Chapter 188: Mabel’s Excuses Won’t Work–It’s Time to Step Aside
Cassius didn’t say a word.
He didn’t need to.
The other side’s reckless approach, throwing themselves into danger like that?
A typical hitman wouldn’t dare.
Only people like them would.
People willing to trade their own life to take his.
Gemma was equally shaken.
She hadn’t expected this situation to be so complicated.
Evangeline’s enemies?
Wasn’t she supposed to have died from complications during childbirth?
Even if she had enemies, wouldn’t that debt die with her?
Of course…
Cassius was Evangeline’s descendant.
But how deep could the hatred be to make them go after a child?
She looked at Cassius, a sense of worry creeping in.
If they were this ruthless, wouldn’t the future be full of dangers?
Shawn thought for a moment.
“They’ve found a good opportunity this time.”
“The church, crowded and full of distractions, made it easy to hide.”
“But now that they failed, they’ve probably disappeared into the shadows.”
Gemma quickly asked.
“What about the cars and people that fell off the cliff?”
Just as she finished speaking, a flash of fire appeared on the mountain not far off.
That had to be the spot where the vehicles fell.
Even if the people who fell weren’t dead, they sure wouldn’t survive.
That was cold–blooded.
Even after being on battlefields, even after having walked the edge of death myself, it still made her feel uneasy.
Her body shivered involuntarily.
“Gem, don’t be scared.”
Shawn noticed her fear and softly comforted her.
“See? It’s fine. Don’t worry, they can’t touch us.”
Cassius moved aside, revealing the full view of the car.
It had taken a hard hit. The back was caved in, both sides crushed, but the front still looked mostly intact.
If they hadn’t used top–quality materials when modifying it, there’s no way anyone would’ve survived today.
When Shawn saw the passenger seat crushed, he fell silent.
That meant they’d found out about Gemma’s involvement.
Even if Gemma knew nothing.
She’d become their target.
He and Cassius could take the risk
But Gemma was innocent.
“I don’t have much going on, Gem. How about I drive you to and from work?”
Gemma’s response? A quick “No thanks.”
She was a grown adult, not some kid with a set schedule.
Cassius spoke up before she could argue.
“I’ll take her.”
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Chapter 188: Mabel’s Excuses Won’t Work–It’s Time to Step Aside
Gemma blinked. “Huh?”
Wait, she didn’t ask for a ride!
She was a grown woman.
Not Noah, a little kid!
“Can I even say no?”
She raised her hand weakly.
Cassius looked at her, deadpan. “Not right now.”
“…Oh.” She let her hand drop.
Fine.
It was cold, after all.
Riding in a car might be a bit more comfortable.
She’d just call it a “doctor’s fee” for the service.
They all entered the house.
Thea had already set the table with food.
Her cooking was pretty good–color, aroma, and taste all came together.
But, with everyone lost in their own thoughts, the food didn’t seem as appetizing.
Marcus returned to he and Gemma’s house.
He had planned to go pick up Ali…
But today he was too drained and just needed some time alone.
Margaret’s rules were strict, but at least she was Ali’s grandmother. She wasn’t going to do anything drastic to him.
He flopped onto the sofa, gently rubbing his chest.
But it still felt like his blood wasn’t flowing right. Breathing felt difficult.
All he could see…
Was Gemma, always by Cassius‘ side.
At first, he hadn’t thought much of it.
But now, replaying everything in his mind, it suddenly hit him.
Cassius looked at Gemma with desire.
That was a man’s gaze, one of complete intention.
He jumped up, his thoughts racing.
Cassius wasn’t just Gemma’s protector.
No, Cassius liked Gemma!
But Gemma… she was just a village girl.
She had nothing to offer him, nothing at all.
Then it hit him.
Cassius, a man like that, would never marry Gemma.
The best–case scenario? He’d keep Gemma as a secrect lover.
If Cassius‘ future wife was understanding, maybe Gemma’s life wouldn’t be too bad.
But if that woman wasn’t so nice? Then Gemma’s future was doomed,
He couldn’t let Gemma fall like that.
Even if they couldn’t get back together, he still wanted the best for her.
He made a few calls, gathering information on Cassius‘ future spouse.
When he was done, he heard a knock at the door.
He froze
For a second, he thought it might be Gemma.
Then he scoffed
No way.
Gemma hated him now. She wouldn’t come back.
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Chapter 188: Mabel’s Excuses Won’t Work–It’s Time to Step Aside
He ignored the door.
But then he heard Ali’s voice from the window.
“Dad, open the door, Dad!”
Marcus rubbed his brow, stood up, and went to the door.
Ali was back, but it was Mabel who had brought him.
“Max”
Mabel bit her lip, looking all teary–eyed.
Her voice caught in her throat.
Marcus didn’t try to rush her out.
But he wasn’t inviting her in, either.
Mabel stood at the door, frozen for a long moment.
It was Ali who shook his arm.
“Dad, I asked Mabel to come. She promised to take me to the Universal Studios tomorrow. I wanna go, Dad.”
Ali was back to his old self, the playful tone he’d always had.
He wasn’t all stiff and serious like when he was around Margaret..
“No,” Marcus said, “You’re going back to school tomorrow.”
He’d already talked to the kindergarten, even got an earful from the teacher, but the result was good.
They agreed to let Ali go back to school.
Ali was stunned.
“What?”
Mabel quickly jumped in.
“Max, he’s still so young. Missing a few days of school won’t hurt. At this age, what matters most is his mood.”
“Look at him, he’s so excited to go play. A happy kid grows up healthy.”
It was Mabel’s usual line.
Marcus used to agree with it.
But today, the teacher at the kindergarten said the complete opposite.
At this age, kids needed to develop a sense of community, and they needed early education.
If you let them slack off, when they hit elementary school, they’d fall behind their peers.
With a good attitude, they might catch up.
With a bad one, they’d be left behind in the first grade.
He looked at Mabel, his expression cold enough to freeze.
“Mabel.”
“Max, what’s wrong?”
Marcus‘ eyes glinted with a sharpness that could cut through steel.
“Are you really doing this for Ali’s sake?”
“Of course!” Mabel’s eyes welled up with tears. “I love Ali, and I take good care of him. If not, why would Ali be so dependent on me?”
