The request hung in the air, and Anthony felt a surge of tension ripple through him.  He fought to maintain his composure, keeping his expression neutral.  “A sketch artist?  Why do you think you need that?” he asked, his tone casual, but inside, alarm bells were ringing.  He had a sinking feeling he knew where this was headed.
 
Leila took a deep breath, her voice lowering slightly as she continued.  “I had another dream last night.  It was different this time.  I could see his face, Daddy.  The man who was calling my name.  I think it might help me remember more about him if I can visualize it on paper.”
 
Anthony’s heart raced as he processed her words.  The last thing he wanted was for Leila to delve deeper into the mystery surrounding Gale, especially now that he was beginning to piece together the web of connections.  But he couldn’t let his daughter see his unease.  “I understand, Leila.  But are you sure this is what you want?  Dreams can sometimes be misleading.”
 
“I know,” she replied, her voice firm.  “But this feels different.  I need to know who he is.  I need to understand why he’s in my dreams.  I can’t shake the feeling that he’s significant.”
 
Anthony’s mind raced as he considered her words.  The prospect of Leila getting closer to Gale was troubling, but he also recognized the importance of supporting her needs.  “Alright, if that’s what you truly want, I’ll arrange it,” he said, masking his concern behind a practiced smile.  “But let’s take it one step at a time, okay?”
 
Leila nodded, relief washing over her.  “Thank you, Daddy.  I really appreciate it.”
 
As she returned to her breakfast, Anthony’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.  He needed to tread carefully.  Leila was searching for answers, and he was determined to protect her, even if it meant venturing into dangerous territory.  The tension in his chest remained, a reminder that the truth was far more complicated than either of them could comprehend...
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The underground office was a stark contrast to the opulence of the mansion above.  Dim lights flickered overhead, casting shadows across the walls lined with files and photographs.  Anthony Blackburn leaned against his desk, his expression serious as he spoke with a trusted and loyal private investigator named Marcus.
 
“Marcus, I need you to dig deep into Gale Montserrate’s new girlfriend, Isla,” Anthony instructed, his voice low and steady.  “We need to know everything about her—her background, her connections, her daily activities.  I want to understand who she really is and what her relationship with Gale entails.”
 
Marcus nodded, his notepad ready as he jotted down the details.  “Understood.  I’ll start with her social media profiles and any public records I can find.  Do you have any specific concerns about her?”
 
Anthony crossed his arms, his mind racing with the possibilities.  “She’s connected to Leila in a way that raises my suspicions.  The fact that she donated blood to save my daughter’s life is one thing, but I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to her story.  We need to know if she’s a distraction or if there’s something deeper at play here.”
 
“Got it.  I’ll look into her history, her family, and any potential ties to Gale,” Marcus replied, his brow furrowing in concentration.  “And what about their relationship?  Do you want me to track their movements together?”
 
“Yes,” Anthony said, his voice firm.  “I want to know what they’re doing, where they’re going.  If there’s any indication that Gale is trying to manipulate the situation or keep secrets from me, I want to be the first to know.  This is about protecting Leila.”
 
Marcus nodded, understanding the weight of the task.  “I’ll start tonight.  I’ll gather as much information as I can and keep you updated.  If there’s anything suspicious, you’ll be the first to hear about it.”
 
“Good,” Anthony replied, his expression hardening.  “I trust you, Marcus.  Leila’s safety is my priority, and I won’t let anyone, not even Gale, come between me and my daughter.  We’ll figure out what’s really going on, no matter the cost.”
 
As Marcus left to begin his investigation, Anthony felt a surge of determination.  He was prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead, armed with the knowledge that would help him protect Leila from any potential threats.  The pieces of the puzzle were slowly coming together, and he was resolved to uncover the truth, no matter how dark it might be...
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The restaurant was bathed in soft light, the air filled with the aroma of fine dining.  Leila and Gale sat across from each other, a comfortable silence settling between them.  But Leila noticed Gale’s quietude, a subtle shift in his demeanor that hinted at something unspoken.
 
“Gale, is something bothering you?” she asked gently, her hand reaching across the table to cover his.  “Is there anything I can do to help?”
 
Gale looked up, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and trepidation.  He hesitated for a moment before responding, his voice barely a whisper.  “Leila, I need to ask you something… something important.”  He paused, taking a deep breath, as if gathering the courage to ask his question.  “Tell me about your family… your parents.”
 
Leila’s hand tightened around his, a sense of unease settling over her.  She knew this question held a deeper significance, a subtle undercurrent that hinted at something hidden, something that Gale had been keeping from her.  “I grew up in an orphanage,” she replied softly, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.  “I never knew my biological parents.  I don’t even know who they were or why they left me.”
 
Gale listened intently, his gaze fixed on her face, his expression unreadable.  A storm raged within him, a conflict between his desire to protect Isla and his growing suspicion that Leila might be connected to her in some way.  The coincidence of Leila’s blood type matching Isla’s was more than just a coincidence; it was a disturbing clue that he couldn’t ignore.  He needed more information, a concrete answer to the questions that were plaguing him.  And there was only one way to find out.