Chapter 152 Side Quest: Child Abductor

Seeing the look of grievance and doubt on Deacon Anthony's face, Reverend Martin quickly adopted a compassionate expression and lowered his voice to say:

"Anthony, I know your devotion to God and your love for the church, and that you cannot allow heretics to defile the sacred church. However, everything on your path of seeking the truth is God's arrangement. Aren't these people's appearances precisely God's tests for us?"

"What a great achievement it would be if we could subdue these people and make them truly devout believers in God! Our souls would surely be rewarded by God."

As he spoke, Pastor Martin abruptly changed the subject and continued:

"Of course, even if Wayne really wanted to join our church, he would need the unanimous consent of all eight elders on the council. They are the true masters of the Church of the Witness for the Gospel..."

If Wayne can't handle those elders, then it's none of his business.

Moreover, these eight elders were different from him; they were people with some social standing in Seattle.

Coercion and extortion alone will not work.

Then Wayne, the street psychic, will understand that not everyone has the right to enter the church hierarchy.

In fact, charity itself is a manifestation of power.

Deacon Anthony showed a hint of surprise, then smiled slightly and said:

"Pastor Martin, you mean...?"

Martin shook his head and said:

"I didn't say anything; it's all God's arrangement. Anthony, get ready for tonight's charity gala."

……

After leaving the Church of the Gospel Witness, Wayne did not return to the tent on the street, but instead took Rod and Karina to the King County Child Protective Service Regional Office.

He was still a little uneasy about letting others handle matters related to his child; he felt it was safer to get his child back himself.

The King County Regional Office of Child Protective Services is under the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), which is the sole authority in charge of foster care for children throughout Washington State.

The King County Child Protection Service Regional Office is the local implementing agency of the state department, responsible for the recruitment, licensing, placement, and daily services of foster families in the area.

Accompanied by Mike and David, the five of them quickly arrived at the agency's office.

There were already quite a few people waiting in the waiting area outside the office.

Rhodes and Karina were filled with gratitude for Wayne, and Rhodes looked at Wayne as if he were looking at a monarch he served.

Wayne saved him from the brink of collapse and his entire family.

He can do anything for the saints if needed.

"Mr. Rhodes." A woman who looked like a secretary walked out of the office and called out to the waiting area.

Rod and Karina immediately took the letter of introduction from the church, Rod's employment certificate, and the brand-new rental contract, and walked into the office together.

Wayne, Mike, and David waited outside.

Just a few minutes after Rhodes and the others went inside, Karina's angry shouts and uncontrollable sobs came from the room.

Then came Rhodes' roar.

Clearly, getting their children back will be far more difficult than they had imagined.

Wayne stood up and said:

"Let's go take a look."

As they spoke, he pushed open the office door and led Mike and David inside.

There was a DCYF official and a social worker in the office.

The official, a white male with eyeshadow and purple nail polish, was frowning as he spoke:

"Mr. Rhodes, I hope you and your wife can respect the law and the system. Given your current state, your mental health is unstable, and for the sake of the children, it's difficult for me to return them to you."

"Stable?" Rhodes roared. "How am I supposed to be stable? You took my child away in a single day, and now that I want my child back, you're telling me it'll take at least three to six months?! What kind of fucking reunion plan are we talking about?"

The DCYF official, wearing a professional smile, said:

"According to regulations, DCYF will work with you, your lawyer, and social workers to develop a reunification plan. You must complete all relevant requirements, including drug rehabilitation, psychological counseling, stable housing, parenting classes, and family planning, before you can take your child back."

"I hope you can understand, Mr. Rhodes, all of this is for the protection of the children. The plan will be approved by the juvenile court and must be strictly followed."

Rhodes said angrily:

"I have never committed any domestic violence! I have never used drugs! You took the child away just because of the so-called housing assessment, but now I have a stable job, I have a house, and I even have a letter of introduction from the church!"

"Please cooperate fully with the social worker throughout this process, communicate progress in a timely manner, and do not miss any meetings or hearings."

"Of course, given your current mental state..." The official shook his head slightly, "I find it difficult to approve your family reunification plan..."

Within 72 hours of a child being placed in foster care, a shelter hearing will be held, where a judge will decide whether to continue foster care.

Within 60 days of placement, a hearing will be held to determine the child's dependency status and whether to approve the reunification plan.

Every six months thereafter, there will be a review hearing where a judge will check the progress and update the plan.

Hearing the other party's resolute words, Rod felt a sense of powerlessness, as if he had punched cotton.

His wife, Karina, wept bitterly beside him. The hope that had just been ignited was almost instantly dashed, and her longing for her child intensified.

Rhodes's anger and sorrow had been building up to a boiling point, almost bursting at the sea, when just then, a hand landed on his shoulder, followed by a gentle voice:

"Andrew, how much did you sell the two children for?"

It's Mr. Wayne's voice!

Rod quickly looked up and saw that Mr. Wayne had appeared behind him at some point.

As Wayne questioned him, Andrew, the DCYF official in front of him, instantly lost his composure, his panic visibly evident, followed by anger, and he shouted:

"What are you saying? Who are you? Security! Security! Throw this man out!"

Wayne looked calmly at the man with eyeshadow in front of him, reached out and grabbed the man's wrist, and slowly said:

"Listen to me, Andrew, children need their own parents, just as you will beg my forgiveness."

[Andrew Victor, an enforcer of the Dark Court, has long profited from the abduction and sale of child custody rights. He is also involved in the child trafficking network in the Demon Realm dungeon, scouting and purchasing children for the Dark Court's higher-ups. Some of the children's information is stored on his personal computer.]

[You have initiated the side quest: Child Abductor. You seem to have lifted a corner of the corrupt veil of the Dark Court, uncovering some unimaginable truths. Rescue the abducted children, and you will receive a reward.]

~

(I thought I was almost fully recovered, but I'm still feeling particularly weak and sweating a lot today. I'll try to update more after I recover a bit. Please wait a little longer, brothers.)