The Mafia Heiress's Comeback: She's More Than You Think novel Chapter 265

Chapter 265 The Gifts Were

Gone

“I guess so. Regardless, I’ve already spoken with your people, and they’ve already reached Voutsas. With us working together, there shouldn’t be any major problem.”

Lucien told Maren he’d encountered her people while she was in the survival trial on the island.

“Alright.” Maren gave a simple nod.

No briefings had reached her yet. She assumed her people likely hadn’t realized she was back in Voutsas after her early departure from the island.

“Everything’s gone quiet, hasn’t it?”

Lucien, after a short exchange, noted how eerily still the area had become.

To be precise, since they’d taken shelter behind the barrier, not a sound had echoed. Even the distant sniper had fired just one round.

“Wait here. I’m going to investigate.”

Maren’s gaze swept the surroundings, with special focus on the high–rises nearby. She examined each rooftop

twice.

Then she vaulted over the barrier.

To her surprise, the twenty men who’d challenged Lucien–and their transport–had vanished.

“They just disappeared?” Lucien waited, then climbed over to stand next to her when the silence continued.

“Seems like they cleared out.”

Maren turned around and headed back to the vehicle, easing into the front passenger spot.

Lucien took his place behind the wheel, fired up the car, and was about to drive off when he caught a glimpse in the mirror and yelled.

“Damn! The gifts are gone!”

The painting and the obsidian on the back seat were gone.

“I’ve got a solid guess who’s behind this.” Maren’s tone was steady as she stared at the now–empty seat.

“Who would do something like that?” Lucien asked, visibly agitated.

“These were meant for your grandfather’s celebration, right?”

Lucien nodded. “Yeah.”

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Chapter 265 The Gifts Were Gone

“Then think. Who wouldn’t want you to succeed with those gifts?”

“Higgs!” Lucien blinked, realization hitting.

Only Higgs would be so worried the gifts Lucien brought might outshine his own.

“So he went through all this just to steal the gifts? Why not take me out instead?” Lucien muttered, frustrated.

“Taking your life would’ve served him too, but it’d also raise suspicion. Your grandfather would launch a full investigation. Higgs needs to win clean–or at least make it look that way. But maybe he did think about killing you, and you just got away in time,” Maren said, still puzzling through the situation.

“So what’s the plan now? Should we return and search for replacement items?” Lucien’s voice tightened.

Maren lifted the pocket watch with a smirk. “The most treasured one is still in my possession, isn’t it?”

“They didn’t take this one?” Lucien asked, eyes wide as he took the watch from her fingers.

He examined it repeatedly, eyebrows furrowing until he finally confirmed it was the same one they’d won from

Dunn.

“Pure chance. It was the most important one, so I kept it with me,” Maren replied nonchalantly.

“You’re unreal, Maren!” Lucien’s grin stretched wide as he pressed a kiss to the metal casing.

The annoyance he’d felt earlier melted into relief.

“Okay then, drive me,” she said, reclining into the seat as the tension in her shoulders eased.

A glance at her phone told her it was creeping towards midday.

Lucien had just turned the key when he glanced over, confused. “You’re not coming with me? Guests will start arriving for the banquet soon.”

“I’ll show up later.”

After everything lately, Maren had grown tired of social gatherings. If not for the Marshalls, she wouldn’t bother attending at all.

She wanted to stop by Isla’s school first.

Even though the Voutsas Middle School’s principal had been asked to keep an eye on things, and Stormclaw had been stationed nearby, she still wasn’t at ease after being away for so long.

She needed to confirm with her own eyes that everything was okay.

“Need a ride somewhere?” Lucien offered, sensing Maren had intentions of her own. He didn’t press–her arrival before the evening event was all that mattered.

“Voutsas Middle School,” Maren replied.

“Ah, going to meet that girl,” Lucien said, instantly catching on and redirecting the vehicle.

During the drive, he shot her a sideways glance, unable to restrain his curiosity. “What’s the deal between you two? You’re clearly invested. Is she your kid?”

Back when Lucien had looked into Maren’s records, he also tried uncovering Isla’s. Oddly enough, nothing

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Chapter 265 The Gifts Were Gone

turned up. The only detail he unearthed was that Maren had abruptly brought Isla back and treated her with unusual tenderness. Rumor had it that Daniel himself had arranged Isla’s admission by contacting the principal

of Voutsas Middle School.

“Say another word like that, and I’ll silence you myself,” Maren warned, her tone like ice.

“Kidding, I swear.”

Lucien immediately backed off, hoping to avoid setting her off.

Naturally, he hadn’t been serious. As someone well–acquainted with women, he could tell Maren hadn’t been romantically involved with anyone.

The car eventually rolled to a stop at the school entrance.

Several automobiles crowded the lot, and the sleek coupe drew attention from onlookers.

“Appreciate it,” Maren said as she stepped out.

“No big deal. Just make sure you show up for tonight’s function,” Lucien said, then pulled away.

Approaching the familiar front gate, Maren walked with purpose.

She and Stormclaw had escorted Isla here once before the island challenge.

“Apologies, ma’am. You’ll need authorization to enter,” the gatekeeper said, halting her progress.

Maren paused briefly, then remembered that she had notified the principal last time she came.

Voutsas Middle School prided itself on tight security–something Maren valued for Isla’s protection.

With that in mind, she called the principal again.

He picked up almost instantly.

After outlining her purpose, he promised to alert the staff to grant her access.

“Much appreciated, sir,” Maren said and ended the call.

As she waited, her phone buzzed–Simon was calling.

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