Chapter 629

Lottie wasn’t just anybody. With her background, it was hard not to worry. If Anthony ever messed around with her feelings, Donald would…
“They know.”
Anthony took the cigarette Donald handed him but didn’t bother to light it. He just held it between his fingers, lips still a bit swollen but curled in a gentle smile. “My family’s met Lottie already. They really like her.”
Donald blinked, caught off guard. “They’ve met her? Do they know about her connection to the Gates family?”
“At first they didn’t. But it didn’t matter. They liked her even before they knew.” Anthony set the cigarette down and reached for an orange on the table. He peeled it slowly, breaking it into neat segments and arranging them on a plate. His voice softened. “We love her for who she is, not for her last name.”
Donald watched him quietly, his eyes narrowing. Anthony had a good reputation in Cabinda, and anyone who could stay friends with Kenneth for so long probably wasn’t a bad guy. Still, he couldn’t help thinking Anthony was a bit too old. Lottie was so pure, so bright. Pairing her with someone who was nearly thirty just felt… unfair.
“Donald, I get why you’re worried.” Anthony put down the orange, then suddenly reached into his bag and pulled out a gun. He set it right in front of Donald, his face dead serious. “Everything I have, even my life, belongs to Lottie. If I ever hurt her, you can use this gun. I mean it.”
Donald was speechless. It was obvious Lottie really liked this guy. And from the way Anthony looked at her, from the way he moved, the affection was real.
“My family doesn’t know yet, do they?” Donald asked quietly.
“Your grandpa and your parents don’t know for now,” Anthony replied, a small smile returning. “When the time is right, I’ll visit them myself.”
Donald could see how sincere he was and decided not to push any further. Still, he picked up the gun and gave Anthony a hard look. “I’ll hold on to this. For Lottie’s sake, I hope I never have to use it.”
“You won’t,” Anthony said. “I promise.”
He meant it.
Later that day, after physical training, Cotton suddenly called everyone together with big news.
“Tomorrow we’re starting a two-day field exercise,” he announced. “We’ll be heading into the cliffs behind the base The place is covered in mist the paths are rough, and the Jungle’s thick. It won’t be easy.”
The group broke out in groans and complaints before he even finished.
Cotton didn’t wait for them to
recover And your leaders for t
will be L… and a mysterious t

“L? And a mysterious guest?” The group erupted, everyone talking at once.
“L is leading us? He’s so strict. I’m dead for sure.”
“And we have to climb mountains? Seriously, I’m already scared and it hasn’t even started.”
“I’m excited but terrified. Who’s the guest, though?”
“It’s called a
reasonmysterious guest for a Oway we’re gonna quent
Watch, they’ll be even tougher than
b.
The room buzzed with nervous energy, everyone speculating about what was coming.
Andrew nudged Charlotte. “Hey, when you went to see L earlier, did you catch a glimpse of this mysterious guest?”
Mysterious guest? The question made Charlotte think of Anthony, and she couldn’t help a secret little smile.