Bride behind the mask novel (Marguerite) novel Chapter 813

Margot stood by the window, resting her elbows on the sill, hands cradling her chin, as she watched Manley with an amused grin.

"How did you get so friendly all of a sudden?"

She was genuinely surprised!

Manley, basking in the compliment, tilted his chin up proudly. "I've always been friendly!"

Margot gave his cheek a playful pinch. "Were you always this nice?"

Manley's mind drifted back to six months ago, recalling the times he’d teased Hayes and Teresa. A pang of guilt washed over him, and he couldn't bring himself to lie to Margot.

Sharp-witted Hayes quickly caught onto the implication in Margot's words and asked pointedly, "So, you're saying Manley wasn't nice before? But... how would you know that?"

Margot was momentarily taken aback, stammering as she tried to find the right words. She eventually burst into a fit of giggles, pointing at Manley. "Hahaha~ Because we're both chubby, and everyone says I'm a troublemaker, so he must be one too!"

Manley, with a sense of righteous indignation, thumped his chest. "Who dares call you a troublemaker? I'll stand up for you!"

Margot gestured towards Hayes and asked, "What about him? Will he protect me too?"

"Well, about him..." Manley glanced at Hayes, then leaned in to whisper in Margot's ear. "He's all caught up with his sister right now, so he might not have time for you. I'll protect you for now."

Margot's face lit up with a goofy, sweet smile, feeling happier by the second.

Before they knew it, school was out.

Manley insisted on waiting with Margot at the gate for her parents, leaving Hayes trailing behind, resigned to follow.

Worried that the charade might unravel, Margot quickly clamored to leave, and Silas, coaxing his daughter, ushered her into the car.

Gently placing the little one into the backseat's child seat, he buckled her in with a tender touch, casually asking, "Do your two little buddies usually head home on their own? Their mom doesn’t pick them up?"

Margot shook her head. "Their mom works a lot, so a babysitter usually picks them up."

As Silas settled into the driver’s seat, he glanced out the window, noticing Hayes still watching him with a scrutinizing look and a somber expression.

Silas couldn't help but chuckle, pointing out the window. "What's up with him? Bad day?"

Margot didn't need to look to know her dad was referring to Hayes. She patted her dad's shoulder, whispering conspiratorially, "Dad, Hayes' little brother told me their mom's going on a date today! That's why Hayes is upset!"