The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 468

Staring at the pile of belongings at the doorstep, Gabby felt her icy heart thaw for the first time. She had been disillusioned with the world, never expecting to find such camaraderie in the most desolate of places.

Wiping a tear from her eye, Gabby choked up with gratitude towards the housemaids gathered outside. "Thank you, thank you all so much."

The maids didn't respond; instead, they scattered as if they had seen something—or someone—they didn't want to mess with.

Gabby followed their gaze and saw a young boy, around eleven or twelve, approaching. He had an air of confidence and walked up to her with his chin slightly raised, "I hear Grandpa got me a new plaything?"

Confused by the boy's words, Gabby was speechless, unsure of how to respond.

The boy's temper flared when she didn't answer. "I'm talking about that little girl who came with you. Where did you hide her?"

Gabby's eyes blazed with anger. Anna, her dear daughter whom she had raised with such care, was nobody's plaything! As she was about to set the boy straight, Anna appeared beside her with a beaming smile. "Hey there, are you here to play with me?"

The boy was momentarily taken aback by Anna's angelic face but quickly regained his composure. "Yeah, come on."

He walked off without looking back, and Anna was about to follow when Gabby grabbed her. "Sweetheart, you're too young to go off with strangers," she said worriedly.

Anna stood on tiptoe, kissed Gabby's cheek, and whispered, "Don't worry, Mommy; you told me never to show what I'm really capable of, remember? I'll be okay."

With that, Anna skipped away, every bit the innocent child, yet also astoundingly precocious for her mere two years. Gabby stood rooted to the spot, realizing for the first time that Anna might just be the wiser one of the two.

*

In Hawaii, Magnus was shocked to learn that Lucius was still alive. He immediately began investigating Lucius' dealings in Dubai.

Paul was dispatched to Dubai to dig into Lucius' affairs. Though Lucius was now a prisoner, he had many allies. With Magnus' resources, Paul was able to uncover the extent of Lucius' activities.