Chapter 305: So how much is a heartfelt promise worth? Then pay up.
Aliyah took a cautious step back.
He then eyed the man in front of him warily.
The guy looked to be in his forties, hair graying at the temples.
Very deep smile lines around his eyes.
His skin was darkened from the sun, like he spent most of his days outdoors.
He wore something that looked like a butler’s uniform–kind of like the ones the Wilsons‘ house staff wore–but something felt… off.
The brand logo on his clothes didn’t look quite right.
Cheap knockoff vibes.
Alijah might be young, but he wasn’t dumb.
Especially with all the “stranger danger‘ talks they’d been getting at school lately.
Without a second thought, he turned and bolted.
No way this guy was from the Doltons. Their butler wouldn’t be looking this rough.
“Hey, you little brat! Why the hell are you running?”
The man snapped, suddenly pissed. He lunged forward and scooped Alijah right off the ground.
Alijah started thrashing like crazy, yelling at the top of his lungs.
“Help! Help! Kidnapper! He’s trying to take me!”
“Help me! Please!”
A few parents and teachers nearby turned immediately, alarmed.
The man realized he’d screwed up and tried to make a break for it.
Too late. He barely made it a few steps before someone blocked his path.
“Move, damn it!” he barked, full of rage.
But-
In the next second-
Aaagh! It hurts! Ow ow ow!”
He let out a bloodcurdling scream as someone twisted his arm hard.
Aljah wriggled free and jumped down, scrambling away.
A crowd quickly gathered around them.
One of the kindergarten teachers rushed over and wrapped Alijah in her arms, heart still racing. ‘Sweetie, are you hurt?”
Alijah shook his head
Tim okay, just really scared.
The police arrived soon after and took the man into custody.
The teacher then led Alijah over to the man who’d stepped in to help. “Thank you so much. You saved him.”
The man smiled modestly. He was dressed in casual clothes, soft–spoken, polite. A quiet grace about him.
I was actually here to pick up the young master.”
The teacher frowned “And you are…?
He pulled out his credentials.
“Lonnie, the Doltons butler. His parents couldn’t make it today, so I came in their place.”
Not only did he have an ID, he also had a signed authorization letter.
Still, the teacher wasn’t taking chances–she called Marcus right away.
Marcus was in the middle of a work crisis. Something had gone wrong with the company’s logistics chain, and they were facing a massive compensation dill
He was neck–deep trying to sort it out.
When he saw the call from the kindergarten, he immediately stepped aside and rubbed his temples.
Did Ali do something he asked, voice tight.
Dooms butler Lonnue
Setting
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Chapter 303: So how much is a heartfelt promise worth? Then pay up.
“Yeah, if he’s there, let him take Alijah home.”
Of course, Marcus knew about the sudden press conference earlier that day.
Doltons had officially announced Gemma’s retum.
What caught him off guard was that the very first thing Gemma did upon returning was make a move for custody.
All that pretending she didn’t want the kid, acting like she wanted nothing to do with them it had all been an act. A setup to throw him and Margaret off.
Still, maybe this wasn’t such a bad thing. After all, he had already filed for custody himself in a fit of anger. The hearing was coming up soon.
His biggest worry had been that Gemma genuinely didn’t care anymore.
If that were true, then everything he’d fought for would’ve been meaningless,
But now? He actually let out a laugh.
She really had changed,
Even managed to fool him.
There’d be a mediation before court he’d finally get to talk to her properly.
Even if they didn’t get back together–right away, they could at least sort out visitation. Spend time together again.
That was all he really wanted..
After all, once you get used to seeing someone around… they kind of stick.
Maybe over time, for Alijah’s sake, she’d come back.
Marcus still believed–deep down, Gemma had feelings for him.
She’d just been hurt.
He hung up feeling lighter, a strange kind of peace washing over him.
But that peace didn’t last long.
Just as he returned to his desk and signed a few documents, the office door swung open.
Mabel stormed in, marching right up to him.
“Why haven’t you called me lately? Don’t you even care about our baby?”
Marcus glanced at her belly, some unreadable thought flickering through his eyes.
Then he looked away, expression guilty and tired.
“What are you doing here?“,
“You won’t reach out, so I came to you!” she snapped.
She’d been doing fine with Jarrett, but ever since the whole Gemma mess, Jarrett had been too busy to even see her.
One after another, all her plans were unraveling, and it was all Gemma’s fault.
“I don’t care what’s on your plate. You’re coming with me to this checkup. I’m not going alone again.”
“The nurses always ask if my husband’s coming, and it’s humiliating having to lie.”
Marcus sighed, exasperated.
“Then don’t say anything. Probably the smartest thing you’ve done. You know exactly where you stand–so stop inaking this harder than it needs to
be”
Mabel froze, stunned.
They’d fought before, sure.
But he’d never talked to her like this.
Never this cold. This cruel.
It felt like he didn’t care about her at all anymore.
“Marcus, how can you be so heartless? Don’t forget what you promised mel”
People say all kinds of things when they’re in the heat of the moment.
Marcus thought back–yeah, he’d made her some promises.
But honestly? He couldn’t even remember what they were. It was probably just sweet talk to keep her around.
Now, though, she was clearly angling for something inore.
“Cut to the chase. What do you want?” he said, voice flat.
His good mood from earlier was already gone.
Why hadn’t he realized sooner how exhausting Mabel could be?
Betting
Chapter 305: So how much is a heartfelt promise worth? Then pay up.
Her eyes widened.
“Is that really how you see me?”
“Spare me the drama. You know I’m never going to marry you. If you want anything, speak up now–while I’m still willing to offer something.”
“Otherwise, we walk away clean, and you get nothing.”
Mabel stood frozen.
Maybe it was the hormones. Maybe the stress. Either way, her emotions spiraled.
“You said you loved me. I gave up so many dreams for you.”
“I hung on—even when I was beaten half to death because I thought you were worth it.”
“And when I finally came back… you were married.”
“You think one lame offer to ‘compensate‘ me makes up for all that?!”
Marcus rubbed his temples, head pounding.
“Are you done?”
He asked coldly.
His voice was sharp. Dangerous.
It
It sent a chill down Mabel’s spine.
She’d never seen him like this before.
As if the anger in his eyes were all physical.
Too sharp that it could nearly cut her throat.
Panic shot through her chest. She instinctively took several steps
back.
“I–I want money. And the assets. All of it.”
There was no way she was staying in that creepy old house. Margaret would drive her insane–or worse.
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