The Strongest Curse Master-Chapter 292 : A Disgruntled Mother

"Mrs. Martin, have you been to your in-laws' home? Have you meet Ava?" Ace asked, keeping his tone casual. He didn't really care about Ava, but he knew appealing to Matthews's maternal side was his best shot at stopping those Apaches from tearing through his avocado orchard—and most of his estate.

Matthews narrowed her eyes, skeptically asking, "No. But why do you suddenly care?"

Ace followed her gaze to the house, where Lilith stood by the window, waving at him. He ignored her enthusiastic gesture and turned back to Matthews.

"Why wouldn't I care? Ava's my friend," he said smoothly. "Which is why I'm strongly suggesting you go home. They're not going anywhere with those Apaches watching over the place."

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If calling Ava his girlfriend would've convinced Matthews, he would've done it, but he did not want to make things more complicated than they already were. "Friends" was good enough.

Matthews didn't seem convinced. Instead, she frowned, still eyeing Lilith. "Why does that little girl keep waving at you?" she asked. "According to my reports, this should be the first time she's seen you."

Ace resisted the urge to shift uncomfortably. "Eh, I get that a lot," he said, smirking as he pointed at himself. "Being this handsome? It's more of a curse than a blessing. Might sound gross, but everyone wants a piece of this."

Matthews let out a short, unimpressed scoff. "Narcissistic much? Kid, you look like you just rolled out of bed. You've still got eye gunk, your hair's a mess, and honestly?" She snorted. "You're not even half as good-looking as you think you are."

"Well, your daughter seems to think otherwise," Ace muttered under his breath, pulling out a cleansing talisman to freshen up.

He barely had time to activate it before he noticed Matthews glaring at him, her eyes dark with a dangerous glint shimmering in them. His body tensed up. But before she could act, a young, sweet voice rang out—"Apex!"

Ace's face drained of all color. He went ghastly pale. Matthews whipped her head toward the source of the voice, spotting Lilith at the open window. The little girl had somehow managed to open the window and was staring directly at Ace. Her enthusiasm soon turned into irritation, seeing Ace not acknowledge her, let alone answer her.

Following Lilith's gaze, Matthews turned back to Ace just in time to catch him subtly signaling the girl to shut up. His hand stilled mid-motion when he realized Matthews had clocked him.

Her eyes narrowed while she humored him, asking, "Why is she calling you Apex?"

Ace forced a laugh—light, casual, like it wasn't the worst question she could've asked. "What? Why would she call me that?" He shook his head, feigning confusion. "You must've misheard. This is the first time we've even met."

Matthews didn't buy it.

Ace could see the gears turning in her head, trying to piece together a puzzle with too many missing pieces. But his stomach dropped when he saw Elinor standing beside Lilith and debating while pointing directly at him.

The window was now shut and they were facing each other, making it impossible for Dame Wasp to eavesdrop or even lip-read. But whatever Lilith was telling Elinor, it wasn't good for him.

"She's definitely pointing at you," Matthews murmured, her eyes flicking between Ace and the girls at the window. Then, as if a lightbulb went off in her head, a slow, knowing grin spread across her face learning that the evidence she needed to nail Ace and her primary objective here were one and the same.

And now, she just had to figure out a way to take it. Thinking of this, she could not help but grin eerily.

Seeing her eerie grin, Ace shook his head in dismay. He never thought an eight-year-old would be his downfall. Just then, he felt a burst of wind on his face, and before he knew it, he saw Matthews flying backward, crashing to the ground a few feet away from him.

She'd tried to break the window and grab Lilith, but to her surprise, the house not only withstood her attack but also used it against her, sending her flying.

"Fuck!" Ace cursed inwardly. Matthews had fired the first shot, and now the fate of his estate hung in the balance, depending on Janice's response. If they chose to retaliate, it would most definitely turn into a full-blown war. But if they let it slide, Matthews would become even bolder.

Just as Ace was waiting for Janice's reaction, he saw a thin veil of red circle them within a 600-yard radius, climbing to the sky about 200 yards high. It was a barrier array formation.

Ace knew it had to be Janice who activated it, as only her people had the time to lay that array formation. The C.I.B. agents had arrived early that morning.

Meanwhile, Matthews got up, dusted herself off, and walked toward the house, saying, "Now that's one hell of a cursed tool for a Hero-tier. As expected of a cursed tool created by Aurelian Eyes."

"Mrs. Martins, stop it. As a mother, you know better than me that the best and cheapest way to control Lilith is love. Right now, she has both the power and means to do and acquire anything in the world but lacks actual love and guidance. Let Elinor give it to her. I'm sure she will help Lilith grow into a fine young lady who will be willing to lay down her life for her country. So, I advise you to please reconsider your decision," Ace pleaded, knowing that Matthews was just getting started, as the Apaches' laser guidance systems had locked onto the house and were awaiting her signal to engage.

"Oh, shut up. My own daughter, whom I carried in my womb for 10 months and breastfed for two years, hates me. What makes you think this little monster will turn out any better? She's already far too gone. She is a disaster waiting to happen. She belongs in a cage, not roaming free in the country," Matthews yelled, her eyes hardening with resolve.

She had lied to Ace when she said she hadn't visited Ava. That was the first thing she did upon arriving in town. However, Ava, who was busy with her early morning exercise, though surprised to see her, threw a fit because she was a day late. Words were exchanged, and they both said hurtful things they weren't proud of, and now they both regret what they said. At least Matthews did.