Chapter 113: Blocked and Threatened
Gemma took a while to process everything.
It slowly dawned on her:
It must be Noah!
Noah had developed a new habit–he couldn’t miss his favorite dramas at 8 PM.
He’d picked up a bunch of lines from the shows and would often spout out a few iconic quotes.
It was like the TV shows were seeping into him, changing the way he spoke.
So, it was no surprise that Cassius was starting to sound like one of those characters.
“I guess I’ll have to educate you,” Gemma said, as she grabbed her tablet and started drawing a relationship chart.
She placed the heroine in the center, then labeled all the key characters: the main guy, the second lead, the third lead, etc.
And then, Ms. Gemma launched into her mini–lecture.
“So, the ‘Good Guy Card‘ is usually given to the second or third lead to show that, even though you’re great, I just can’t love you.”
Cassius listened while eating, occasionally nodding as she explained.
When she was done, he finally understood.
He elegantly reached for a napkin and dabbed at his mouth.
He spoke slowly.
“So, you’re not going to give me the ‘Good Guy Card‘ and I don’t need it either?”
Gemma didn’t think she would ever have a relationship issue with Cassius, so he’s right.
But something about his words felt… off. She couldn’t put her finger on it.
Looking into his eager eyes, she nodded again, “Yeah, that’s it!”
Cassius looked away.
His profile sharp as a knife, but his tone was gentle.
“Thanks for clearing that up.”
Gemma froze for a moment.
“….No problem.”
Noah suddenly appeared, rubbing his eyes as he entered the dining room.
“Gemma, I’m starving. Can I have a sunny–side–up egg?”
Gemma was an expert at making eggs into fun shapes, so a little sunny–side–up egg was no challenge at all.
“Sure, go brush your teeth and wash up. I’ll make you a super breakfast.”
She quickly escaped to the kitchen, as if running away from the awkwardness of the conversation.
Noah stared, then tugged at his short hair.
“Gemma ran off so fast. Uncle Cassius, did you scare her?”
He puffed out his cheeks, looking like a tiny pufferfish ready to explode.
And because Gemma might be bullied, he suddenly became alert and stared at.
Cassius just stared at him.
“She’ll have your egg ready in about five minutes. You’ve got three minutes to finish brushing.”
Noah blinked, then rushed off to the bathroom with even more speed than Gemma had.
Cassius turned his attention back to the food spread across the table.
He seemed to be hungry again.
He picked up a piece of roasted corn and ate it slowly, still feeling hungry.
His phone buzzed with a call from Shawn, so he stepped onto the balcony to take it.
“The person’s under control. The stuff’s locked up at the auction house; we’ll have to bid for it.”
Cassius had already expected this outcome, so he wasn’t surprised.
“Eight–thirty tonight, don’t forget. And remember the usual–wear the mask.”
“Got it.” Cassius replied.
After a few more quick instructions, Shawn was about to hang up, but Cassius cut him off.
Setting
16.01
Chapter 113. Blocked and Threatened
“Did you eat breakfast?”
Shawn paused, confused. “Huh?”
He’d been running on fumes all night, dealing with the Artemis File and cleaning up the mess at Raven’s house.
Breakfast?
He asked if he’d breakfast?
That was a luxury right now.
Cassius didn’t seem to care.
“I’ve eaten,” he said, casually.
“You-”
Cassius continued.
“Well, go have some breakfast.”
Shawn nearly shouted through the phone. “Wait, are you actually asking me if I’ve eaten? What is happening right now? This is… not you.”
“Did someone possess you?” Shawn continued.
A rare hint of sympathy in Cassius‘ voice.
“You are pathetic.”
“Pathetic? Me? Why?”
Cassius didn’t bother answering. He simply hung up.
Let Shawn figure it out.
He didn’t care about his curiosity at all.
Looking back through the glass doors, he saw Gemma moving around in the kitchen.
Noah’s eyes always seemed to shine so brightly when he was around.
And the sunlight was gently pouring in through the windows, casting a soft glow over everything, making it all look…
surreal.
…
Later that morning, Cassius drove both Noah and Gemma to their school and work places.
At the preschool, Noah insisted that Gemma accompany him inside before he’d get out of the car.
Of course, she’d stay with him for a moment.
Just as they were about to part ways, a young teacher ran out after her.
“Ms. Kelestine, wait!”
Gemma turned, surprised. She recognized the teacher immediately–it was Ms. Shellie, one of Alijah’s teachers. They’d gotten along well in the
past.
At first, the other teachers had assumed she was Alijah’s mother. But after Mabel’s scandal hit the media, people started thinking she was just the
nanny.
They’d all turned a little cold towards her.
Except for Ms. Shellie. She’d always been kind to her.
It had been Ms. Shellie who had called her on the day she was planning to divorce, still concerned about Alijah being late to school.
But after that, they hadn’t spoken much.
“Ms. Shellie, what’s up?”
Gemma asked, glancing at her watch to see how much time she had.
Ms. Shellie looked a little uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry for everything… we misunderstood you in the past. I want to apologize.”
They thought Gemma, as a nanny, mislead others about her identity.
She’s a scheming bitch.
But what happened at that cos party made everyone started to suspect.
Then, it was the news online revealing Gemma was the real Mrs. Wilson.
They all regreted.
“You should know better than me that some apologies don’t mean much,” Gemma said coolly.
Ms. Shellie flushed with embarrassment. “I just… I felt I had to say something. I’m sorry for what we said before.”
Setting
16.01
Chapter 113: Blocked and Threatened
Gemma didn’t let her continue. “I’m in a rush to get to work. If you have something to say, please just say it.”
Don’t repeat something that was destined not to be forgiven.
The reason she could remain calm now was because her inner core has gradually become stronger.
Ms. Shellie hesitated for a moment, then sighed.
“It’s about Alijah. I know you’ve publicly announced your divorce, but he’s still your son. I really hope you can make sure he comes back to school
soon.”
Gemma’s brow furrowed.
“You mean, Alijah hasn’t been coming to school?”
Ms. Shellie nodded. “Since the cosplay event, he’s been taking leave.
I know a family like the Wilsons probably have a private tutor for him, but at his age, he needs friends, not just lessons.”
Gemma clenched her fists, but her expression remained calm.
“You should be talking to Mr. Wilson about this, not me. It won’t help to involve me.”
Ms. Shellie looked even more uncomfortable.
“The thing is, I’m in contact with Mr. Wilson a lot, and I’ve been blocked by Ms. Johnson… and threatened. So…”
Setting