Chapter 235 Little Angel in the Storm
The last week of September.
The last charity class.
I sat on the podium with my heavily pregnant belly, teaching calmly and clearly.
Lucas sat in the audience, watching me nervously.
There were still two months until my due date, but he already wanted me to stay home and prepare for childbirth. I couldn't stand being cooped up indoors.
Halfway through the class, Lucas suddenly gestured for me to pause.
I announced a five-minute break. Lucas quickly walked over, followed by Alfred, who looked anxious.
"Alfred just got a call from Angelina saying that the Marr family is coming."
"Angelina?" For a moment, I didn't know whether to be more surprised that Alfred and Angelina were in contact or that Angelina was tipping us off.
"Can we trust this?"
As soon as I finished speaking, Alfred answered firmly, "Yes!"
"Who's coming? Where are they now?" I slowly clenched my fists. "Let's evacuate these people first."
"Felix—Angelina's father. Don't worry, our people are all around the school. They can stop them."
I nodded, had Simeon gather the 21 students together under careful watch, then turned the microphone back on and calmly announced that today's class would end early.
The audience looked at me blankly, very reluctant to leave. I was about to urge them when Felix, surrounded by a group of Soldati, walked through the school gates.
These people were all carrying guns and swaggered as they pushed aside ordinary citizens and kicked over chairs that were in their way.
They were able to break in so smoothly not because Lucas's and my guards were too weak, but because they had taken two ordinary citizens hostage.
The crowd grew restless.
Cole and Alfred both raised their hands in a signal, and snipers on the roof got into position, aiming at Felix.
Felix stopped and greeted us. "Lucas, Isabella, long time no see."
"You came uninvited. What do you want?" Lucas instinctively moved to shield me.
Felix looked around. "Are you sure we should talk here?"
I grabbed Lucas's arm and said calmly into the microphone, finishing what I hadn't said before. "Class is ending early today. Everyone please leave through the side door in an orderly manner now."
The citizens nearest the side door quickly walked out, and the crowd began to move quietly. Everyone seemed very calm—no one was crying or shouting. In less than three minutes, the entire audience had left.
Felix was stunned, unable to process what had happened. "They...?"
So well-trained—were they really ordinary citizens?
A flash of understanding crossed Simeon's shocked expression. He seemed to realize something.
Even Lucas looked back at me in surprise. I smiled slightly and said quietly, "Herd effect. From the very first charity class, I repeatedly emphasized the order and path for leaving. Most people developed a conditioned reflex."
Lucas touched my face, his eyes overflowing with affection and admiration.
Felix came to his senses, reined in his arrogance, and clapped a few times to show his respect.
"Let them go," I said.
"I mean no harm." Felix gave his subordinates a look. "I just heard the charity classes were interesting and wanted to see for myself. I asked these two to show us the way."
Complete nonsense!
If I hadn't just given him a warning, Felix would definitely have killed those two people right in front of Lucas and me to establish his authority.
Lucas patted the back of my hand soothingly, had me sit safely in a chair, then asked Felix again what he wanted.
Felix sat down in an empty chair and smiled slightly. "Won't you join the rating committee? The rating committee really needs you."
Lucas refused flatly. "We're not interested."
Felix's face darkened. "We show you some respect, and you act so arrogant! Don't forget where you came from. Without Dawnharbor, would you be where you are today? Without joining the star rating system, both the Sorelli family and you, Lucas—you've reached your limit!"
"Is that so?" Lucas nodded dismissively, showing no fear. "We can't agree. Do you want to start a war?"
Felix glared at Lucas angrily, as if he hadn't expected Lucas to show him so little respect.
"Stop talking. We've been waiting for you long enough. Let's settle this quickly." Lucas was full of ambition, like a blade born for battle, its edge eager to taste blood.
Lucas’s and my Soldati formed a circle, trapping Felix in the middle. He had far fewer people than we did.
His expression grew panicked. Clearly, things weren't going as he'd expected!
The situation in Dawnharbor wasn't stable yet. He was so eager to see Lucas and me not because he really wanted to attack us, but because he wanted to win us over before the Thornfield family could.
Unfortunately, he had the wrong idea.
"You'll see." Finally, Felix left a threatening remark and hurried away in embarrassment.
Lucas watched him leave and had people monitor them. If they hadn't left Starstream City within three hours, they would be escorted to the airport.
"This wasn't a good sign," Lucas said. "The forces in Dawnharbor keep watching us. I'm afraid there will be endless trouble ahead. Should we continue the charity classes?"
"Yes." Meeting Lucas's disapproving gaze, I smiled. "I know you're worried about me. Don't worry, from now on, others will teach. I'll protect myself and the baby."
Lucas sighed with relief and reached out to hug me.
I patted his back. "Fortunately, there were no casualties today. Next time, we might not be so lucky."
Lucas agreed. Alfred, beside us, looked worried. "Mr. Valeri, Mrs. Valeri, what should we do? I can't reach Angelina anymore."
The Thornfield family and the Marr family used the star rating system to expand their territory, firmly controlling land transportation, sea routes, and commercial resource distribution centered around Dawnharbor.
Platinum Haven Hotel and BlueWave Maritime Group faced wave after wave of pressure and probing. Conflict was about to break out.
At the end of October, my due date was approaching.
Lucas deployed every force he could mobilize, staying alert day and night. Especially where we lived—the security level was at its highest.
He was so busy every day that he barely slept, just so I could eat well, drink well, and sleep well without worry.
We both decided to have the baby at home. After all, we had well-equipped medical facilities at home. We just needed to arrange for a trustworthy obstetrician to move in.
Lucas canceled all non-essential meetings and stayed by my side constantly.
Seeing how nervous he was, I somehow stopped feeling nervous myself.
On the evening of November 2nd, I woke up in the middle of the night as usual.
Lucas gently touched my head. "Do you need to use the bathroom?"
I answered groggily.
Lucas helped me to the bathroom. After lying back in bed, I suddenly felt very alert, with a feeling that something big was about to happen.
"Why aren't you sleeping yet? What are you doing?" I asked Lucas.
Lucas sat leaning against the headboard, with his tablet and phone beside him. He hesitated, then said, "Fighting broke out in Dawnharbor."
I opened my eyes wide with excitement. "What's happening? Who's fighting whom?"
Lucas said flatly, "Stephen made a move against the Thornfield family. Theron is dead."
I listened with great interest as he recounted the situation.
A few minutes later, I tugged at Lucas's sleeve.
"What's wrong?" He stopped talking and looked down at me tenderly.
I smiled and touched my belly. "I think the baby's coming."
The tenderness in Lucas's eyes instantly froze. He rushed out of the bedroom. "Doctor! Doctor!"