Overprotected By My Tsundere CEO-Chapter 466 - 274: Marcus Shaw’s Past

Chapter 466: Chapter 274: Marcus Shaw’s Past
After teasing him a bit, and nearly making Andrew Hughes angry, he stopped and continued answering, "Just had bad luck, witnessed a murder."
"..."
Well, his luck is really bad.
"When did it happen?"
"Three or four years ago?" Peter Hughes recalled, "It was almost Andrew’s first birthday. Oh, that day was exactly Andrew’s first birthday, and his heartless mother was probably having a date with you then."
"..."
Being both a dad and a granddad, can you be a bit more serious?
"The case was quite simple, just a premeditated murder. Two young men in their twenties had some grudge. The perpetrator, with a volatile personality, called the other out, and by the abandoned lakeside, he—"
At this point, Peter Hughes glanced down and saw Andrew Hughes listening intently and curiously, so he stopped and quickly sent him away.
"It’s none of your business, go play by yourself," Peter Hughes instructed.
Andrew Hughes: "..." Used and discarded, a bridge burned after crossing.
Andrew Hughes walked away rather displeased.
As he passed by Nora Scott, she handed him a Rubik’s cube.
He took it, softly thanked her, and then left contentedly.
Looking up again, Nora Scott glanced at Peter Hughes and didn’t ask for specific details about the case but instead asked, "Since it was premeditated, the location should be remote and quiet to ensure there were no witnesses. How did Marcus Shaw happen to witness it?"
"He probably had some issues with his family," Peter Hughes said, "That kid is stubborn, wouldn’t say anything no matter how much you ask. However, his father had just passed away, his mother was drinking all day long, not caring for him, and would vent her bad mood on him... That house was unbearable to live in."
"Oh."
Nora Scott slightly nodded.
At Evelyn Easton’s funeral, she had heard some rumors. After Mr. Shaw passed away, Evelyn Easton was in a slump for some time, and it was mostly Marcus Shaw taking care of her.
Marcus Shaw’s situation at that time couldn’t have been any better.
"He was still young then, couldn’t help much, and the scene was quite bloody. He was probably quite scared. However, he’s pretty smart, texted to to the police immediately, then hid and even recorded a video as evidence."
"The perpetrator was caught on the spot, and Marcus was taken back to make a statement."
"It was already one or two in the morning by the time the statement was done, and we couldn’t reach his parents, so I took him home with me."
"At that time, I sent Andrew to a neighbor’s house. The little guy cried and fussed, totally unlike how quiet he is now. Marcus and Andrew really had a connection; Andrew snuggled into his arms and immediately settled down, not crying or fussing, even clutching Marcus’s clothes and grinning... You have no idea, back then I almost wanted to give Andrew to him."
Someone couldn’t stay serious for more than three seconds. They just finished the story of meeting each other properly, but in the end, couldn’t help and slipped.
"..."
Nora Scott’s mouth twitched hard.
Having such an unreliable grandfather, Andrew Hughes really is quite pitiful.
"Later, when more specific details were needed, I looked for him several times and learned a bit about his family’s situation," Peter Hughes set aside the frivolous demeanor and continued, "His mom didn’t care if he lived or died. Occasionally I’d invite him for a meal, and have him help with Andrew, back and forth, over time we got familiar."
Nora Scott asked, "Did his mom always ignore him?"
"Before knowing about the illness, for half a year, she was a bit better towards him," Peter Hughes said, "But it didn’t really help. To treat his mom’s illness, that kid got into a lot of debt, luckily it didn’t interrupt his studies—"
At this point, Peter Hughes noticed the rather surprised look on Nora Scott’s face, his expression collapsed slightly, somewhat frustrated, "Didn’t he tell you this?"
Nora Scott said blankly, "No."
"That rascal..."
Peter Hughes grumbled.
Nora Scott asked, "Who did he borrow the money from?"
