Chapter 6: This is... Quintus's Daughter?

Oasis Inn was a well-known private restaurant in Phoenix, providing attentive service and a menu that excelled in presentation, aroma, and taste. It was only open for reservation to high-end customers, and booking required at least a month in advance. Elene managed to secure a reservation with some connections just yesterday. The restaurant's interior was elegantly decorated, with screens separating each table. A small wooden door was placed in front, and the absence of a ceiling allowed the hanging lamps above to create a cozy atmosphere during dinner, reminiscent of the ambiance of ancient scholars sharing wine beneath the moon. As they entered and took their seats at a round table, the waiter promptly brought out the dishes. Chloe, concerned that the little girl beside her might feel uneasy, focused her attention entirely on her. She occasionally helped her with food and wiped her mouth. Daniel and Leo sat on her other side. Seeing the chubby cheeks of the little girl, they found her adorable and attentively peeled shrimp for her. The neighboring table then began a faint discussion, "Have you heard that the Ellington family's little princess is missing. The Ellington family has dispatched numerous personnel, turning Phoenix upside down, and still, no trace of her!" Another voice, sounding somewhat cautious, replied, "Could she have been kidnapped? The perpetrator must be quite audacious. That girl is the apple of Quintus's eye. If anyone dares to harm her, it's truly seeking death..." Upon hearing Quintus's name, Chloe unconsciously slowed down her movements, feeling a bit distracted. The discussion next door continued, "Indeed, although the little princess is a mute and has never spoken all her life, she can't escape her good fortune. What an excellent fate she inherited!" Mute? A hint of astonishment flashed in Chloe's eyes, and she completely stopped what she was doing. Quintus's precious little princess was a mute. The little girl Chloe found has never uttered a word. The demeanor and attire of the little girl indeed befit the status of the Ellington family. Moreover, the voice of the man on the phone just now... Thinking of this, Chloe forcefully suppressed the shock in her heart and glanced at the child sitting on her left. The little girl seemed to sense something, lifted her gaze, and met Chloe's eyes, filled with puzzlement. Locking eyes, Chloe felt as if a thunderbolt had struck her, saying, "This little girl... could she be Quintus's daughter?" Elene also stopped eating, staring at the little girl for a few seconds. A sinking feeling weighed on her heart, and she expressed with a hint of optimism, "It can't be that coincidental, right?" As Chloe's closest friend, Elene was well aware of everything that happened six years ago. The little girl appeared to be around five or six years old, similar in age to Daniel and Leo. If she was indeed Quintus's daughter, it could only mean that after Chloe divorced him, Quintus wasted no time and had a daughter with another woman! Could he have been in such a rush? Elene couldn't help but feel sorry for her friend if this were true. Unaware of Elene's thoughts, Chloe contemplated everything that had happened since she found the little girl. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became that this was Quintus's daughter. For a moment, her expression turned unpleasant. "I think it's just that coincidental." Seeing her so certain, Elene's heart sank, too. She glanced at the bewildered little girl and lowered her voice to ask Chloe, "So, what do we do now? Quintus is probably on his way." Chloe's expression remained uncertain. After a moment, she took out her phone and handed it to Elene, saying, "Hold onto my phone. Later, just say you made the call. I'll take Daniel and Leo to the parking lot and wait for you." Elene nodded in understanding. Chloe glanced at the little girl beside her, who still hadn't fully grasped the situation, and couldn't help but soften. "I'll leave this little one to you." After a brief reminder, she turned to her two boys. "Let's go." Daniel and Leo didn't ask many questions; they obediently got up and followed. As Chloe passed by the little girl, a small hand grabbed onto the hem of her clothes. She looked back at the little girl with complex eyes. The girl clung tightly to her clothes, her big eyes filled with panic. Seeing her pitiful appearance, Chloe couldn't bear to be too harsh. Regardless of whatever happened between her and Quintus, the child was innocent. In the end, Chloe consoled her, "I have to go for something important. This lady will take care of you. Be a good girl and wait here; your Daddy will be here soon." Having said that, she somewhat cruelly pulled away from the little girl's grip and briskly left the private room without looking back. Simultaneously, Elene hastily had the excess tableware removed. Shortly after the waiter cleared the dishes, the wooden door was pushed open. A group of neatly dressed bodyguards, in synchronized formation, lined up on both sides, leaving a clear passage in the middle. Seeing this, Elene subconsciously straightened up, attempting to maintain composure as she gazed at the entrance. She observed Quintus's stern face, walking purposefully with long strides from the outside.