Sorry, I'm the Final Boss Now novel Chapter 99

Theobald and Anna were still in Oakfield, so Nancy was the one to pick Marguerite up again the next morning.

“We’re going back to the slums,” Marguerite said, buckling her seatbelt.

“Did you find out where he is?” Nancy asked.

“Yes, we’re heading there now. He should still be there.” George had given her the information from the canvass over breakfast. The police had searched all night and finally located them, using the pretext of a census registration to find out where they were without raising alarm.

Her phone rang—an unknown number. Without a second thought, she declined the call. It rang again, and she declined it again.

“Why aren’t you answering?” Nancy asked, curious.

“It might be a scam call. Theobald said someone at your company got scammed out of ten grand by answering an unknown number.”

Nancy was surprised. “Really? That’s the first time I’ve heard about it.”

Marguerite nodded. “It’s better to be safe. I saw a video on TikTok yesterday about a guy who got scammed. They took every penny he had—all fifty-six dollars in his bank account.”

Nancy burst out laughing. “Ouch! That’s brutal!”

…

Joshua scowled as his call was declined for the second time. Had Theobald given Marguerite his number? He tried calling from his backup phone, but that too was immediately declined.

What was going on? Was this even her number? Had the private investigator scammed him?

[The calls aren’t going through. Are you sure you gave me the right number?] he texted.

The PI replied quickly: [It’s definitely the right one. Just keep trying.]

Joshua: [If I keep trying, she’ll just block me.]

PI: [Well, that’s a shame.]

Joshua’s nostrils flared in anger. He sent a message to his assistant.

[Why haven’t I seen anything trending online? What am I paying you for?]

The assistant replied promptly: [They won’t let us promote it. They’re refusing to take our money. There’s nothing I can do.]

It had to be George. He must have warned them in advance.

The woman on the ground suddenly sat up and clung to Aaron. “No, we’re not going back! We’re not! Go away! Get out of here!” She grabbed a nearby water bottle and threw it at Marguerite.

Before Marguerite could react, Aaron threw himself in front of her. The bottle hit him squarely in the back, and he let out a pained grunt. His eyes, hidden behind his long bangs, were filled with guilt. “You should go. I can’t go with you.”

Marguerite’s brow furrowed. She pulled Aaron aside and spoke to the woman in a soft, gentle voice. “I’m not a bad person. I’m here to protect you.”

The woman’s frantic expression softened, and her eyes grew hazy. “Pro… protect us?”

Marguerite’s words were like a knife twisting in Aaron’s heart. He bit his lip hard. “We…”

She shot him a glare. “Quiet. You’re coming with me. Now.”

The familiar, ingrained authority in her voice silenced any further protest. He shouldered his backpack and helped the woman to her feet. “Jenny, this is my sister. We’re going with her.”

The woman stood up and stared at Marguerite for a long moment. Her eyes, for some reason, grew red. “So pretty,” she whispered.

The car couldn’t navigate the narrow slum roads, so they had to walk back to the entrance. Jenny’s condition was poor; she coughed up blood several times along the way. Nancy helped support her, and the four of them made their way out.

When they reached the main road, they found Joshua waiting for them. He frowned at the two disheveled figures with Marguerite but still stepped forward, offering his help. “Marguerite, do you need a hand?”