Chapter 186

Percy leaned out and called, "Alice, hop in the passenger seat. Let's all go together." Alice hesitated at the open car door. She then bent down to ask for Xavier's approval. She wouldn't get in without a word from him. Meanwhile, Percy, cradling his bouquet, was already swept up in excitement. "Uncle Xavier, why are you wearing sunglasses and a mask in the car? Aren't you hot?" The moment he spoke, a chill seemed to spread from Xavier, making Percy shiver involuntarily. Sensing the tension thickening in the air, Scarlett tried to lighten the mood with a cheerful tone. "Hi, Ms. Stroud, I'm Scarlett. Why not hop in? It's really sunny out there." Alice quietly sighed in relief, then opened the door and sat in the front passenger seat. But her attention remained fixed on the back row. Xavier sat on the far left, Scarlett in the middle, and Percy on the far right. With Percy leaning toward her, Scarlett was nearly pressed against Xavier. Despite his usual discomfort around wome