"I don’t know. Just when I was about to help him raise money, he said no need anymore," Peter Hughes said while working, "About three months ago, he told me it was already paid off. I even thought it was you—"
The words paused, and Peter Hughes glanced leisurely at Nora Scott, not continuing.
Nora Scott suddenly thought about Marcus Shaw’s involvement with Biel Security and—
The Biel Hall software with its cold, minimalist design.
Probably handled jobs of that type to pay it off.
Without pursuing further, Nora Scott shifted her thoughts elsewhere, "I noticed he’s got some moves. Did you teach him?"
Peter Hughes paused slightly, then answered, "Taught him a few tricks, that kid’s smart, learns right away."
"Then why about the school fights—"
"Nonsense!"
Peter Hughes frowned, about to explain when he heard Andrew Hughes shouting from the living room—
"Marcus!"
Hearing this, the two simultaneously ceased their conversation.
With the person involved present, discussing such matters would be inappropriate.
...
Today is Friday, the end of the monthly exam.
Peter Hughes recently had some free time, and since Nora Scott was dropping Andrew home, Peter Hughes called Marcus Shaw over.
After all, the school is just across the street, and it would take Marcus ten minutes to walk home after school; no trouble at all.
"Sis."
Marcus entered with his bag, greeted Nora Scott with a slight nod on seeing her.
Nora Scott casually asked, "Finished the exam?"
"Yeah."
Marcus opened his backpack and gave Andrew the new workbook he had bought on the way.
Thinking of what Oliver Scott had relayed a few times, Nora Scott eyed this low-key yet blatantly bold teenager and curiously asked, "Can you get first place?"
"..." After a slight pause, Marcus looked straight at Nora Scott and responded shortly, "Yes."
The words were firm, full of confidence.
"Yes what, yes could you come over and prep the fish for me first?"
Peter Hughes intruded, holding a spatula, and unceremoniously spoke to Marcus.
Marcus: "..."
Not a moment’s rest, just arrived and got recruited to help in the kitchen.
However, both Peter Hughes and Marcus seemed to share a mutual understanding—never to order Nora Scott around.
With nothing to do, Nora Scott thought of playing with Andrew a bit, but then her phone vibrated; it was Pedro Langley calling.
She opened the sliding window, stepped out onto the balcony, took out her phone, and answered the call.
"Just dropped Loughton from the performance." Pedro Langley explained concisely, then addressed the topic mentioned in Nora Scott’s text, "Luna Durant’s role fell through. However, she’s possibly looking for another role in ’Twelve’."
"Fell through?"
Pedro casually remarked, "She was in the same production group as you and was afraid you’d be unhappy."
Amused by his explanation, Nora Scott laughed, "So you interfered?"
"Yes."
Fitting someone in the cast isn’t easy, but cancelling a role contract is quite simple.
The lead actress for ’Twelve’ wasn’t a settled decision that it had to be Luna Durant.
Leaning back on the railing, Nora Scott casually opened the window and let the cool evening breeze flow in.
She curled her lips, "Did it without a trace?"
"No."
"Then wouldn’t she not know you don’t like her?" Nora Scott seemed slightly displeased.
"She knows." Pedro Langley chuckled, helplessly saying, "There are many chasing me, why are you so fixated on her?"
With a quick movement, she brushed her hair behind her ear that had been tossed around by the wind, Nora Scott asked matter-of-factly, "Among those chasing you, how many publicly declared at the backstage of the Spring Festival Gala to the whole nation?"
Pedro Langley: "..." So that’s what she minded.
What she minded was not Luna Durant as a person but rather Luna Durant’s actions.
The problem is—
Due to Nora Scott’s re-entry into the entertainment industry, they’re unable to reveal their relationship, avoiding the black mark if Nora Scott appears publicly as an ’actress’.
Currently, there are online rumors about "Nora Scott × Henry Chapman" or "Nora Scott × Miguel Smith", which Pedro Langley only slightly suppresses, observing indifferently without taking further action.
Pedro Langley paused, about to say something to comfort Nora over the phone, but then another voice chimed in first—
"Mr. Langley, thank you for today."