Chapter 0131
Chapter 0131
+25 BONUS
Peter hurried past the table where Maximus and Alex were talking, searching for a secluded spot where no one could overhear or interrupt him.
“Marcus, what’s going on? Your email in the middle of the night caught me off guard.”
“Peter, there’s something I need to tell you…” Marcus said, letting a tense silence linger.
“Go on…
“Frank Levett tracked me down in New York, so I had to move.”
“How could that happen?”
“I don’t know! But one thing is clear–he’s hunting us
“Us? I don’t understand!” Peter replied, visibly alarmed.
“Frederick told me he’s been digging into the Preston family, especially Mary Preston’s grandfather. Be careful about what you say and do,” Marcus warned gravely.
“Marcus, you know Albert Preston is here.”
“It would be best if he returned to where he came from. I don’t want them catching him off guard.”
“Don’t worry, my friend. The house is very secure, and the gathering is purely a family matter.”
“I know, Peter! But don’t forget–your family already includes Alexia Levett.
As if on cue, a commotion broke out in the front gardens, where Mary and Albert were sitting on a bench. A group of masked men stormed into the mansion, surrounding them. From the study, Leonard caught sight of a dozen intruders and immediately ran out, shouting for Leopold to call the lawyer. Catherine, on her way to the front gardens to find Albert and Mary, saw Leonard rushing outside and felt a terrible premonition. She followed him in panic.
“Leonard, what’s going on?!” Catherine cried out.
Peter and Maximus heard the sirens and chaos from the front of the mansion and dashed toward the commotion.
“Marcus, I have to go…” Peter said abruptly, ending the call.
In the front gardens, Leonard confronted the intruders. “What’s the meaning of this? Who are you? Why are you barging into this house? You have no right!”
Albert instinctively shielded Mary, whose face was frozen in terror. He knew they had come for him.
“Please, gentlemen! Let my granddaughter go; she can’t handle intense emotions.”
“Mr. Albert Preston, you are in no position to make requests. There’s a warrant for your arrest in Hesperia. You’ve been wanted for years and must come with us. Anything you say or do can and will be used against you.”
Peter and Maximus arrived just in time to see the scene unfolding. They froze, dreading what they were
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+26 BONUS
witnessing
“No! Grandpa, nol Please don’t take him away! He’s not a bad person! He did nothing wrong!” Mary screamed, clinging to her grandfather’s arm as if her grip could stop the inevitable.
Peter ran to her as two masked men pulled her away. Leonard shouted in outrage, “Let her go! She’s pregnant! If anything happens to my daughter–in–law, I’ll sue you! Let her go!”
Peter reached Mary just as she was forced to release Albert. He wrapped his arms around her as she cried out desperately.
“Peter, please help my grandfather! Don’t let them take him! He didn’t do anything wrong! He’s not a criminal!” she sobbed, her face streaked with tears.
“I need to see a warrant! This Is an insult to the Palmer family! You can’t just barge into my home like this!” Catherine yelled..
“Ma’am, we’re executing a lawful arrest warrant. We’re following orders,” one of the masked men replied,
Maximus, still in shock from his father’s earlier words snapped to attention. “I demand to see this so- called warrant! Nobody can enter our property as if it’s just any place. This is an abuse of authority!
“Mr. Palmer, this is no abuse. Mr. Preston has a valid arrest warrant in Hesperia, and we’ve gathered all the evidence needed to raid this property. There are also indications that Mrs. Catherine Palmer has been harboring a fugitive,” said a man in a suit who had entered alongside the intruders.
As the family tried to block the arrest and Peter struggled to comfort Mary, Albert maintained a stoic demeanor. His health prevented him from becoming agitated, so he remained calm, watching Catherine defend him.
Chapter 0137
