The Strongest Curse Master - Chapter 162

Chapter 162: Friend Or Aunt Chapter 162: Friend Or Aunt “What are you planning?” Mandy asked, her tone casual but curious as she glanced at Ace.

She had vaguely overheard his quiet advice to David earlier.

“Nothing,” Ace replied with a shrug, his gaze fixed out the window.

“What about you?

Since when did you start hanging out with cowboys?

Does Auntie Pam know about this?” He smirked, clearly teasing.

Ace had noticed the way Mandy’s backup-cowboys and girls from nearby ranches-had been waiting in the woods for her signal.

Mandy shot him a side-eye while steering with one hand, her other arm resting on the wheel.

“Ace, I don’t hang out with them.

They owed me a favor, and now they don’t.” Just as they approached the main road, Ace’s attention was drawn to a chick on a dirt bike waiting by the cross.

Mandy slowed the car and pulled over beside her, the engine rumbling softly.

Mandy stepped out, and the biker chick leaned casually against her bike, her dark green leather jacket creaking as she shifted her weight.

“I just wanted to make sure you got back safe,” she said, her voice gruff but warm.

“Thanks, Harper,” Mandy replied with a nod.

Though she hadn’t really needed their help, she appreciated that they had shown up when she called.

Harper waved it off, spitting a wad of chewing tobacco onto the ground.

“Don’t mention it.

Compared to what you’ve done for us, this is nothing.

Everything handled?

If that bastard ever comes near you again, just give me a call.” Mandy’s lips curled into a sly smile.

“Don’t worry.

When I’m done with him, he won’t be able to show his face anywhere.” Harper barked a laugh, her eyes gleaming with approval.

“Ha!

You look soft like one of those city skanks, but you’re a mean bad bitch insided.” She then glanced past Mandy, noticing the young man sitting in the car.

Recognition flickered in her gaze.

“That the kid who took down all those hired goons like it was nothing?” Mandy turned slightly, gesturing toward the car.

“That’s my other nephew, Ace Lander.” Ace stepped out, his hands casually in his pockets, and gave a small nod.

Harper extended a hand, a rough but friendly grin on her face.

“I’m Harper.

Nice to meet you.” “Do you know where I can rent one of those for a day?” Ace asked shaking her hand, skipping any small talk and getting straight to the point.

He had originally planned to borrow Danny’s car to get to the winery, but with Danny at school, retrieving the keys would mean a detour.

Instead, he considered renting a dirt bike.

It would let him take an off-road route, saving time and avoiding the risk of running into another C.I.B.

operation or a rogue curse user.

Harper didn’t answer right away.

Her eyes flicked to Mandy, who raised an eyebrow and asked, “Why do you need it?” “Isn’t it obvious?” Ace replied, leaning back slightly with an easy grin.

“I plan to skip school and have some fun.

I was hoping you’d cover for me.

Don’t worry-I’ll be back by evening.” Mandy folded her arms, her expression unimpressed.

“And why would I do that?” she asked, her tone cool but edged with challenge.

Ace blinked, incredulous.

“Really?

I just took down two armed guys for you.” His disbelief was evident, his hands gesturing slightly as he spoke.

He couldn’t believe Mandy would still hold a grudge, especially after everything they had been through just now, together.

If anyone should be apologizing, it was her-for last her night’s stunt and the stunt earlier.

Even though she had backup, things could have easily turned into a tragedy.

Mandy leaned in, her sharp gaze locking with Ace’s.

Her voice dropped, firm and unyielding.

“Acey, let me make something clear.

The moment you stood against me-even after I opened up to you about my reasons-you lost the friend in me.” She straightened slightly, her tone sharpening further.

“Right now, I’m just your aunt.

As for what I did earlier, nobody gets away with framing my nephew for stealing.” Ace frowned, momentarily taken aback, but he didn’t respond right away.

Mandy’s words had hit their mark, stripping away any trace of the lightheartedness he’d tried to inject.

After a beat, he stepped closer, his gaze steady as he looked down at her.

“Well, Mandy, you leave me no choice, then.

But are you sure you don’t want a friend in me?” Mandy didn’t flinch.

She met his eyes with a cool intensity.

“I didn’t start this-you did-” Before she could say more, Harper stepped between them, raising her hands in a calming gesture.

“Alright, alright, enough of this standoff,” she said firmly.

“I don’t know what’s going on here, but from what I’m hearing, it’s clear you both care about each other enough to risk your lives for one another.

So, how about you sit down and actually talk it out?

Mandy, you’re the older one.

You should go first.” Mandy let out a sharp exhale, glancing at Harper before glaring back at Ace.

“Well, Harper, I did talk to him, but he won’t talk to me,” she said, her frustration spilling into her tone.

Ace blinked, processing her words.

For the first time, it dawned on him-Mandy wasn’t angry about his opposition to her Orchard B&B plan.

She wasn’t holding a petty grudge.

No, this was deeper.

She knew he was hiding something from her.

She wasn’t asking him to confide in her for the sake of it.

She just wanted to understand his reasons, the same way she had helped him understand her reasons last night during their drive back to the estate.

His shoulders tensed slightly as the realization settled.

Mandy wasn’t asking for the full truth-she just wanted enough to understand, the same way she had helped him see why the Orchard B&B plan was important to her.

Just enough clarity so she could let go of her plans without any lingering, unfinished feelings.

“Let’s talk,” Ace compromised.