Chapter 1039: They Were Paid

A furious roar erupted beside him. "Damn it! This runt! How dare you fight back!" The hooligan clutched his eyes, enraged by Archie's retaliation.

The other hooligans, alerted by the shout, became wary. Despite the bullies' caution, Archie and Benny continued to resist, pelting them with pebbles from the floor. The hooligans, fearing eye injuries, instinctively dodged.

This created an opening. Archie sprang up, quickly stuffing rocks into Benny's hand before they darted through the gap in the hooligans' ranks.

The hooligans recovered and gave chase. Archie ran ahead, turning to launch rocks at the pursuing group to slow them down. Archie and Benny sprinted towards the nearby crowded plaza, using all their strength.

The hooligans hesitated to pursue them into the public space, stopping some distance away as Archie and Benny disappeared into the throng.

"Archie…" Benny gasped, breathless from the exertion. "Who were those people? Why did they do that to us?"

Archie frowned, recalling the hooligans' words. They'd been paid, but he couldn't fathom who would have hired them. He pondered for a moment, shaking his head. "We need to go back. They might be waiting for us elsewhere!"

A lingering fear in his heart, Benny nodded fervently, remembering the terrifying encounter.

Hand in hand, they left the plaza by a different exit, hailed a cab, and returned to the mansion. Darkness had fallen by the time they arrived home.

Tiptoeing inside, they found Lysa preparing dinner. "They've been asleep all day," she murmured to herself. "I wonder if they're hungry. Maybe I should make extra food."

Archie and Benny giggled, quickly scurrying upstairs. Before they could shower, they heard the front door open downstairs.

Roxanne's voice followed, inquiring about the children. Exchanging a glance, Archie and Benny scrambled under their blankets, concealing their injured arms.

Soon, they heard footsteps on the stairs, followed by the bedroom door opening. Lysa had informed Roxanne of their long sleep. Roxanne, wanting to avoid waking them, quietly entered their room.

"Mommy…"

Archie and Benny feigned awakening, rubbing their eyes sleepily.

Roxanne smiled. "How are you feeling? Any headaches?"

They quickly shook their heads. "No more!"

Relieved, Roxanne said, "Ms. Lane told me you slept all day and didn't eat. You must be hungry. Let's go downstairs for dinner."

Remembering their scrapes, Archie and Benny demurred. "Mommy, we'll come down later!"

Roxanne frowned slightly but didn't press the issue. "Hurry then."

The boys nodded obediently. Roxanne said nothing more and went downstairs.