Unbeknownst to Melon, Zayden had sinister plans. The moment he stepped away, his accomplices were set to enact a dreadful scheme, intending to hand Melon over to human traffickers.

As Zayden prepared to leave, Melon reached out, clutching Zayden's sleeve with a look of earnest pleading in his eyes. "Uncle Zayden, will you come back?" he asked, his voice tinged with vulnerability.

Zayden paused, momentarily taken aback. Patting Melon's head with a reassuring smile, he replied, "Of course. I returned just now, didn't I?"

This seemed to comfort Melon, who nodded and released Zayden's sleeve.

With genuine affection, he said, “I'll be here waiting. I've had such fun with you today. I hope we can spend more time together in the future."

Melon's eyes, clear and hopeful, were fixed on Zayden.

For a brief moment, Zayden felt a twinge of softness at the sight of Melon's innocent gaze. However, he quickly suppressed this fleeting sentiment.

Despite Melon's endearing nature, he reminded himself of the boy's relation to Holden.

His resolve hardened. His tasks required a lack of compassion.

With a smile still playing on his lips, Zayden ruffled Melon's hair and walked away, feigning a trip to the restroom.

Upon reaching his destination, he planned to signal his accomplices, who were lurking nearby, ready to enact their grim plan.

Reaching into his pocket for his phone, he found it missing.

Puzzled, he searched again but to no avail. As frustration began to set in, a knock sounded at the bathroom door.

Annoyed, Zayden called out, “Who's there?"

The response came in Melon's familiar, youthful voice. "Uncle Zayden, why haven't you come out yet? I've been waiting for a long time."

"Damn it! Why was he here?" Zayden grumbled to himself, then quickly changed his tone, saying, "Be right there."

With a neutral expression, Zayden opened the bathroom door and glanced down at Melon.

Melon, looking up with a sweet smile, took Zayden's phone from behind his back and offered it to him. "Uncle Zayden, I found your phone outside. I used it to call Mom to come get me. She said she'll be here soon. You're not mad, right?"

Zayden couldn't help but snicker silently.

This kid was just like his dad. They were hard to handle and clever.