Mom gives me a wristband too

Gabrielle's sleek SUV pulled up to the Frederick Dye School, the morning sunlight casting a warm glow over the sprawling campus. The sound of chirping birds and distant chatter filled the air, punctuated by the occasional clang of a locker or the rustle of backpacks. Gabrielle and Jane had arrived, fashionably late, and Tsukasa, Gabrielle's loyal assistant, sprang into action, opening the door with a gallant flourish.

"Sorry, Jane, I totally messed up," Tsukasa apologized, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled.

Gabrielle's expression was stern, but her eyes betrayed a hint of warmth. "We're late, Tsukasa. Let's get Jane to class."

As they stepped out of the car, Gabrielle's gaze swept over the campus, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in the scene. The class teacher stood outside the grade two classroom, watching with interest as Khan struggled to convince his son, Luca, to enter the classroom.

The walls of the classroom were painted with vibrant landscapes and beloved cartoon characters, including Dora, Moana, Barbie, and Blaze. Khan's eyes pleaded with Luca, his voice low and urgent. "Luca, you won't regret going to school, I promise."

But Luca remained unmoved, his arms crossed, his eyes flashing with defiance. Gabrielle's gaze lingered on the scene, her expression unreadable. As she turned to escort Jane to class, her eyes met Khan's, and for a moment, they locked gazes, a spark of recognition flashing between them.

But Khan's face was quickly hidden, obscured by the crowd of students and parents milling about the classroom. Luca, however, had already seen Gabrielle, and his eyes narrowed, his expression guarded.

As Gabrielle handed Jane over to the class teacher, Luca's voice stopped her. "Dad, I'm not going to school. I'll get laughed at. I'm not intelligent like you." Gabrielle's eyes snapped back to Luca, her expression softening slightly.

"Why don't you want to go to school?" she asked, her voice gentle but firm. Luca's eyes locked onto hers, and he froze, his expression a mixture of fear and longing.

He was speechless, for the first time in his life, as his mom spoke to him. It was as if the surroundings had disappeared, leaving only the two of them. Gabrielle turned around, taking one of the wristbands from Jane, and attached it to Luca's hands.

"This wristband might help you," Luca was super motivated and rushed to class, standing near Jane in front as the class teacher presented them.

Khan, still squatting, felt rejected. He had been begging his son to enter class since morning, but this woman's single word was enough. He turned to look at who had convinced his son, but she was already gone. Khan thought to himself that he would meet her another day.

As Khan left the school, three guys stood in front of his car. One of them, dressed in blue shorts and a matching top with intricate patterns, had straightened blonde hair cut in a Chinese bowl style and striking turquoise eyes. He looked chic and handsome.

The other two guys were covered in black, with only their eyes visible. As Khan approached, Mike's expression transformed from serious to a wide, smiling face, his eyes becoming concave from smiling so much. He attempted to punch Khan but ended up stirring the air. "Master, you will never stop amazing me," Mike said, still wearing that smile.

Khan entered the car, followed by Mike. Fabian stepped out, standing beside the two men shrouded in black. Mike, the boss of the Hitman section of the cartel, sat down, still wearing a smile. Rumors claimed he only smiled at those stronger than him.

As they sat in the car, Mike continued to punch at Khan, missing every time, as they conversed. This was their usual manner of communication. "What's been Luca's movement?" Khan asked. Unbeknownst to Luca, Khan had assigned Mike, the president of the Hitman section, to be his bodyguard and spy.

"Master, your son is a real cheat," Mike said. "He keeps disappearing from my radar whenever he wants to go somewhere suspicious." Fabian had already informed Khan about Luca's tendency to vanish and reappear. "The child has skills. I propose you affiliate him with the spy segment," Mike suggested, continuing to punch at Khan.

Their deal was simple: if Mike or any cartel member landed a hit on Khan, they would be promoted. However, this rule only applied to the seven segment heads and the vice president, as no one dared approach the boss.

"But where do you think he goes?" Khan asked. "We always lose track of him around Ultimate (his mom's company) , but later see him leaving the premises." Khan's expression turned serious. "Stop," he commanded, and Mike ceased punching. "Don't let him move freely. Now that he's in school, my enemies will likely try to kidnap him."

As their discussion concluded, Mike vanished into thin air. Fabian returned to the driver's seat and was instructed to drive home.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Gabby arrived at the mayor's residence, an apartment that exuded cultural wealth. The butler escorted her to the mayor's room, where she found him lying on the bed, looking frail and aged.

"Gabby, my child," he whispered, forcing his eyes open. The mayor, a widower since his wife's passing a couple of years ago, had always been a vigorous man. Yet, in just one day, he had transformed into a shadow of his former self. Gabby had met with him just yesterday to discuss her properties and their potential placement in the town.

"What happened, Papa?" Gabby asked, concern etched on her face. "You looked perfectly fine yesterday."

The mayor waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry, my child. I just... consumed something I shouldn't have. It's nothing serious."

"Ah, it was just an allergy, then," Gabby said, relieved.

The mayor continued, his voice weak but determined. "I wouldn't want Jane to see me like this. She's been...different since her grandmother passed away. So polite and well-behaved, but she's lost her spark. She doesn't play or scream like other kids; she just studies all the time, except when she's eating or accompanying me somewhere."

Gabby's ears itched at the mayor's slow, labored speech. She didn't want him exerting himself further.

"Mayor Bass, please don't strain yourself," Gabby said, concern etched on her face. "You need to rest."

The mayor's eyes pleaded with her. "Gabby, my child, I was wondering if you could stay with Jane until I fully recover. My old body can't take much more, and I don't want her to see me like this."

Gabby nodded. "Of course, I'll take care of her. I'd be happy to. What's her full name, again?"

"Jane Alexandra Bass," the mayor replied, a faint smile on his lips.