"Mom, who said I didn''te back?" Just as they were discussing, Preston''s somewhat indignant


    voice rang out, followed by his entrance from the hallway.


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "There you are! Come here," Karen said happily, seeing Preston.


    Preston quickly responded, "No thanks, I don''t want toe over just to get a lecture."


    Then, he looked at Nicole and motioned to her, "Come over here."


    He showed up because he knew Nicole had a reason for calling everyone together. As the only single


    guy in the family, he dreaded the idea of facing his mom and aunts all at once.


    Nicole, understanding what Preston was thinking, gave a small smile. "Why don''t youe over here


    instead?"


    Preston reluctantly approached and sat down near the couch.


    "Grandpa," he greeted Benjamin before adopting an expression that said he was ready for the


    inevitable fuss.


    "Sit down, let''s talk," Benjamin shook his head gently, adding, "Everyone''s just concerned about you."


    "Yeah, I get it," Preston could only agreepliantly. ''What else can I do but listen?''


    Nicole smiled before speaking up, "The reason I asked everyone toe today is to share some


    important news."


    "Is it about you and Jared nning your wedding?" Gloria couldn''t help but ask.


    Nicole, slightly amused yet exasperated, responded, "Mom, that''s not the priority right now. I have


    something more important to discuss."


    Realizing her over-eagerness, Gloria felt a bit embarrassed and urged, "Go ahead, then." She


    acknowledged she might have gotten a little carried away without giving it much thought.


    With a more serious tone, Nicole said, "I want to talk about Everett. Initially, I didn''t want everyone to be


    aware, to avoid unnecessary worry. But after giving it some thought, it''s about everyone''s safety, so it''s


    better to be informed and take precautions."


    "What''s happened with Everett now?" Benjamin''s voice was deep, tinged with a hint ofchill.


    After Nicole recounted the situation, she advised everyone, "So, be careful whenever you go out from


    now on."


    "Is Er in the most danger now?" Emma asked, her face pale with worry.


    "Don''t worry, Mom, there are people protecting me," Er reassured her.


    Nicole addedfortingly, "Emma, rest assured, we''ve arranged for people to protect Er discreetly."


    Emma nodded, yet her expression remained fraught with concern.


    "There won''t be any issues. Let''s leave it to them," Dexterforted her, patting Emma''s shoulder.


    "And you, try not to go out these days, or if you need to, I''ll apany you."


    He felt that given the risks, they indeed needed to be more cautious.


    Firstly, for their own safety, and secondly, to avoid causing any trouble for the young ones.


    "Maybe we should hold off on the wedding. You shouldn''t go out for now," Tia suggested to Gloria,


    worried that her wedding might expose them to


    danger.


    Gloria smiled reassuringly and said, "Don''t worry, I''ll make sure everything is arranged safely."


    Gloria thought that since the wedding was already nned, they shouldn''t change it lightly. They could


    have the nnerse to their home or make sure everything was well-arranged before going out.


    "But..." Tia was still worried. ''Nicole sensed that Everett might seek revenge, but it isn''t certain to be


    directed just at her.''


    Seeing everyone getting anxious, Nicole frowned. She had expected this, which was why she had


    hesitated to tell the family at first. She didn''t want this news to disrupt everyone''s normal life, but it


    seemed unavoidable.


    Feeling her concern, Jared gently squeezed Nicole''s hand, reassuring her," Everyone''s safety is the


    most important thing. Well be okay once Everett is caught."


    Nicole nodded lightly in agreement.