Fake heiress Real heroine

Chapter 137 Chapter 137 Now that the two groups had combined, the task force had case information and the bureau had knowledge of the border situation. Working together, they quickly identified the target.

"The local tyrants in this area number three. The most likely person involved in human trafficking is Barrow Zieger," said Marvin, projecting an image of a sturdy, bearded man with a fierce look onto a slide.

"He controls a village with an oasis, making it the wealthiest in the region. However, no one knows the source of his income. We do know that many women appear in the village each year.

"They don't look or talk like locals but refuse to admit they've been kidnapped. This has caused our several undercover operations to fail,” Marvin explained.

The task force also shared its information. "If these people are online loan victims threatened to work here, they might want to hide their identities to protect their families.

"But the village can't accommodate the large number of women who register online each year. So, sare likely sent to other areas and sold as high-value goods," said Bennett.

Marvin, touching his chin, says, "The local tyrants' protection network is always well-guarded. Direct arrests won't work.

"With just Quinlyn as bait, at most we could lock up Barrow and a few accomplices, but more Barrows would emerge tomorrow.

"The best plan is to clarify the connections between Josh, Yolanda, and Barrow, then apprehend all involved in the network." Bennett nodded. Knowing Quinlyn was safe, they felt relieved and no longer rush into action. Soon, the rareceived another Morse code message: [I'm fine. Goodnight. Sleep early.] The group was left speechless. It seemed the rais being used as a chat tool.

Local senior officials looked on with complicated expressions. After years of working with the young informant, this was the first tthey've heard such a affectionate tone from her.

Sometimes, during calls, when they heard her innocent voice, they'd instinctively tell her to be careful, ask if she was cold in winter, and offer to send clothes and food. But she always refused.

Hearing her now affectionate tone, they felt surprised and a bit wistful.

Marvin couldn't help but laugh. "Looks like she's picked up quite a bit of knowledge during her tin the city, at least she now knows all the words." He recalls that initially, when they asked Quinlyn to leave notes, she drew pictures, even scribbles, which took him ages to decipher.

It was a pity that they've never met face-to-face. All he could teach her were a few words here and there and occasionally address sof her life-related confusions.

Seeing her like this now, he was genuinely happy.

***** Meanwhile, Quinlyn had just finished modifying a broken rain the corner to send out rawaves when she turned around and saw the woman from earlier carrying a bucket of clothes, standing at the door and looking at her.

They made eye contact, and the woman quickly lowered her head, not daring to speak.

1/3 Tue, 25 Mar Chapter 137 0 Quinlyn hid the rabehind her back and walked over to help lift the plastic bucket.

No, no need. I can do it myself," the woman, whose nwas Flora, waved her hand, trying to refuse.

Quinly didn't give her the chance and asked where she usually washed clothes. Flora said it was at a small pond behind, and Quinlyn asked her to show the way.

Flora was on edge the whole tas they walked past houses and streets to a small stream at the edge of the oasis.

Upon arriving, she suddenly turned and faced Quinlyn, begging for mercy. "I really didn't see anything, and I won't tell anyone. Please letgo. I have a child at home; she can't live without me." She was about to cry when Quinlyn stopped her.

Tm just here to help you wash clothes. Quinlyn took out the clothes from the bucket, which belonged to Bill and the others.

Having grown up on the borderlands, she was quick at this task and soon had a piece of clothing cleaned.

Flora, startled, hurriedly joined in, washing while glancing at Quinlyn with a anxious expression.

It wasn't until the bucket of clothes was washed, much faster than usual with the help, that a smile appeared on Flora's face. "Where do you usually get water?" Quinlyn asked as she sat on the ground, enjoying the breeze.

"At the pond," Flora said.

"Drinking water too?" Quinlyn continued.

"Yeah." Flora's tone was light, but Quinlyn couldn't be happy as she watched the soap bubbles from the detergent flow into the pond.

Although sand and running water would filter out schemicals, long-term consumption was still harmful. This water was only for the women, while men could enter the oasis to collect clean water, and Barrow and his men drank mineral water and filtered water.

"Were your children born here?" Quinlyn asked.

"Yes, it's a girl. Her father is a carpenter in the village and treats us well." Flora's face softened as she spoke of her husband and daughter.

Quinlyn's gaze fell on Flora's rough, cracked hands as she brushed her hair, and she asked after a moment's stare, "Have you ever thought about what your daughter will be like in the future?" Flora paused in her hair-brushing, her face frozen.

Quinlyn asked, "Will her father give her water from the oasis? When she grows up, if she's pretty, can she stay here? Have you thought about it?" Quinlyn's voice was low, her eyes on the stream, as if talking to herself, but each word struck Flora's heart. "I... I won't let her leave me," Flora said.

"But you can't stop him, can you?" Quinlyn turned to her, calmly shattering her self-deception.

"I..." Flora opened her mouth, her face crumpled, and tears gushed out. "I don't know." She knew she had no say. Women here were the lowest of the low. "I don't know" was all the hope she had for her future life.

2/3 12:11 Tue, 25 Mar # Chapter 137 ki <78%

Quinlyn hadn't meant to be so cruel to her. But she had no choice; she m had to prevent Flora from informing. So she used the negotiation skills she'd learned at the base to persuade her. When Flora had finished venting her emotions, Quinlyn continued, "Actually, you could set foot on that oasis too."

Quinlyn pointed to the grassland a few yards away. "I went there in the daytime. The grass is soft, the breeze is pleasant, and I even saw people riding horses." Her description kindled a flicker of longing in Flora's eyes. But soon, Flora shook her head and said gloomily, "There are guards; we can't get in." Quinlyn looked at her, "Is what those people doing right?" Flora was stunned. Gazing into Quinlyn's clear eyes, she was momentarily at a loss. 'How long has it been since the last tI pondered right and wrong?' Here, men's words were law. Disobedience meant beatings and hunger, and right and wrong faded in importance.

"If I say I can bring you to the oasis, would you believe me?" Quinlyn held out her hand. In the moonlight, the small palm had fine lines from past farm work, now clean, full of promise. Flora looked down at it, wanting to reach out but not daring.

"I should go back to my child. Goodnight." She grabbed the clothes and ran off hurriedly.

Quinlyn let out a slow breath. Flora likely wouldn't betray her now.

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