Ambush of the Quadruplets novel Chapter 4

Emmeline showed up an hour late to the kindergarten.

“Ms. Louise,” the kindergarten teacher said apologetically. “We just got a visit from the Ryker family and they said that they would shut the kindergarten down unless your son stays. The principal thought that it’d be best to send Moon home first.”

Upon realizing that the Rykers would go to such extremes for a child, Emmeline’s brow furrowed in surprise. It was likely Alana’s doing, given her abundance of idle time.

“What the.” Emmeline smiled. “I don’t see the point of sending them to school if they hate it, so I’ll be keeping them at home for a few days.”

“I agree,” the teacher commented. “Your children are really smart, Ms. Louise. I hate to admit it, but we often have to look up the answers to their questions online.”

“Thank you for your hard work thus far,” Emmeline hastily thanked.

“You should go back and look after your children then.” The teacher took a glance at the time. “They should be home by now.”

After bidding farewell, Emmeline drove back to Nightfall Cafe in the old Phaeton car. Once she had reached the cafe, she found Endymion getting occupied by the computer in the study room.

“Hey, Moon.” Emmeline ruffled his hair. “You hungry yet?”

“Nope,” Endymion replied as his eyes were fixated on the red dot on the screen. “Is Star still with great-grandfather?”

“Yeah, he’ll be there playing for a while.”

“Sun is heading that way too.”

“He’s with Abel right now and they’re going to see his grandfather at the hospital.”

“How did it go with daddy?”

“Well,” Emmeline replied with a sigh. “He isn’t admitting to it.”

“Hmph!” Moon puffed up his cheeks. “What a jerk!”

“Pfft!” Emmeline chuckled. “He looks fine to me; he’s not a complete jerk.”

“Then why didn’t he admit that he’s our father? We’re four years old now!”

“I mean there’s no proof yet.” Emmeline scratched her head and mumbled, “Even mommy is getting a little confused…”

Suddenly, they heard the door below being kicked open and a lady shouting, “Emmeline Louise, get down here now!”

It was Emmeline’s stepmom, Alondra Lane.

“Stay here.” Emmeline patted her son’s head and said, “Mommy’s going to check what’s going on.”

“Okay.” Endymion nodded his head back. “Call me if something goes wrong.”

“Yes, sir!” Emmeline joked before rushing down the stairs. With each passing day, her kid grew more endearing—and, as she reflected on it, more like Abel!

“Are you out of your mind, Emmeline?” Alondra shouted toward the stairwell, “How dare you offend the Ryker family! They would’ve destroyed our only business! If it weren’t for Alana, the entire family would’ve bankrupted!”

Alana? Emmeline looked to the side and noticed that Alana had come along too. She was standing elegantly at the front door in a white dress. Many would-be customers decided against entering the cafe because of Alana’s intimidating presence. Emmeline held onto the railing and jumped down the remaining few steps.

“My dear cousin,” Alana sneered, “You’re already a mother yet you’re still running wild like a child?”

“Why won’t you shut up for once then?” Emmeline immediately grabbed a hold of Alana’s jaw and growled, “Go stand by the side like a mannequin, will you?”

Alondra swatted Emmeline’s hand away and scolded, “Don’t be ridiculous to my niece. She’s about to be married into the prestigious Ryker family!”

“Oh my, congratulations!” Emmeline sarcastically remarked.