Chapter 264: Then don’t blame me for what comes next

The next morning, Clara and Dominic got ready to leave for work. However, the moment they stepped out of the mansion, Mark’s unusually solemn expression brought them both to a halt.

Clara stared at him for a moment before leaning closer to Dominic.

"Why does he look like he’s been constipated for three days?" she whispered.

Dominic glanced at his assistant, then back at his wife. "Perhaps he finally realized how much work I give him."

"Or maybe he needs a doctor. Should I call one?"

"Clara."

"What? I’m concerned about his health!"

Before Dominic could respond, Mark suddenly spotted Clara. His gloomy expression disappeared as if someone had switched on a light, and he hurried toward her with a bright smile.

"Madam! It’s wonderful to see you!"

Clara blinked at his enthusiasm.

"It’s good to see you too, Mark!" she replied cheerfully. "We haven’t really had a chance to talk since the charity event. How have you been?"

"Much better now that I’ve seen you, Madam."

Dominic’s smile vanished. He was standing right there.

RIGHT THERE.

Yet his assistant behaved as though his boss were nothing more than an expensive decoration beside his wife.

"Mark," Dominic called out flatly.

"Good morning, sir."

Mark greeted him without even turning his head.

Clara pressed her lips together, desperately fighting the urge to laugh.

Oh, this is interesting.

Dominic’s eyes narrowed. "Are you having trouble seeing this morning?"

"Not at all, sir. My eyesight is perfectly fine."

"Then perhaps you’ve forgotten who signs your salary."

Mark finally turned to him, his expression solemn once again. "Of course not, sir. I pray for your prosperity every day."

"Really?"

"Yes, sir. So that Madam can continue enjoying the finer things in life."

Clara immediately covered her mouth.

Dominic stared at his assistant, wondering when the man had developed a death wish.

"Mark, do you have something you’d like to tell me?" he asked dangerously.

"No, sir!" Mark replied quickly before turning back to Clara. "Madam, I hope you have a wonderful day. May happiness follow you wherever you go, and may you receive all the love in the world!"

"..."

Clara stared at him. Even the servants nearby had paused their work to witness this extraordinary display of devotion.

She offered Mark an awkward smile before tugging Dominic aside.

"Why is he acting so strangely? Does he think I’m deaf? He’s practically shouting his blessings at me!"

"Just ignore him," Dominic muttered.

"But what if he starts blessing me with grandchildren next?"

Dominic froze.

Clara burst into laughter at his expression.

"You’re impossible," he grumbled.

"And you like me for it."

"Unfortunately."

She playfully smacked his arm before rising onto her toes to kiss his cheek. "Have a good day, darling."

"You too. Call me when you arrive."

After hugging him goodbye, Clara climbed into the cab she had called earlier and waved as it pulled away.

Dominic watched until the car disappeared beyond the gates. Then he slowly turned toward Mark.

His assistant immediately straightened and opened the rear door of the waiting car.

"Your car is ready, sir."

Dominic stared at him for several seconds before getting inside.

"Mark."

"Yes, sir?"

"Are you ignoring me?" Dominic asked, watching Mark through the rearview mirror.

"If I had a choice, I would, sir. Unfortunately, you’re my boss, so I have to tolerate your existence."

"..."

Dominic’s lips twitched at his assistant’s blunt response. But then, wasn’t Mark always like this? The only difference was that the man who usually muttered his complaints under his breath had finally found the courage to say them aloud.

"Then you should keep reminding yourself who signs your paycheck," Dominic replied dryly.

Mark shot him a quick glance before turning his attention back to the road.

"Yes, sir. Every morning, before I remind myself that you’re a terrible person."

Dominic’s smile disappeared.

"Mark."

"Yes, sir?"

"Do you want to be unemployed?"

"Not particularly, sir. I have bills to pay."

Dominic shook his head, wondering how his assistant had managed to become so insufferable overnight.

The two soon settled into silence, and Mark continued giving his boss the cold shoulder throughout the drive.

He was still upset with Dominic’s behavior and had no intention of letting it go so easily.

After all, he was firmly on Madam’s side. And no matter how complicated things became, he wouldn’t allow Dominic’s old crush to come between the couple.

Madam deserves happiness, Mark thought grimly, tightening his grip on the steering wheel.

And if her husband dares to mess things up, I’ll personally make his life miserable.

