Chapter 1600


    Maisie followed Nicole’s gaze and noticed that the person walking toward them was Daniel. She didn’t


    understand why Nicole appeared fearful upon seeing him. Nicole instinctively shielded herself behind


    Maisie.


    “Nicole, what’s wrong?” Maisie asked.


    Nicole remained silent, her expression seeming off.


    When Daniel saw Nicole, his gaze changed. It wasn’t his usual coldness, but rather, there was a hint of


    pleading in his eyes.


    This took Nicole by surprise. She couldn’t believe the typically strong-willed Daniel would have such a


    gaze.


    Maisie spoke softly. “Nicole. This is Mr. Daniel Quimby. He’s also a family member of one of our


    students.”


    “Oh…” Nicole’s voice quivered slightly, and she forced a smile. “Mr. Quimby’s family member is here?


    Is Mr. Quimby… married?”


    “No,” Maisie rified. “He’s the child’s granduncle.”


    “Yes,” Daniel replied quietly. “I haven’t gotten married.”


    He emphasized each word, looking at Maisie.


    Maisie didn’t catch the deeper meaning behind his words, but Nicole pulled her aside, hesitated for a


    moment, and then said, “Maisie, you… be careful.”


    Maisie believed Nicole was concerned about her brother-inw, so she assured her, “Don’t worry, this


    is an international kindergarten, and security is good. Even if hees, he won’t dare to harm me.”


    “I… I wasn’t just talking about your brother-inw, but also…”


    Nicole hesitated, not borating. She cast a quick nce at Daniel nearby and instinctively held


    Maisie’s hand tightly.


    Two years ago, Nicole had witnessed Maisie’s traumatic experience firsthand. Although she was timid,


    she was determined to do everything in her power to protect her younger sister. Now that Maisie had


    put her past behind her and was starting anew, Nicole couldn’t let Daniel disrupt her life again.


    Nicole took a deep breath. “Maisie, what I mean is, stay away from those family members too…”


    Maisie paused, her face turning red. “You mean Mr. Quimby? Nicole, what are you thinking? I’m about


    to marry Graham. How could I…”


    “Alright, alright, don’t get agitated! I know you’re not like that. But you can’t guarantee that others aren’t,


    right? It’s not time to pick up the kids now. Why is Mr. Quimby hanging around the kindergarten? Is it


    because of you?”


    “Nicole!”


    “I’m just worried that you might get taken advantage of.” Nicole patted Maisie’s head.


    She refrained from saying more. If she said too much, what if Maisie remembered everything from her


    past? For her, that would be a disaster, not a blessing.


    Maisie nodded and handed Nicole the keys to her apartment.


    After bidding farewell, Maisie turned to go back and noticed that Daniel hadn’t left. He was still standing


    at the kindergarten’s entrance.


    He smiled at her and appeared eager to please.


    Maisie’s heart raced. She remembered Nicole’s warning and decided to hurry inside without greeting


    him.


    Daniel watched her with a tinge of destion and pulled out his phone, instructing softly, “Maisie’s


    sister is in Centrolis. Find out why she’s here.”


    His subordinate was prepared. “Mr. Quimby, we’ve already checked. Nicole came to Centrolis to


    escape her husband. He’s running a smallpany in Cumulus City, and it’s not doing well. He owes a


    lot of money, including some high-interest loans…”


    Daniel sneered. “Heh! Him again…”


    In the past, when he was with Maisie, he had witnessed this man’s rough behavior.


    His subordinate continued. “Mr. Quimby, Nicole seems to be unaware of the debt situation. She


    frequently suffers domestic violence, so she’s probably here to escape getting beaten up.”


    Daniel responded indifferently.


    It didn’t matter what she was escaping from, but if they dared to cause trouble for Maisie, that person


    would have a grim end.


    “Keep an eye on her, and let me know if anything happens. Also, get more people to protect Maisie.”


    –


    When Maisie finished work, it was already dark. She walked down a poorly lit path, and each step she


    took felt like an echo in the eerie silence. She was somewhat scared, but she continued, as this was


    the shortest route home.


    Despite her caution, she felt someone was following her.


    Initially, when she heard movement behind her, her heart raced. She tried to quicken her pace, and the


    footsteps behind her hastened, too. She slowed down, and her pursuer did the same.


    Maisie was scared to the point of trembling. She took her phone from her pocket and called Graham.


    “Hey, Graham, it’s me…” Her voice quivered, and she had to speak loudly. “I-I’m on my way home!


    Could you pleasee down to meet me?”


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    “What?” Graham was confused. It was morning where he was, and he couldn’t understand what she


    was saying.


    Maisie forced herself to soundposed. “Graham, what should we have for dinner tonight?”


    Graham looked at his screen, utterly perplexed. He had no idea about Maisie’s situation, so her words


    made no sense. He was unaware that she was trying to make the person following her believe she had


    a man at home.


    He also had no clue that he was Maisie’s sole lifeline despite being on the other end of the world.


    With tears welling up in her eyes and the person behind her still unshaken, Maisie sprinted forward.


    The man behind her followed suit!


    “Graham!” She sobbed. “Come down to pick me up!”


    “What’s wrong?” Graham frowned, his voiceing out clearly from the phone’s speaker. “I’m in


    Armania. How am I supposed to pick you up? It’s nighttime there now, right? Are you groggy from


    sleep?”


    Maisie ended the call and surveyed her surroundings. She searched for something she could use for


    self-defense as she ran.


    Just then, she collided with someone.


    “Ahh!” All her defenses crumbled at that moment, and fear washed over her like a tidal wave.


    “It’s me!”


    When Maisie looked up and saw Daniel, she couldn’t hold back her tears. She rushed into his arms.


    “It’s alright, I’m here.”


    “Mr. Quimby…”


    “Don’t be afraid.”


    Daniel looked behind Maisie, his eyes filled with cold determination. The man who had been following


    her fled in a panic.


    Daniel didn’t pursue him. Instead, he took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders, embracing her


    gently.


    This ck coat acted like a protective shield, separating her from the darkness and giving her a sense


    of security.