Chapter 449


    The words had barely left Marguerite’s lips before she found herself unable to meet


    Frederick’s gaze.


    It wasn’t like she had wanted to spill the beans. But the situation had been dire; she wasn’t able to


    remove the bullet herself, so she had no choice but to ask for Chuck’s help.


    Yet, the anticipated scolding never came. Instead, she heard Frederick’s pain–filled voice interspersed


    with heavy breaths, “He’s fine.”


    Good, when Chuck arrived, he would be able to take over the situation.


    Relieved, Marguerite fetched a wet wipe to clean the blood from Hayes‘ face. But Hayes was still


    caught in the throes of fear, his eyes, wide and frightened.


    Marguerite’s heart softened. She sat down on the couch, pulling the little boy into herp, her voice


    gentle as she reassured him, “It’s okay. See how brave your daddy is? He didn’t even cry out in pain,


    did he? You must be brave too, like your daddy!”


    Hayes shivered, his little nose turning red from crying, whimpering, “I’m scared… I’m scared…”


    His childish voice was so soft, it’s breaking Marguerite’s heart.


    Holding him close, she patted his back gently, just likeforting a baby, whispering, “Don’t be scared,


    Hayes, you’re the bravest…”


    In Frederick’s hand, he held the bullet Marguerite had managed to extract. His gaze, however, was


    locked onto the pair on the couch, his eyes growing darker.


    Hayes had always reminded him of Marguerite.


    Now, as they huddled together, they resembled a true mother and son, radiating warmth and love.


    Frederick watched, entranced, until Marguerite suddenly met his gaze. Their eyes locked unexpectedly.


    Perhaps it was the intensity of his gaze that caused Marguerite to flinch, a sudden sense of panic


    washing over her.


    She cleared her throat, subconsciously asking, “How did you get back?”


    Hayes couldn’t drive, and Frederick had been unconscious at the wheel, so how had they managed to


    get back?


    Frederick’s voice was unusually hoarse as he retorted, “I drove! What, did you expect me to walk?”


    “You drove back?”


    “Yeah.”


    Marguerite was taken aback. She couldn’t imagine how Frederick, in such a grave condition, had


    managed to drive back!


    What kind of determination did that require?


    Suddenly, she looked at him with newfound respect. But more than that, she felt a lingering fear.


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    He had been on the brink of death, covered in blood.


    Never before had she been so terrified of losing him.


    Soon, Chuck arrived, braving the snowstorm.


    Frederick tossed him the bullet, his instructions clear and concise, “Check the bullet type. Investigate


    all ck market gun sales.


    “Pull up the security footage from thepany’s underground parking lot from around


    8:35.


    “Arrange to dispose of the car downstairs, clean the blood. I don’t want anyone knowing about this.”


    Even severely wounded, Frederick was still able to think clearly.


    Despite his condition, he was still inmand, truly a king among men!


    However, Marguerite hadn’t heard him recount the incident.


    She turned to Hayes, whispering, “What exactly happened? Why was he shot?”


    Hayes lifted his head, the memories flooding back. He could still clearly remember everything that had


    happened.


    He had so much he wanted to say, but the moment he got nervous, he lost his voice.


    Quickly, he pulled out his phone and began to type, “Daddy was taking me home. I was sitting in the


    passenger seat. When we left thepany, Daddy was shot.”


    Passenger seat?


    No wonder she had only seen blood on the passenger side window. The attacker had been aiming for


    Hayes! But who could be so ruthless as to target a three–year–old child?