12:02


    <b>Chapter </b><b>189 </b>


    When the three of them entered, the café was quiet, with only <b>a </b>handful <b>of </b>customers. At one table sat three kids–one of whom was a head <b>taller </b>than the others.


    “Lessie, Zachary?” Karen, the cashier, was the first to spot them. “And this must be Mae?”


    The three children turned at the sound.


    “Alessia!” York hopped down from his chair and waved, Ivan following right behind. Zane, looking confused but curious, saw the others leaving and trailed after them.


    Alessia ruffled York’s hair affectionately before turning to Ivan. “How’s everything going?”


    Ivan nodded and tugged Zane closer.


    “A new friend?” Alessia asked, meeting Zane’s wide–eyed gaze. He brightened


    instantly, offering a polite greeting.


    “Hello, miss. My name’s Zane.”


    “New friend? Hah!” York scoffed. “He nearly made Ivan cry this morning!”


    Alessia nced at Ivan, who simply shook his head.


    “Big misunderstanding! I swear I didn’t bully Ivan. If I had, would he have brought me here? Right, Ivan?” Zane hurried to exin, desperate not to make a bad


    impression on Alessia.


    Ivan nodded, about to speak, but York cut in again.


    “Please. You practically begged for a ride in my car.”


    “York!” Alessia put a firm hand on York’s head before the bickering could escte. “Let’s eat first. We can talk about thister.”


    York pouted, only then noticing Mae behind Alessia.


    “Mr. York.”


    “Mae? What are you doing here?” York put his hands behind his back, in a manner that made him look far older than he was.


    “Mr. York, I… I resigned. I won’t be working for the Tate family anymore.”


    <b>12.02 </b>


    “You <b>quit</b>? Was it because that woman shoved <b>your </b>bid the fire your wal <b>back </b><b>with </b><b>me </b>I’ll stand up for yout She’s so cruel, trying to get rid of my Rex and <b>shoving </b>you down the stairs. No wonder they say the wickedest hearts belong <b>to </b>wicked women.”


    At that, Alessia gave York a sharp flick to the forehead.


    “What was that for? Am I wrong?”


    “Think about thatst thing you said.”


    York realized he’d crossed a line. He rubbed his nose sheepishly. “I wasn’t talking about you guys…” he muttered, backing down when Alessia shot him a warning look.


    “Still Ileana, huh?” Karen muttered, her smile tight and <b>forced</b>.


    Mae, who’d worked for the Tate family for years, clearly wasn’t about to badmouth her former employers. She could only manage an awkward smile.


    “I know what happened,” Alessia said tly. “Ileana tried to get rid of York’s dog while we took him to the amusement park. Rex is smart–he ran into the house for cover. Mae happened toe out just then, and Ileana pushed her down the steps–broke her leg<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    Karen and Zachary looked shocked, disappointment flickering in their eyes.


    “Well, might as well tell you everything. Yesterday, I went out to confront Ileana. Didn’t do much–just dislocated her shoulder. Figured she should know what pain


    feels like…”


    “What?” Karen and Zachary gaped at her, and for a moment Alessia thought they were about to scold <b>her </b>for touching their precious foster daughter.


    But Zachary’s next question caught her off guard. “Did you leave any evidence?”


    “Excuse me?”


    “Yeah! If she tries to press charges, what then? No, this won’t do. We need Ethan back here so we can work out a n. We can’t let her get the upper hand.”


    “Huh?” Alessia blinked, momentarily speechless.


    “What are you waiting for? Zachary, quick–call Ethan. Have hime home. We need to sort this out before anyone gets in trouble.”