Chapter 236: Food Snatcher
Maggie's eyes shimmered with tears as she offered a weak smile, changing the subject. Leo and Maggie shared similar difficult backgrounds, but their lives diverged sharply. His mother, once Joshua's mistress, was a fleeting presence in his life. She'd hoped to manipulate Joshua into providing for Leo by cunningly conceiving his child. However, when she attempted to leverage the child, Joshua remained indifferent, showing no interest in the child she'd schemed to have. Her attempts to manipulate him backfired spectacularly, resulting in threats, bribes, and ultimately, expulsion with a stern warning.
This descent into madness left Leo to navigate a childhood marred by abuse. In her rare moments of clarity, she showered him with affection; in her darker moods, she unleashed verbal and physical torment. Raised without a father and in such tumultuous circumstances, Leo developed a resilient, hardened exterior. He quickly learned, however, that sheer strength wasn't enough without support. Thus, the boy who once frolicked in the mud mastered the art of projecting the image of a model student—at least superficially. He realized that by cultivating a courteous and capable persona, he could earn trust easily, avoiding the need for physical confrontation.
Having witnessed the darker aspects of human nature from a young age, he cultivated a reserved demeanor, seamlessly blending it with his natural aloofness. His interactions were always polite, never condescending, yet his true self remained hidden. He observed others discreetly, responding to provocation with calculated ferocity. Like Maggie, he was thrust into premature adulthood, relegated to a supporting role. Every comfort, every gesture of affection, came at a cost.
As he sipped his beer, memories flooded back of Maggie's acts of kindness. In those days, she possessed a grace that seemed both distant and luminous, like a glowing moon.
"Why do you keep getting yourself into trouble?" she asked, a touch of exasperation in her voice.
He bristled at her interference, pushing her away as he struggled to stand amidst the pool of blood. "Stay out of it," he snapped. "Just leave me alone." He found her naiveté and acquiescence irritating, as cautious as a leopard himself.
Chapter 236: Food Snatcher (Continued)
Agony wracked his body, causing him to break out in a cold sweat and crumple to the ground again. Maggie pursed her lips, raising an eyebrow in observation. "Stubborn as a mule," she commented. "No wonder you keep getting into trouble."
His glare intensified, sweat trickling down his face. Undeterred, she knelt before him, her eyes bright and unwavering, despite the blood staining her skirt.
"You know what kind of kids orphanages prefer?" she asked.
Leo remained silent, the pain of his broken bones consuming him.
"Clean, well-behaved, sensible ones," Maggie declared earnestly. "They won't even give bread crusts to kids like you."
Leo gritted his teeth, squeezing his eyes shut. She was different—a girl with a darkness that mirrored his own, a depth that drew him in.
"Hungry?" Maggie teased, holding out a bag of warm buns.
Leo couldn't deny the appeal of the fragrant buns, though he avoided her gaze. He considered whether he could grab them in his condition, but she saw through him instantly. "Thinking about snatching them?" she teased, chuckling. "Then you'll always be a thief. But a few nice words, and I'll gladly give them to you. I might even bring you some every day."
"Stubborn as ever," she teased. "What's the point? You can't even handle a twig, let alone a blade or a bullet. Are you daft?"
Sitting before him, Maggie casually ate a bun. Leo silently counted: one, two, three. Her pace slowed, indicating she was nearly full. She'd bought five buns; two remained untouched. He contemplated whether a few kind words might persuade her to give him the last two. His mother had vanished for five days, and every cent he had came from his hard-earned job. He'd been accused of stealing and brutally beaten. Hunger gnawed at his stomach.
A metallic taste lingered in his mouth as he considered how to plead, but in a blink, she stood and tossed the last two buns in the trash.
"I'm leaving," she said politely, but coldly.
Recalling her past actions, Leo chuckled softly, admiring her resilience. He understood she wasn't innocent; she was adept at sweet talk, reading expressions, and playing mind games.
Chapter 236: Food Snatcher (Continued)
Throughout the years, she'd shown gratitude for the Camerons' support and upbringing, yet she'd come to see their actions for what they were: a façade.
"She's good to go," announced a beefy man in a tank top, tossing the keys to Leo while commenting on Maggie's appearance.
Leo chuckled softly, but his gaze unnerved the man, who quickly left. Although Maggie loved to drive fast, she wasn't reckless. Opting for a calm drive, she settled into the passenger seat without complaint.
"Ready to roll. I'll be your chauffeur," Leo offered with a soft smile.
Maggie immediately slid into the passenger seat. As Leo brushed off two flirtatious women, Maggie's thoughts drifted to Nathael.
Meanwhile, Nathael stood by the tall window, his gaze intense as he waited for a message from Alex. Nolan stood behind him, his head bowed. The air crackled with tension.
"Mr. Harris, we tracked Leo's car. He took her to Table Mountain," Alex announced.
Nathael grabbed his coat and headed for the exit. He glanced at his silent phone, his face as dark as a thunderstorm. Passing Nolan, Nathael said coldly, "Ethan and Henry will put you through a month's training."
"Yes," Nolan replied calmly. He was inscrutable, unfazed by the punishment.
Alex looked at him with pity. Nolan was their best fighter, yet he'd been defeated by Maggie. It wasn't his fault, though; Leo was not to be underestimated. He was cunning and intelligent.
(Send Gifts)