Chapter 38
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Belle, pampered and used to getting her way, didn’t dare to run far.
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Finn quickly caught up to her and scooped her up, holding her tightly as she cried in his arms, her little body shaking with emotion.
“Uncle, Juliette is a bad woman. Please don’t marry her. We don’t want her in our family!” Belle sobbed, her voice cracking.
Finn’s expression softened, and he gently stroked her hair. “I’ll make sure she apologizes to you later, okay?”
“Apologize? How can she?” Belle sniffled. “Everyone saw what she did. She’s doing this on purpose–against me and against you! I don’t like her at all!”
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“If you want her to apologize after we’re married, she’ll do whatever you ask,” Finn said, his voice still gentle, but the edge of firmness there was unmistakable.
Belle wiped away her tears, staring at him with wide eyes. “Really? But will you protect her then?”
She couldn’t help but compare the situation to her own parents her father could never stand up to her mother, the queen of their house.
Finn’s tone turned cold. “No. If she hurts you, I won’t protect her. And if you want her to apologize, she’ll have to do it however you see fit.”
Belle wasn’t the only one upset–he was furious with Juliette too.
If it weren’t for the advantages this marriage would bring to the Montgomery family, he’d make Juliette regret it.
This marriage was just the start of his revenge on her.
He would bide his time and wait for the perfect moment.
Belle’s little face scrunched up, her anger palpable. “I’ll make her starve. No food, no sleep. She’ll have to kneel and apologize. I’ll even put hot sauce in her eyes!”
Finn smiled softly, though there was a glint of something colder in his eyes. “Alright, sweetheart.”
To him, these were just childish revenge fantasies–nothing compared to what he really had planned for Juliette.
After watching Finn disappear with Belle, Juliette turned to Louis, extending her hand with a soft smile. “Come on, I’ll take you home.”
Louis, hesitating just a moment, placed his hand in hers.
She wrapped her fingers around him, offering him a reassuring smile. This was the first time she had taken his hand like this -after she had confirmed his identity.
His little hand was warm and soft, and an unexpected feeling of tenderness spread through her chest. ‘Maybe warmth isn’t so bad after all,’ she thought.
They were just about to leave when Stuart, looking like a whirlwind, approached them at full speed.
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Chapter 38
Tall, handsome, and clearly agitated, Stuart practically snatched Louis from her grasp without a word.
“What’s going on with Louis? What did you do to him?” Stuart demanded, his voice sharp with concern.
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As soon as the meeting ended, his assistant had told him about the phone call, and without hesitation, he’d jumped in his
car.
Patrick had already warned him earlier that someone might be trying to hurt Louis, so he rushed over right away.
Otherwise, Louis‘ teacher wouldn’t have called him.
“Are you planning to expel him? Did you get permission from the headmaster to kick Louis out?” Stuart’s voice was thick with anger.
He’d been through the highs and lows of life–he knew how people liked to suck up to those in power.
The last thing he wanted was for Louis to be bullied.
“Mr. Conner, it’s a misunderstanding. Everything’s been cleared up. Louis is innocent. His first–place ranking is still secure. No one’s expelling him,” the teacher said quickly, trying to smooth things over.
The teacher was internally exhausted. ‘Working at this elite kindergarten is draining, surrounded by so many entitled kids.
“Misunderstanding?” Stuart’s tone dropped, icy with disbelief.
“Yes, a misunderstanding,” the teacher stammered. “Ms. Vaughn told us Louis made cookies with his parents. She even demonstrated it for us to show it was all a simple mistake.”
Stuart muttered, “Cookies? His parents? Ms. Vaughn?”
Stuart finally turned his gaze toward Juliette.
He hadn’t paid much attention to her before, thinking Juliette was the kindergarten teacher, about to expel Louis from school.
But now that he was really looking, he realized who she was.
Patrick had mentioned her last night, and he’d been asked to keep an eye on her. Now her face was burned into his memory.
“Ms. Vaughn?” Stuart called, his eyes narrowing slightly.
‘So, she said she saw Louis‘ parents making cookies together… he thought, puzzled.
He’d been by Louis‘ side since he was a baby and had never met Louis‘ mother.
But Juliette claimed she had.
“Mr. Conner, is something wrong?” Juliette asked, her voice steady. She wasn’t exactly thrilled about being interrupted, but she understood.
Stuart was just looking out for Louis, so she didn’t mind the intrusion too much.
“I just wanted to thank you,” Stuart said, his tone shifting to something more sincere. “You stepped in for Louis, made sure he wasn’t wronged. I really appreciate it. By the way, I’m Louis‘ uncle–his father’s cousin. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Ms. Vaughn.”
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Chapter 38
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Before Juliette could respond, Louis broke free from Stuart’s grip and ran over to her, grabbing her hand. “We’re going home now!” Louis said brightly, his small hand wrapped around hers.
Stuart’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.
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‘What? Louis is willingly holding a woman’s hand? And with both hands?‘ Stuart thought, astonished. “This Juliette must be something else.’
As they left kindergarten, Stuart opened the car door and motioned for Louis to get in.
But Louis shook his head and refused to let go of Juliette’s hand.
“I’m going with her. You can go home by yourself,” Louis said, his voice firm.
Louis was always firm and decisive, and Stuart had always been the obedient one.
Stuart stepped back, giving Juliette a look that was part curiosity, part amusement.
“So. Ms. Vaughn,” he began with a teasing note, “you said Louis‘ parents made cookies together? But who is Louis‘ mother? I’ve known Louis for years, but I’ve never met his mom. Yet you’ve had the privilege of meeting her?”
Juliette could hear the hint of mockery in his voice, but she stayed calm.
“You can ask Patrick who Louis‘ mother is,” she replied, her tone cool but polite.
‘Bold,‘ Stuart thought. “This woman isn’t afraid to speak her mind “Alright, I’ll ask him later,” he said. “But Louis has to come home with me. He has a father, a home, and it’s not right for him to keep bothering you.”
He gently grabbed Louis‘ shoulder, feeling the boy trying to pull away, and continued, “Ms. Vaughn will head home too. She has got her family to get back to. She can’t keep taking care of you forever.”
Juliette knew she couldn’t get too close to Louis, especially before her wedding to Finn.
She crouched down, brushing her fingers through Louis‘ hair. “Be a good boy, Louis. Go home with Stuart, and I’ll visit you soon, okay?”
Louis gave her a pout but nodded. “Ms. Vaughn, please be careful driving. Text me when you get home, okay?”
His little voice was so sweet, and his face so full of trust, that Juliette almost gave in to the urge to kiss him.
“Alright,” she said with a smile.
Louis nodded seriously. “We’ve made a deal, so don’t go back to your word.”
Louis climbed into Stuart’s car, and as they drove off, Juliette watched them go, then turned and headed home.
When she arrived, her eyes widened in shock as she stepped through the door, feeling like she had entered a completely different world.
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