In the back seat, Dominic suddenly sneezed. He frowned.

Why did he suddenly feel as though someone was plotting against him?

However, the moment Dominic glanced at the rearview mirror, his body went still. Mark was staring back at him with a sharp, almost threatening look before promptly turning his attention back to the road.

"..."

Whoa, this man seriously looks scary!

Dominic, who had never really felt intimidated by Mark before, suddenly wondered if he had completely misjudged the man. Who would have thought that someone could go from being a goofy idiot to a seriously intimidating figure in a single day?

However, Dominic simply ignored him, pretending not to notice the intimidating aura radiating from Mark. He continued glancing through the tabloid in his hand while checking his emails, acting as though nothing was out of the ordinary.

After all, he was Dominic Sterling. He wasn’t about to let a sudden personality change scare him.

Not that he was scared, of course.

***

Meanwhile, Clara headed to the bakery, where she spent the next few hours taking care of a few things before finally setting off to pick Zane up from school.

It was only her second day doing so, yet the longer she stood outside the school gates, watching children pour out one after another, the more curious she became.

Clara craned her neck, searching through the crowd, but the familiar figure was nowhere to be seen.

"Eh? Why isn’t he out yet?" she muttered, glancing at her watch.

A few more minutes passed, and her brows gradually furrowed.

Had she come to the wrong gate? No, she was pretty sure this was where she had picked him up yesterday.

Then... had something happened?

The moment that thought crossed her mind, Clara’s expression darkened.

"Don’t tell me that little brat is giving me trouble already," she mumbled, folding her arms across her chest.

But even as she grumbled, her eyes continued scanning the crowd, and the frown on her face deepened.

"Seriously, Zane, where are you? Don’t tell me you’ve found a way to escape school on only your second day of having me as your pickup service!"

She pulled out her phone, debating whether to call the teacher or wait a little longer.

After a brief hesitation, she sighed.

"Fine. I’ll give you five more minutes. But if you don’t show up by then, young man, you’d better have a very good explanation!"

Yet, beneath her complaints, a tinge of worry had begun to creep into her heart, because she had no idea the boy she was waiting for had already sneaked out of school via another route and was now cornered by his bullies.

***

"Say that again, you little brat!" the tallest boy snapped, grabbing Zane’s shoulder and shoving him against the wall.

Zane winced as his back struck the hard surface, but he quickly straightened, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing him cower.

"What? Can’t hear properly?" he retorted. "Maybe you should get your ears checked."

"Why, you—!"

"Enough, Ryan!" one of the boys interrupted, grabbing Ryan’s arm before he could swing at Zane. He then turned to Zane with a nasty grin. "Look, we’re not here to waste our time with you. Just hand over the money, and we’ll let you go."

"And if I don’t?"

The three exchanged glances before bursting into mocking laughter.

"Did you hear that? He’s actually asking questions now!" Ryan sneered. "What happened to the little coward who ran away yesterday? Did your precious babysitter teach you how to talk back?"

"Speaking of which," the third boy chimed in, "who was that woman who came to pick you up? Your mommy? Or did you cry so much that your family decided you couldn’t be trusted to find your way home?"

"Maybe he still needs someone to wipe his nose for him!" the other boy added.

Their laughter grew louder.

Zane’s jaw tightened.

"She isn’t my mother."

"Oh? Then who is she? Your nanny?" Ryan taunted. "How embarrassing! You’re old enough to come to school, but you still need someone to escort you home. What a weakling!"

"Keep her out of this," Zane warned, his voice turning cold.

For a moment, the boys looked surprised. Then Ryan’s grin widened.

"Aw, look at that! The little baby is protective of his nanny!"

He thrust his hand forward again.

"Now, enough talking. Money. And don’t even think about pulling that stunt you tried yesterday. You walk away without meeting us again, and you’ll regret it."

Zane stared at the outstretched hand, his fingers curling into fists.

He hated them. He hated their smug faces, their ridiculous demands, and the way they acted as though they owned him.

But he knew fighting all three of them would only make things worse.

Taking a slow breath, he glanced towards the end of the corridor.

Clara was probably waiting outside by now.

Great. If she finds out about this, I’ll never hear the end of it.

"I’m not giving you anything," he said firmly. "So move."

Ryan’s smile vanished.

"Then don’t blame us for what happens next."