Jeremiah, in his military uniform, entered the dessert shop. His chilling presence commanded attention, silencing the room. Every vehicle in the Skyland fleet, including Yvette's scooter, had GPS; he'd arrived directly after his meeting, surprised to find Aurora here.
Towering at six feet seven inches, Jeremiah’s presence filled the room. His dark eyes, deep and mysterious, swept the space, lingering momentarily on someone, a subtle smile playing in their depths. He mused, Yvette must have kept her identity hidden, or who knows how Mom might have reacted?
Yvette remained silent, and Jeremiah kept her secret. He then turned his gaze to Aurora. His presence alone stilled the other women, including Darnell. Jeremiah's reputation preceded him; even a frown could signal trouble. Eleanore, in particular, longed to escape. The arrival of the famed, elusive, and iron-willed Jeremiah Chavez of Clusia, renowned throughout Betrico, was hardly conducive to calm.
Aurora exclaimed joyfully, “Jeremiah! Why are you here? I haven’t seen you in ages, and you’re even more handsome! My boy, you’ve inherited my good looks!”
Jeremiah paused, appearing slightly helpless. “Mom, ‘naturally good-looking’ isn’t quite accurate for me.”
Aurora remained unfazed. “I know. I just wanted to highlight my own beauty. Don’t overthink it.”
Jeremiah was speechless. Aurora, overcome with emotion, was thrilled by his arrival. Tiptoeing, she patted his shoulder, a smug grin on her face. “Jeremiah, what brings you here? Did Dad send you? He worries too much. Doesn't he know my fighting spirit? This was such a hassle for you!”
Her words were a contrast to her expression; a coy façade barely concealed the arrogance in her eyes. The other women remained silent, secretly hoping the “Living Reaper” would depart soon.
Jeremiah looked at the women, a mixture of fear and hurt in their eyes. Calmly, he asked, “Mom, what happened?”
Aurora was surprised. His question suggested he was unaware of the situation. So why is he here? Coincidence? Coffee and dessert? No, he hates that. He must be here with his girlfriend! The thought of meeting her daughter-in-law lit up her eyes.
In moments, her thoughts had wandered far. Jeremiah, noticing her absentmindedness, turned to Darnell. “What happened?”
Darnell, summoning his courage, stepped forward, inwardly lamenting his decision to leave home that day. “Mr. Jeremiah Chavez, I’m Deputy Chief Darnell, Betrico Police Station. Mrs. Chavez had a disagreement with some ladies here. A small fight ensued.”
Noticing Jeremiah's slight frown, Darnell hastily added, “But don't worry, Mrs. Chavez wasn’t hurt. She handled them herself. Before you arrived, she agreed to a private settlement—an apology from these ladies to this young woman. However, they hesitated.”
He wiped the sweat from his brow. Jeremiah’s presence, though calm, was undeniably chilling. Jeremiah glanced at Yvette, hands in pockets, gazing downward. His tone was calm, almost casual. “What does it have to do with her?”
Aurora, knowing Jeremiah well, sensed his anger. Confused, as she hadn't lost anything, she walked to Yvette, took her hand, and returned to Jeremiah. Yvette, eyes half-closed, observed Aurora's meticulously cared-for hand, warm and dry. She reacted passively, allowing Aurora to hold her hand.
This surprised Jeremiah, knowing Yvette's caution. He noted something unusual about Aurora's hand; he hadn't held Yvette's hand often, yet Aurora took this liberty.
Aurora began introducing Yvette. “Jeremiah, this is Yvette. She helped me. She prevented those women from escaping, saving me a lot of trouble.”
Eleanore and her group were furious. Aurora’s declaration—that she would pursue anyone who fled—was appalling.
Without waiting for Jeremiah's reaction, Aurora turned to Yvette. “Yvette, this is my son. He’s in the military. He’s a bit aloof, so don’t mind him.”
Jeremiah looked down; Yvette glanced up. They exchanged a look—hers subtle, his expressionless—a silent understanding passing between them.
Aurora found nothing unusual in his reaction; she imagined his girlfriend must possess remarkable patience. Jeremiah knew Yvette's presence ensured Aurora's safety. He glanced at the women, then at Darnell. "The reason," he said calmly.
Darnell’s heart clenched. Jeremiah's tone indicated a thorough investigation. The women remained silent, heads bowed. Darnell, furious at their silence, reluctantly answered, “Mr. Chavez, these ladies said something that upset Mrs. Chavez. I haven’t heard the specifics. You’ll have to ask them.”
Jeremiah recognized Gloria, a familiar face at the Chavez home. His icy gaze settled on her; her fingers dug into her palm. "Speak," he commanded, his voice devoid of warmth.
Gloria, terrified, blurted out everything. Eleanore glared at her, the others wishing they could silence her. Gloria, cowering under Jeremiah's gaze, regretted her impulsive outburst. Even Aurora was surprised by Gloria's sudden clarity. Indeed, she thought, pressure reveals potential. She felt a surge of pride in Jeremiah.