When Marco finally released her, his face was flushed, his usually cold eyes softened by tenderness.


    He seemed as affected by the kiss as she was.


    “I’m. I’m out of breath,” Loraine managed to stammer, her voice trembling.


    Marco’s response was a quiet chuckle, one hand supporting her while the other caressed her back,


    eliciting a shiver.


    In the midst of this charged moment, an innocent child’s voice rang out, startling them both. “Angel


    Sister, what are you doing? Your face is so red! Are you feverish?”


    Loraine felt as though she had been doused with cold water, stiffening as she spotted several little


    faces peeking from a nearby ssroom, their eyes wide with curiosity.


    With a sudden sense of urgency, she pulled away from Marco’s embrace, her face ming.


    Marco coughed lightly, trying to regain hisposure. He spoke with feigned sternness.


    “We were ying a game that only adults can y.”


    Loraine’s scalp tingled with anxiety. The Last thing she wanted was for


    Eloise to think she was a bad influence on the children!


    Ang’s Library


    The children’s faces were alight with curiosity, eager to probe further, but Loraine shot Marco a warning


    nce that silenced them.


    Without another word, she turned and made her way back to her room.


    Marco smiled, raising a finger to his lips in a gesture for the children to keep their secret, then followed


    Loraine at a more leisurely pace.


    He resisted the urge to tease her, recognizing that her embarrassment was genuine.


    As he walked, his mind turned to more serious matters. Loraine clearly had her own intentions


    regarding the Cooper family, and he had always respected her autonomy. He would offer his assistance


    but would never act without her express consent.


    He dialed a number on his phone, which was answered promptly. His voice, infused with a casual


    satisfaction, conveyed his instructions clearly.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    “Hold off on taking action against the Cooper family for now.


    Recall the people you sent earlier.”


    Meanwhile, at the Cooper family’s residence, after being forcibly brought home by Zaria, Judie’s


    frustration boiled over into a full-blown tantrum. She yelled, “Mom, how could you? Weren’t you going


    to help me stand up for myself? Weren’t you going to shield me from the vigers’ ridicule? But as soon


    as you saw Loraine, you turned tail like a frightened mouse!”


    Zaria, seated on the sofa, looked gravely serious and made no move to calm her daughter’s outburst.


    Her hands wrung together in agitation.


    Suddenly, the sound of a car engine outside interrupted the scene, followed by a middle-aged man


    entering the house. Catching Judie’s sobs, he demanded, “Judie, what’s the matter? Who has dared to


    upset you?”


    Judie’s eyes brightened as she rushed towards the man, fully expecting his sympathy. But before she


    could even speak, Zaria’s voice cut through the room, sharp andmanding.


    “Judie, to your room, now!”