My temple throbbed with irritation. “Do whatever you want,” I said dismissively.
Jeremy’s face lit up with relief as he pulled out his phone. “I’ll make the call right away.”
I couldn’t help but scoff at his enthusiasm. Was saving some random woman really worth such excitement?
“Un…cle…” a weak, raspy voice pulled me from my thoughts.
Looking down, I met Thea’s tired eyes. “You’re awake?”
I lifted her to sit more comfortably on my lap. “Are you in pain?”
“No,” she whispered, her tiny hands clutching my shirt desperately. Her eyes searched mine, filled with worry.
“Where’s… sister?”
My lips thinned in displeasure, a frown forming between my brows.
“You know your health is fragile, yet you still run around so recklessly. Do you think your mother isn’t strict
enough with you?”
“Uncle… you’re the best, so please don’t tell Mommy, okay? Oh right, where’s Sister?”
My chest tightened with an emotion I refused to name.“Why are you asking?”
“Where’s Sister?” she asked again, urgency rising in her voice, her eyes beginning to glisten with unshed tears.
I replied coldly, “You’re getting worked up over some woman you barely know?”
“You don’t usually care this much about me, but now you’re so obsessed with a sister you just met?”
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she didn’t back down.
“Uncle, where is she? Why isn’t she in the car with us?”
“Thea Blackwood,” I said, emphasizing each word to convey my displeasure, “I’m already angry. Are you sure
you want to test me further?”
Sensing the tension building, Jeremy quickly stepped in.
“Little one, don’t worry! Your sister is perfectly safe. Alpha Alexander already arranged for someone to take her home. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
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Chapter 179
Thea’s large eyes stayed fixed on him, uncertain and mistrustful.
“Uncle Jeremy… really?”
Jeremy gave her a gentle, reassuring smile.
“Hey, even if you don’t believe your uncle, surely you trust me, right? Have I ever lied to you?”
“And besides, don’t you have her number? If you miss her, you can always give her a call.”
Then his tone turned serious.
+25 BONUS
“But you have to promise not to run off to see her like you did today. What if something bad had happened? Next time, you might not be so lucky.”
He glanced nervously in my direction as my eyes narrowed.
“You have no idea your uncle had an extremely important video conference tonight, but he dropped
everything because of you—”
“Huh? I wasn’t done talking, and she’s already asleep?”
Reassured of her sister’s safety, the little one had finally succumbed to exhaustion.
She nestled against my chest, her head gently nuzzling closer as she drifted into peaceful slumber.
I squeezed the bridge of my nose. “Little brat,” I muttered, though there was no real bite in my tone.
Jeremy chuckled. “Alpha Alexander, Thea is five years old now. Haven’t you figured out how to get along with her yet?”
“Children are simple, really. You shouldn’t always wear such a stern expression or scold her so harshly. You should smile more, talk with her heart–to–heart, let her know you truly love her.”
“Thea has had poor health since birth. You keep her confined at home, and she doesn’t have a peer group companionship. She’s already starved for affection. When she finally meets a sister she adores and feels close
to, you just-“.
The glare I shot him could have frozen hell itself. Jeremy looked like he might drop dead on the spot.
“Ha ha!” He forced a laugh. “Alpha Alexander, what nonsense was I just spouting? I can’t even remember!”
I remained expressionless, clearly not bothering to respond. Jeremy wisely turned back around.
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Chapter 179
“Mmm, mmm…” Not long after, his phone began to vibrate.
+25 BONUS
After answering, his face transformed with shock. “Alpha Alexander,” he said urgently, “the woman has been
taken! What should we do?”
“If anything happens to her and Thea finds out…”
“No, Thea has her phone number! Thea is clever–she’ll figure it out soon enough!”
At that same moment, I made my decision. “Stop the car.”
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