Chapter 498 The Old Lady Kneels
- Zara froze when Marcus Crawley said that. It was like time stopped. Her hands were shaking. A moment later, she looked back at him and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Quick reaction, but weirdly off. Marcus snapped out of it and didn’t press. He knew if it hadn’t been that woman dragging him back from the edge of death, the dark aura in his body wouldn’t have spiked out of nowhere. “You’re sure it wasn’t you?” Seeing Zara deny it, Marcus didn’t dig further. Zara nodded again, swearing, “Of course it wasn’t me… That day, I couldn’t leave the Frost estate. I was really worried about you, but I couldn’t do it.” “That woman you mentioned—what’s her deal?” Marcus didn’t take it seriously. If it wasn’t Zara, then who? Just then, Zara’s phone rang. The call was from her gorgeous assistant, Maddy. As soon as it connected, Maddy blurted, “Ms. Frost, you asked me to watch the Sugarman residence. There’s movement. Big trouble. That Octavio Byrd is messing with the Sugarmans.” Zara’s brows knit tight. “Got it. I’ll handle it right away.” She hung up and turned to Marcus. “Get up. The Sugarmans are in trouble. Looks like after Sadie went to the Gus family, they didn’t fix it. Now all of Riverton knows the Sugarmans owe a huge loan. Every partner they had has bolted.” “Even Herbal Haven’s partners—gone.” “If no one bails them out, the Sugarmans getting squeezed in Riverton is the small problem. Sadie’s Herbal Haven breaking out of Riverton? Almost impossible.” Seeing Zara worry so much about Sadie Sugarman, Marcus felt oddly surprised. In theory, Zara and Sadie should be rivals. He didn’t hesitate. He stood. Swish— The white quilt slid off him. Zara saw and shouted, “Marcus Crawley! You jerk, what are you doing?” Marcus finally noticed he wasn’t wearing anything. He said lightly, “Relax. You’ve seen me, and I’ve seen you… We’re even.” Zara’s cheeks flamed. Her breath came quick. “Yeah.” A beat later, she steadied herself. No girlish shyness there. They headed for the Sugarman residence together. Meanwhile— Outside the gate, Octavio Byrd’s people had the place surrounded. The Byrd Loan Group was a pro loan-shark outfit. They had plenty of ways to make the Sugarmans cough up. Like today: every kid under ten in the Sugarman family hadn’t come home. Madam Sugarman stood at the door. Seeing the Byrd Loan guys show up, she was one breath away from kneeling to them. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry… We’ll find a way. Give us a little time, please.” Octavio Byrd himself hadn’t come. He’d just sent a random collection crew to block the gate. “If you don’t pay, that’s on you. As for why your kids didn’t come back, no clue… Don’t pin that on us.” Madam Sugarman had lived a long life and wasn’t stupid. She knew exactly what this was. Head bowed, she said again, “We really are sorry! Our Sadie is already trying to fix it. Can you give us a few days of grace?” Besides Sadie, they couldn’t think of anyone who could save the Sugarmans. Right then, a voice came from far off. “Grandma, I’ll handle this.” In a blink, everyone looked toward the voice. Marcus Crawley had arrived! He was alive. Many in the Sugarman family were shocked and thrilled. Especially Tristan Sommer—he was over the moon. He practically ran over, grabbed Marcus’s hand, and stammered, “You—you’re alive? The Blade is alive! The Blade is alive!” What stunned Tristan wasn’t that the Sugarmans could be saved. It was that Marcus lived—so the Blade lived. All of Mandoria’s War Department still had hope. “Marcus, how are you back?” The old lady hurried over too. Sadie hadn’t arrived, but Marcus had—so the Sugarmans might be saved. Madam Sugarman was beyond excited. Ellen Hale doused her with cold water on the spot. “What good is him coming back now? He’s already been struck from Wintermere’s rolls. Not just him—anyone tied to him has been purged along with him.” “Even Tristan got purged because of him.” The crowd heard that and went pale. Marcus, purged? Then… what use was he? Madam Sugarman still pinned her hopes on Marcus. She rushed to say, “Marcus, can you help us? I’m begging you. If we can’t fix this, the Sugarmans are finished.” “Octavio Byrd’s grip on Riverton is huge. We… may not survive here.” “I know I had my issues with you before, but could you please, for—” The old lady started to kneel. Before she could, Marcus had already caught her and lifted her up. “Grandma, don’t worry… I’ve got this.” Madam Sugarman let out a long breath at his words, finally settling. “Marcus, if you can help us, that’s incredible.” Byrd’s men just laughed. “Who the hell are you?” “You say you can fix it, so you can fix it?” “If the Sugarmans don’t pay today, we’ll camp here. No one can change that.” Marcus didn’t bother explaining. He turned to Zara. “Want me to handle it?” Zara asked softly. Marcus shook his head. “No. Just hold the fort here. I’m going to Riverton myself.” Zara nodded and had Frost Group people head to the Sugarmans right away. Marcus grabbed the keys and called White Rabbit. They drove straight for Riverton. On the road, Abe Howard called. “Mr. Crawley, you’re alive? That’s amazing! Why didn’t you tell me first?” “I never thought I’d still get to see you in this life.” Marcus didn’t waste time. “I’m headed to Riverton now. Octavio Byrd’s company. We’ll meet there.” Abe, an old man, sounded like a kid, he was so happy. After Marcus left, Ellen Hale drifted up beside Zara, eyeing her with thinly veiled malice. “Zara, you little vixen, what are you doing here again? I’m telling you, if my daughter doesn’t want Marcus, you’re still not getting him.” Zara sighed and didn’t take the bait. Calmly, she said, “Aunt Ellen, I’m just Marcus’s friend. Don’t overthink it.” Ellen snorted. “Hmph. I don’t think you’re any good.” … Two hours later. Riverton. Outside Octavio Byrd’s office. Marcus met up with Abe. Abe was so excited he could hardly stand it. He kicked open the Byrd Loan Group’s door and bellowed, “Where’s Octavio Byrd? Get out here!”