Chapter 39: Mrs. Landry's Promise

Chapter 39: Mrs. Landry's Promise
Mia's POV
I suspected Gavin was lying to me.
After three years together, I'd become familiar with his micro-expressions and body language.
His usual state was relaxed and confident, as if everything was under his control. Nothing ever seemed to trouble or unsettle him.
But now, as he held me, the muscles in his arms were tense.
His eyes unconsciously avoided my gaze, and his fingers trembled unnaturally.
David stepped forward to corroborate Gavin's story.
"Mia, we beat the hell out of this bastard. Several of his bones were broken by Mr. Adams."
He pointed to the man curled up on the ground, beaten half to death.
"We thoroughly checked his computer too."
I pulled away from Gavin's embrace. "Can I see the computer?"
"Mia!"
Gavin grabbed my wrist impatiently, stopping me from touching the laptop.
"Enough! Don't you even trust me?"
I looked into Gavin's eyes and fell silent for a moment.
What else could I do?
The computer was in his hands. The man was in his hands.
Pressing further would only anger him and lead nowhere.
I sighed and chose to compromise. "Okay, Gavin. Of course I trust you."
Seeing me back down, Gavin's tense body relaxed, and his tone became gentler.
He kissed my forehead.
"Your birthday's coming up soon," he said. "What would you like? Jewelry? A sports car? A house?"
His words only deepened my suspicions.
I forced a smile and shook my head. "I haven't decided yet."
After handling this matter, we returned to the villa.
When Peggy saw me, she immediately jumped off the sofa and ran toward me on her little legs, throwing herself into my arms.
Holding her soft little body, my irritation over Gavin's deception eased slightly.
Seeing Peggy reminded me I'd forgotten something important.
After taking Peggy from the preschool that day, I'd never dealt with Mrs. Landry.
Gavin raised an eyebrow. "I've already warned her privately. You don't need to worry."
He didn't elaborate, but I could imagine how terrified Mrs. Landry must have been.
I apologized to him. "I'm sorry, Gavin. I was too angry at the time and didn't think about the consequences. Will this cause any trouble for you and Eva's engagement?"
He looked amused, as if he'd heard something funny.
"Trouble? Mia, do you really think I care about that bullshit engagement?"
His words stunned me.
"But... it was personally arranged by Connor, and..."
"No buts."
He interrupted me, walked over, and lifted my chin with his hand.
"Besides, Peggy isn't even..."
He stopped mid-sentence.
I frowned and pressed him. "Isn't even what?"
Gavin shrugged, released my chin, and turned toward the wine cabinet.
"Nothing. You misheard." He poured himself a drink and changed the subject.
I felt my paranoia growing worse. I sensed Gavin was hiding many things from me.
"Mia," he reminded me, "shouldn't you be considering finding Peggy a new school?"
Yes, Gavin was right. I should move forward with that plan.
I held Peggy in my arms again, but her little face scrunched up.
"Mommy, I miss Emily and Tom."
Emily and Tom were her best friends from school.
"Oh, sweetheart..."
My heart ached. I couldn't bear to tell her she might never see Emily and Tom again.
She'd done nothing wrong, yet because of me, she'd lost her friends and her happy school life.
No, I couldn't accept this. For Peggy's sake, I had to see Mrs. Landry again.
I learned Mrs. Landry would be attending a charity gala that evening.
David quickly obtained an invitation for me.
I changed into an evening gown, stepped out of the sports car, and entered the ballroom.
Soon, I spotted Mrs. Landry surrounded by a group of socialites.
When she saw me, her smile froze for a moment. Then she quickly put on an enthusiastic expression and hurried toward me.
She took my hand proactively. "Mia, it's been so long."
Her tone was as intimate as if we were old friends.
The society ladies around her immediately studied me with curious eyes.
"Mrs. Landry," one of them asked, "who is this young lady? Which family is she from? We've never met her before."
"She..." Mrs. Landry stammered, unsure how to answer.
I didn't want to become the center of attention. "I'm just an ordinary person."
"Mrs. Landry, I'd like to speak with you privately."
I needed a private space to ensure the other ladies wouldn't overhear our conversation.
Fear and resistance flashed across her face. "Mia..."
I whispered in her ear. "Gavin wants to see you."
She swallowed nervously but didn't dare refuse my request.
We went to the gala's private lounge together.
Gavin's figure emerged from the shadows of the lounge.
Mrs. Landry's composure completely vanished. She nearly screamed, "Mr. Adams, I already know I was wrong! I swear I'll never do it again!"
"Please, don't threaten my husband anymore. His business can't survive without the Adams Group..."
I crossed my arms and watched her, thinking of what Peggy had endured at the preschool. I couldn't muster any sympathy for this woman.
"Mrs. Landry, because of your malicious ostracism, Peggy hasn't been able to return to school."
She was a smart woman and immediately understood my meaning.
"Mia, I promise that when Peggy returns to preschool, she won't face any more exclusion or isolation."
"I'll personally speak to those parents and I absolutely won't let what happened before happen again."
"Peggy is a lovely child. Please give me one more chance to make it up to her."
I nodded and looked at Gavin.
Gavin played with the wine glass in his hand. He showed a gentle smile that sent chills down one's spine.
"Mr. Adams, I swear I haven't told anyone about your relationship with Mia, including Peggy's existence."
She looked ready to cry.
Gavin nodded with satisfaction. "Good."
I left the lounge with Mrs. Landry.
As a high society lady, she naturally had close female friends.
Had she really not mentioned to anyone that Peggy was Gavin's daughter?
Despite her repeated assurances, I still felt uneasy.
Several women's gazes fell on me. They seemed to be whispering about something.