Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 189

"It's fine. I'm just meeting a classmate."

A flash of annoyance crossed Mara's eyes. Lacey's hovering was becoming suffocating.

Norman pulled up to the driveway shortly after. Realizing she couldn't stop her, Lacey felt a sudden, unsettling realization that her daughter was shockingly stubborn.

"If you absolutely must go, I'm coming with you. And we're bringing extra security."

"I don't need you there, Mom. I'll be back before you know it."

"Sweetheart, listen to me. Let me go with you.

I'll stay in the car while you talk to your friend. I promise I won't get in your way."

"I said I don't need you! Why are you forcing this?"

Mara snapped, already dragging Norman toward the exit.

She was already stressed out of her mind, and Lacey's relentless hovering was pushing her over the edge.

Mrs. Mercer flinched in shock. Mara had never raised her voice at her like that before.

"It's alright, Mrs. Mercer. I'll be with her, and we'll take a few guards. We'll be back shortly."

Norman smoothly intervened, defusing the tension.

Though he had no idea what was going on, his instincts screamed that Mara had a very shady reason for sneaking out.

Norman had always been incredibly composed and reliable. His reassurance successfully put Lacey's mind at ease.

She easily chalked up Mara's hostile tone to adolescent impatience.

"Alright. Hurry back. Call me if anything happens."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Norman strode ahead, opening the car door and offering a smooth bow. "After you, Miss."

As the luxury SUV pulled away from the sprawling Mercer estate, Norman glanced over at Mara. "Where to?"

"The... the East District Police Department."

She mumbled the words, her voice barely a whisper.

"What did you do?"

Gone was the deferential tone of a loyal servant. Instead, his voice cracked like a whip, laced with hard authority.

Even the bodyguards sitting in the back didn't bat an eye at the shift in dynamics.

They were all pawns on Mr. Porter's chessboard, and Norman vastly outranked Mara.

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