Chapter 298 The Madman Appears! James, Take Gloria Home

Chapter 298 The Madman Appears! James, Take Gloria Home

Gloria had seen James when he was obsessive, almost unhinged.

But in all the years she'd known him, he'd only shown that unhealthy obsession a few times.

The man in front of her, though, made Gloria the feeling that he was born a lunatic.

Because of her history with James, Gloria had developed a deep psychological trauma around people like this. .

Caspian pulled Gloria behind him, using his tall frame to block the man's gaze .

"Mr. Knight, we appreciate the kind offer, but Gloria is pregnant and needs proper rest. James, you must take Gloria home."

Caspian's seemingly simple statement was actually warning Gloria not to follow—you're pregnant; the baby in your belly comes first.

The second meaning was directed at James—the situation is dangerous now, and he couldn't trust Gloria with anyone else.

In this world, besides himself, only James would risk his life to protect her.

Though James didn't know what was between them, those two sentences told him something was wrong.

Caspian's tone carried a sense of tragic resolve.

He was going to face danger alone and entrust Gloria to James’s care.

James frowned slightly. Though he loved Gloria, now that she and Caspian loved each other, he didn't want to use this situation to take advantage.

Even if Caspian said nothing, he would feel ashamed of himself.

James didn't follow his instruction. He stepped forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with Caspian, shielding Gloria behind them.

"I've heard much about Mr. Knight. I've always wanted to meet you. I'll keep you company—my brother still needs to look after his wife."

Gloria's gaze fixed on the broad, straight line of James's back. In the pale moonlight, the sight of him sent a stabbing pain through her heart.
In the past, she'd only wanted him to stand by her side once, to shield her from the storms outside.

Back then, he'd let the rumors spread for the sake of power. Now they were divorced, yet he was protecting her regardless of everything that had happened.

But Gloria didn't need it anymore.

She didn't want to accept his feelings.

They'd made a clean break. If she owed him, they'd continue to be entangled.

She couldn't give James any promises or feelings, and it would hurt Caspian.

In the end, it would only make all three of them unhappy. Gloria didn't want that to happen.

Yet fate's gears wouldn't let her go, constantly pulling the three of them together.

Caspian wasn't surprised. It proved what he'd said before.

The Rivers family's rule was simple—never hurt family.

He trusted Daniel, and he trusted that James wouldn't take advantage of the situation.

But the man in front of them was someone James couldn't handle.

He had no idea how terrifying Milo really was.

After hearing James's words, Milo laughed softly. "I've heard the Rivers family members are united, but I never imagined they'd be united enough for two brothers to share one woman. This makes me even more curious—just how good is this woman?"

His words were full of mockery,every implication aimed at Gloria.

Caspian's expression turned dark, his refinement gone.

He'd lost his patience and said coldly, "James, take Gloria and leave. Now."

In this moment, brotherly affection was forgotten—Caspian was the king standing on high, issuing orders in a tone that left James no room to refuse.
Everyone present was perceptive. James got Caspian's meaning.

He'd be useless there, possibly even a burden.

Though he felt reluctant, James, like Gloria, had been won over by Caspian's character along the way. He trusted Caspian.

"I understand."

He turned to look at Gloria. "Gloria, I'll take you home first."

Gloria's mind was in chaos. What exactly was Caspian going to do?

Five years ago, what had he traded with Milo? What were the words Milo hadn't said out loud?

Gloria didn't want to leave. She couldn't let Caspian put himself at risk for her—she already owed Caspian so much.

If something happened to Caspian, how could she ever repay him?

If it were anyone else, Gloria wouldn't be this nervous.

Milo was someone even Caspian said was dangerous.

But if she didn't leave, what could a pregnant woman do?

Gloria stood in the cold wind, hating her own weakness at this moment.

Why was she always the one being protected?

She'd gotten Vivienne killed, lost her baby, and now was she going to drag Caspian down too?

What should she do?

What could she do?

Gloria had long known the huge gap in status and position—a chasm ordinary people could never cross in their lifetime.

Even when many women became trophy wives and could finally call themselves part of highsociety, they still faced that gap.

In reality, they were controlled by wealthy families, just pretending to be glamorous in public, never able to cross that invisible class barrier.

Like now—she wanted to help Caspian, but she had no connections, no status.

She could only ask members of the Rivers family!

Caspian saw what she was thinking and reached up to ruffle her hair. "What are you thinking? I'm just having dinner with Mr. Knight. I might be back a bit late tonight."

Gloria threw herself into his arms anxiously, wrapping her arms around his waist. "No matter how late, I'll wait for you."

Caspian kissed her forehead, wanting to kiss away her worries.

"Okay."

Gloria let him go. James and Caspian exchanged a glance, and he left with Gloria.

Behind them came Milo's voice: "Caspian, tonight, we drink until we drop."

Caspian responded coldly, "I'll see it through to the end."

Gloria returned to the car and looked at Joseph.

Joseph's expression was ice-cold now, as if facing a great enemy.

"Joseph, take more people to follow Caspian."

But Joseph clenched his fist hard. "Don't worry, I'll leave some people, but I must personally see you home."

"No, Caspian he..."

Joseph, who never showed any aggression, suddenly looked at Gloria, his eyes filled with killing intent.

This was a side of Joseph Gloria had never seen—his full presence unleashed.

He was like a rusty blade unsheathed, his whole body soaked in sharp killing intent.

He said word by word, "Mrs. Rivers, please get in the car. This is the boss's order."

He was Caspian's soldier—even if he died, he could only follow Caspian's commands.

James opened the car door for Gloria and sat down with her.

Gloria pressed against the car window, watching Caspian get into that man's business van, her heart twisting.

She took out her phone, wanting to tell Isabella.

But Joseph spoke up: "Mrs. Rivers, don't worry. This is Silverlake Springs—Milo won't do anything. If you make that call, the consequences will be disastrous."

Gloria felt this matter wasn't so simple.

"What deal did Caspian and Milo make back then?"

Joseph gripped the steering wheel tightly, staring at the pitch-black night. "Nothing much, just a bet. Mr. Rivers won, that's all."

"What was the bet?"

"Just the usual stuff. Mrs. Rivers doesn't need to worry. You just need to believe that Mr. Rivers isn't ordinary. Milo can't touch him—unless he's ready to die too and bring about mutual destruction."

No one was that stupid. After all, Gloria had nothing to do with him.

At most, she was just a small-time actress he didn't get to back then—not worth stirring up too much trouble over.

Maybe she was just too nervous. After losing Vivienne, Caspian had become her most important person. She was so afraid of losing Caspian that she had become this anxious.

The conversation gave James a general understanding of what had happened.

He suddenly remembered that day when Gloria stood in the darkness—it was midsummer, yet her whole body was ice-cold.

Soon after, she wore a several-million-dollar haute couture dress at an awards ceremony, dominating entertainment headlines. Afterward, she said the company had specially borrowed it for her.

He'd questioned it, and she'd looked upset, asking if he thought she didn't deserve it. James had quickly placated her and didn't look into it further.

Thinking back now, her words were full of holes.

He interlaced his fingers, frowning as he asked, "The matter of Milo offering eighty million dollars to keep you..."

Gloria gripped her phone tightly, her tone cold: "It's true."