Chapter 286: Tempting, But Off–Limits
Thea had just learned how to pull a bowstring.
Actually hitting a target? That was still a long way off.
So she had no idea what it felt like to land a shot.
Shawn had a point, though.
Still, she encouraged him.
“We can keep practicing. One day, we’ll get there.”
Gemma, however, was fully focused.
All she cared about was shooting. Everything else faded into the background.
Whoosh!
The arrow shot forward.
Before anyone could react,
Thea gasped.
“You hit it! You hit it!”
Gemma snapped her gaze ahead.
The arrow she’d just let loose… had actually struck the target.
“This must be a total fluke.”
She couldn’t believe it. No way this wasn’t just luck.
Cassius stepped up beside her. “When the heart is set, the goal is met.”
Gemma blinked.
Yeah.
Just now, her entire mind had been on one thing-
Drawing the bow, releasing the arrow.
Everything else ceased to exist.
“How’d you know what I was thinking?” she teased.
“You got mind–reading powers or something?”
She hadn’t expected him to answer.
But he did, voice light and easy.
“Nope. Just that people with conviction all think the same way.”
His words hit home.
Yeah… he was right. People who are truly determined–They all move like this.
“Huh. Guess I have something in common with a billionaire after all.”
Cassius chuckled, his eyes glittering like stars scattered in the dark.
“You’ll be one too.”
That got her attention.
“For real?”
Cassius nodded, utterly sure of himself.
“If I’m your teacher, I can teach you anything.”
Gemma was floored.
Was this for real?
Was she just handed a shortcut to the top!
Outside Frostspire Grand Lodge.
Marcus stood with Alijah, both frowning at the security blocking their way.
“You’re closed? And no one thought to give us a heads–up?”
Alijah raised his voice.
“I’m Mr. Digby’s student. I come here every week for archery. I have to get in.”
Setting
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Chapter 286: Tempting, But Off–Limits
The guards were firm—at first.
But the moment they heard “Digby,” their attitude flipped.
“Oh, right, Digby’s students get special access.”
“No, no, Digby’s students are special. We can’t afford to offend them.”
A quick discussion later, Marcus and Alijah were let through.
Marcus glanced at his son.
“Your archery teacher’s that impressive?”
Alijah shrugged. He’d barely attended a few lessons.
Archery wasn’t really his thing.
Gemma had signed him up, thinking it’d help with coordination.
She used to drag him there, but eventually, Mabel started sneaking him out of class.
After that, he just stopped going.
“I dunno… he’s alright, I guess?”
Seeing how much weight his teacher’s name carried, he suddenly wasn’t so sure.
If he’d known, maybe he would’ve actually paid attention in class.
Marcus considered this.
Then asked.
“So, why the sudden interest in archery today?”
Alijah looked down.
The truth? He’d overheard Noah bragging at preschool—saying he was amazing at archery.
That annoyed him.
Noah needed to be put in his place.
So here they were.
Marcus had been swamped with work, but Alijah had kicked up such a fuss that he had no choice but to drop everything and bring him to
Frostspire.
It was actually the first time Marcus had taken him to an extracurricular.
The kid had been buzzing with excitement all the way there.
If not for the security holdup, he might’ve forgotten why he came in the first place.
They didn’t have to walk far.
The student training hall was lit up.
Alijah expected to see a group of kids practicing.
Instead, he saw only the teacher… and one lone student.
His steps slowed.
Wait. That student was Noah.
Under Digby’s instruction, Noah loosed an arrow, and nailed the bullseye.
Alijah’s hands clenched. His eyes burned with jealousy.
‘Let’s go.”
Marcus, seeing that it was indeed a class, took Alijah’s hand and led him inside.
Digby noticed them enter.
Noah had just released another shot when he turned as well.
His gaze met Alijah’s.
“What are you doing here?”
Noah pressed his lips together, clearly unhappy.
Digby chuckled.
“Noah, let me introduce you. This is a student I took in before you. Technically, he’s your classmate.”
Noah snorted. “I don’t want a classmate.”
Alijah couldn’t care less about that. There was something way more important on his mind.
“Noah, who brought you here?”
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Chapter 286: Tempting, But Off–Limits
His fists tightened.
His voice nearly shook.
Noah caught on immediately.
Then he laughed.
“Obviously, Gemma did.”
Alijah nearly lost it.
Marcus, on the other hand, froze for a split second-
Then, surprisingly, his face lit up.
“Gemma?”
Without another word, he pushed Alijah forward.
“Digby, take care of him for a bit. I’ve got something to do.”
And just like that, he turned and left.
If she brought the kid, she must still be around. Probably taking a stroll nearby.
She wouldn’t actually be learning archery, would she?
But after searching the area, Marcus found nothing.
Just to check, he stepped inside the adult archery range.
It was open. And–he could hear voice
His pace quickened.
From a distance, he saw her.
But she wasn’t the same. Gone was
cone was the timid,
timid, uncertain woman he once knew.
She stood tall, her eyes sharp with focus.
Her hands, steady as steel, drew back the bowstring.
She looked like a battle–hardened warrior, effortlessly pulling the bow to its full draw.
The arrow whistled through the air-
And struck the target.
The crowd cheered.
But Gemma showed no trace of pride.
Her expression stayed serious. Unsatisfied.
She raised her bow again.
This time, the movement was even smoother–more decisive.
The arrow shot forward, so fast it left a blur.
Bullseye.
Finally, she smiled.
Thea ran up, throwing her arms around her.
“Gemma! You’re incredible! You’re my hero! You’re the best!”
“I swear, I’m gonna brag about this for the next three years!”
Gemma looked slightly uncomfortable with the sudden hug-
But she smiled all the same.
Marcus was mesmerized.
She had this side to her?
All those years trapped in the Wilson house. She had been wasted there.
He had to get her back.
The thought hit him like a lightning bolt.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward.
But before he could get close, a security guard appeared, blocking his way.
