Supreme Mars novel Chapter 69

"Mr. Cruz?" Marie was still in shock. "What are you doing here?"

As soon as those words left her mouth, it hit her.

This must be what Leo was talking about earlier? When he told her that they were waiting for someone, he must be referring to Mr. Cruz.

"Please come back to school, Marie," Mr. Cruz pleaded. "I'm begging you."

Mr. Cruz placed the bag on the floor and bowed his head slightly. For a moment, Marie thought the man was about to prostrate himself before her, but seconds later, he began pleading with her again.

"I admit that we've made a mistake by expelling you," Mr. Cruz said. "We're aware of our mistake now, and it'll never happen again. Now, please. Will you do us the honor of returning?"

Marie was just about to agree, but then something stopped her. It was a wave of anger, of rage. Why should she agree to their request now? Why should she allow herself to be bossed around by these people? "Oh, so now you want me back?" Marie rolled her eyes. "You were the one who expelled me." Marie glared down at the man. "Why should I listen to you people? When you asked me to leave, I left! And now you think I'm going to come crawling back to you just because you asked me to return? Well, guess what? I'm done! I've had enough of you people jerking me around."

Gordon Cruz was on the verge of tears at that point. "What do you want from me, Marie?" Gordon sighed. "I'm down on my knees, begging for your return. What more do you want?"

Leo's voice rang out before Marie could speak. "Mr. Guerrero sent you here, didn't he?" When Marie turned around, she saw that Leo was smiling.

Gordon's heart stilled. Mr. Cohen was right. Mr. Guerrero did send him here.

That morning, Gordon was summoned into the office of a furious Darren Guerrero. Mr. Guerrero then showed Gordon today's paper.

That was how Gordon found out about the arrest of Shawn Harris and Cedric’s "interesting" sexual preferences. Both had made the front page of today's paper.

To everyone else, those two events seemed unconnected; but Darren Guerrero knew better. Those two events were linked, and the connection between them was none other than Marie Henderson. Both had happened right after they all tried to mess with Miss Henderson.

What Darren couldn't figure out was how anyone in the city could fuck Cedric Reyes up in just one day.

Regardless, Darren sent Gordon Cruz on a mission after he found out what happened to Cedric and Shawn. He told Gordon to bring Marie Henderson back to the university at all costs. To give Gordon a little extra "incentive," Darren even threatened Gordon's job. Darren told Gordon that he'd be fired if he failed to convince Miss Henderson to return to the university.

That was why Gordon had shown up in front of the villa, why he was down on his knees before Marie Henderson, begging for forgiveness.

"Go back and tell Darren Guerrero that we'll discuss Miss Henderson's return to university at a much later date," Leo said coolly. "Also..." Leo flicked a glance at the kneeling man. "Emerdale University will no longer be her first choice even if she does decide to return to her studies."

Gordon went into a panic. "Please don't, Mr. Cohen!" Gorden sighed and hung his head. "Please tell us if you have any demands. We'll try our best to accommodate—"

"Don't you get it yet, Mr. Cruz?" Leo snapped. "You think you can settle this matter with an apology and some groveling? After everything you people have done, you think you can get off the hook that easily?"

Gordon froze.

"Tell Darren that if he wants forgiveness, he should show up here himself," Leo said coldly. "Tell him to kneel in front of this house for an entire afternoon. Then we'll talk."

Gordon opened his mouth to protest, but was once again silenced by the dangerous look in Leo's eyes. In the end, Gordon got up to his feet and slunk away.

After Gordon left, Marie went back into the house and sat down beside Leo. "How did you know the university will send someone to beg me to return?" she asked anxiously.

"Oh, that's simple." Leo smiled. "It all begins with Shawn Harris' arrest."

Marie stared at Leo blankly. "Okay?"

Leo chuckled. "There was nothing wrong with your prescription, Marie." Leo regarded Marie with serious eyes. "Your prescription was accurate. The problem, however, was the herbs." Leo smirked. " And guess who the supplier is?"

Marie's eyes widened. "Julton Pharmaceutical."

Leo nodded. "Indeed. And only your herbs were problematic." Leo's eyes slid to Marie's face. "This means that the university was in on the whole thing. Shawn Harris, the university, and Julton Pharmaceutical. They were all part of the scheme. The moment one them got into trouble, the other two will start to squirm. That's exactly what happened here, by the way. The school panicked when they found out what happened to their two accomplices. They thought they'd be next, so they sent someone to get you back." Leo snorted. "Cedric Reyes came up with the whole scheme, if you ask me. I bet the university is willing to do anything to obtain more funding from Julton Pharmaceutical. That alone is enough to get Darren Guerrero to do Cedric's bidding. They probably worship Cedric like some kind of god at the university."

"Cunning bastards," Marie growled. All of a sudden, Marie's anger disappeared and she peered up at Leo. "Are you really going to make the chancellor knee in front of the house?"

Leo stood up and stared out the window with a faraway look in his eyes. "Criminals should be punished for their sins. Otherwise, the world will be without order."

***

When Darren Guerrero showed up in front of the villa, the gates were closed.

He looked past the gates towards the front door of the house. What he saw brought a scowl to his face, but he kneeled in front of the gates nonetheless.

The scorching sun hung high above his head. Soon, his forehead was beaded with perspiration.

Cars had slowed as they drove past the villa. A few passers-by had gawked at him.

It was a mortifying experience, but Darren had no choice but to yield to Mr. Cohen's demands.