Chapter 156: Mabel Spills the Beans, Begging Marcus for Shelter
The man grunted in response, not a trace of irritation in his tone.
But she was nerves.
She tried shifting her weight, only to lose her footing –
When a steady hand caught her mid–fipeout.
His gravelly voice rumbled near her ear.
“Watch your step.”
With some unseen trick, he cleared the steam like magic, illet
Gemma’s gaze snapped up to Cassius‘ bare torso, water droplets racing down his carved abs.
She whipped her head away, cheeks burning like a damn traffic light.
Totally missing the smolder in his eyes that he quickly banked.
Though his roughened breathing spilled the tea.
“Get in. Submerge everything but that stubborn head of yours.”
Gemma fumbled with her massage tools.
Taking deep breaths to cool her jets.
Maybe Cali was right – she needed to get laid ASAP.
This dry spell was messing with her mojo.
Cassius sank into the tub.
Herbal brew was lapping at his scarred back.
Steam–pinked and dewy–eyed from the soak.
The usual ice–cold demeanor was gone, replaced by some demonic charm.
Dude looked like a twisted villain straight out of a movie.
Gemma white–knuckled her tools, going into full zen mode.
“Squeal if it hurts. I need to map your pressure points.”
He gave a curt nod.
When Gemma worked, her focus was laser–sharp.
You could see straight through those baby–deer eyes.
Post–scalp massage, Cass felt like he’d mainlined Red Bull.
He rocked a silk robe with that untouchable vibe again.
Shawn had tea and herbal snacks ready, waving them over.
Gemma grabbed her coat.
“Gonna fetch Noah.”
Shawn called after her, “Take my wheels!”
She flashed a smile and went out.
“Yo Cass, the treated you like she did that old geezer?”
Shawn shuddered, having flashbacks to creep bloody movies from his childhood traumas.
Thinking again that Cassius endures such torment daily.
Sympathy surged instantly.
Cassous shoq umr a look that screamed “are you an idiot?*
He then picked up a pastry and took a small, deliberate bite.
The batter medicinal flavor assaulted his senses.
Yet his expression remained unreadable.
Shawn gave an approving thumbs up.
“You’ve got nerves of steel, that’s why you can take the poison!”
Cassius.
After a weighted pause.
Setting
16.10
Chapter 156: Mabel Spills the Beans, Begging Marcus for Shelter
He shifted the subject.
“I invited her to join the Al robotics initiative.”
Shawn’s teacup clattered to the table.
Am I hearing things?
Cassius leveled him with an intense gaze.
“You heard correctly.”
Shawn’s energy spiked.
‘Gem’s completely naive! Those people are arrogant snakes with shady tactics. You’re taking advantage of her innocence!”
He planted hands on hips.
He was feeling ten feet tall with self–righteousness.
“Listen here, I’m Gem’s family on her side. I’ll— I’ll— I—”
“She accepted.”
What the hell?
His bravado deflated.
Gem… walking straight into the wolf’s den.
Alas.
But realization soon struck.
“Wait–you promised the higher–ups you’d fully commit to research after handling the Raven family affairs.”
“You’re worried they’ll bully Gem after we leave, so you’re taking her with us?”
Cassius finished his pastry with practiced calm, offering no reply.
Mabel was returned to her apartment.
The entire ride, she trembled like a trapped animal, certain Derick’s enforcers would drag her to punishment.
Though the car was warm, icy dread seeped into her bones.
Marcus observed her deteriorating state with growing suspicion.
Having dated Mabel for years, he recognized the signs.
This was her guilty tell–the same panic she’d shown in college after plagiarizing that thesis.
He’d once pulled strings to bury that scandal, saving her from expulsion.
He waited until they entered the apartment before slamming her onto the couch.
“What did you do today?”
“N–nothing!”
Mabel’s pallid lips trembled as she clawed at the couch fabric.
Terror choked her throat.
‘Mabell
His eyes narrowed. An idea hit him.
“You mess with Gemma?
He gripped her shoulders.
Matal flanchard like a startled bird against the couchback.
1-1-1-
Her whatened lips and icy hands betrayed her.
“Materi
Marcus’s gair turned arctic, fingers digging cruelly,
The pain shocked Mabel into momentary clarity,
She met his eyes-
She found herself drowning in their merciless depths.
‘Max…….
She coughed dryly, tears welling
Where he’d once melted at her distress…
Chapter 156: Mabel Spills the Beans, Begging Marcus for Shelter
Marcus now stared through her anguish.
“Talk.”
“Let go!”
She struggled weakly, earning a humorless laugh.
“You’re scared.”
“You’re terrified, Mabel!”
He recalled her shadowing Gemma at the gala’s start, fury igniting.
“Say it! What’d you DO to Gemma?!”
He itched to warn Gemma, telling her to be careful.
But Gemma was extremely disappointed in him, and if he didn’t have any evidence, she wouldn’t believe his words at all.
Thinking about it…
His eyes became fierce.
“I’ll give you one last chance, and tell me the truth now, or…”
His voice turned arctic.
She shook like a leaf.
“Max! Max! I had no choice!! They made me do it!”
She finally cracked, ugly–crying.
Sering
