Chapter 175 They Were Almost Kidnapped
Their excitement trailed off at the sight of Arissa’s stern look.
She scanned the kids from head to toe. Seeing that they were completely unscathed, she sighed inwardly, but she still kept a straight face.
“Now, tell me. Why did you skip school?”
Her fury made them jump out of their skin.
“Don’t you know that everyone’s worried about you?” Arissa snapped, seeing red.
Their disappearance kept the teachers and principal on pins and needles. When the school told her about it, she was almost scared to death.
“Mommy, I’m sorry…” Zachary apologized as he kept his head low.
He was sorry because they failed to inform Arissa before executing their plan. They wanted to tell her after they captured the perpetrators.
It was Gavin’s first time seeing Arissa swell with wrath. He was somewhat frightened.
He knew he had to take responsibility.
So, he came forward. He shielded Zachary and fessed up, “Mommy, I-I’m really sorry. It was my idea. I led them out of the school. I’m the one to blame. Please don’t be mad at Zachary.”
Realizing that her kids were afraid of her, Arissa did her best to contain her anger.
Bradley walked over to them and put in a good word for the kids.
“Hey, hey… Boss, hold your fire. They were right to get out of school. Who knows where they might be right now if they hadn’t?”
“What did you just say?” Arissa stared daggers at Bradley.
“They were almost kidnapped,” Bradley said as he gulped.
Arissa broke out in a cold sweat when she heard that. So, it’s true. Someone really did try to take them away.
She turned to her children, but none of them dared to look her in the eyes.
It tugged at her heartstrings.
Squatting down, she pulled Gavin and the others into her embrace.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t mean to be mad at you. I assumed you were wandering around for no reason. I was worried you might be in danger. I should’ve controlled my anger…”
Arissa hugged them tightly.
If anything happens to you, who knows what I might do to that woman?
Zachary and Gavin secretly exchanged meaningful glances. See, what did I tell you? Mommy can’t stay mad at you.
“We’re sorry for not telling you in advance, Mommy. You must be worried sick,” Gavin whimpered as he patted Arissa on the back.
“Please forgive us, Mommy. We should’ve told you ahead of time,” Zachary quickly added.
“Mommy, I was wrong.” Oliver’s eyes reddened.
“Mommy, we know what we did wrong. Sorry…” Jasper pouted.
“Sorry for scaring you, Mommy.” Tears ran down Jesse’s cheek.
Mommy’s so scary just now, but she’s right. We’re in the wrong.
Arissa kissed their foreheads and gave them a tight embrace.
“It was my fault for rounding on you without understanding the situation. I should apologize too.”
She let go of them, caressed their cheeks, and wiped away the tears on Jesse’s face.
“It wasn’t your fault, Mommy.” Zachary looked at her timidly. “It was ours.”
Arissa ran her fingers over their hair.
“Boss, I think we should go,” Bradley reminded Arissa. They still had other important things to do.
Arissa nodded. She and her children got into the backseat of the car while Bradley opened the door to the driver’s seat.
“Sweethearts, are you hurt?”
Looking at her children, she acknowledged her lingering fear. I can’t imagine what I would do if I lost you.
“Not at all,” Jasper said, shaking his head.
Then, he and Oliver explained how they subdued the kidnappers.
Arissa smiled with relief.
Her children seemed to have great self-defense skills.
Nevertheless, she could not bring herself to let her guard down. They got lucky too. If they had encountered a skilled fighter, they might not be able to pull it off.
“Sweethearts, why have you come to Olswick?” Arissa asked when she regained her composure.
She looked to Zachary and Gavin for answers.
“We came here to catch the bad guys, Mommy.”
Gavin tensed up, exuding a strong aura.
