about to ask about her dad, Maximus' words from the night before hit me. If Lynn really had been with so many men, it would be hard to figure out who Riley's birth dad was.

I feared upsetting her, so I didn't finish my sentence.

Just then, Riley signed again. However, I couldn't understand sign language. So,

she pulled out a piece of paper and scribbled a few words.