Chapter 13
Bryan was furious. “What was that attitude? If it weren’t for the school calling me today, I wouldn’t even know she switched to cultural classes on her own. Who gave her permission?”
As he saw Aubree’s mocking gaze, Bryan’s anger flared even more. After being lectured a couple of times, she dares to threaten cutting off ties and running away from home, and now she even dares to talk back to me.
“If I don’t keep a tight rein on her, is she going to aim for the queen next?” The more he thought about it, the angrier he got, and he raised his hand to slap her.
Caught off guard, Aubree took the hit, but the next second, she slapped him back.
Bryan was stunned—he never expected Aubree to hit him.
With lightning speed, Aubree snatched a pair of scissors from the coffee table. Her eyes blazed with ferocity, locking onto Bryan like a young wolf focused on its enemy. “Bryan, if you dare touch me again, I’ll take you down with me.”
Bryan had never seen Aubree like this. In his memory, Aubree always kept her head down, timid and submissive. She wouldn’t dare to resist, and even after being scolded, she’d comfort them, telling them to watch their health.
The slap on his face was just angering him, but Aubree pointing scissors at him was a full-on challenge. A cloud passed over his face as Bryan snapped, “Aubree, do you know what you’re doing right now?”
“Of course I do!” Aubree retorted without flinching, her gaze unwavering as she met Bryan’s eyes. “I’m just protecting myself. For the past three years, I couldn’t even eat enough at the Wilson family.
“I did everything you asked, and Ronald already slapped me at the hospital, so I don’t owe you anything. Not just this time, if any of the Wilson family ever dares to mess with me again, I’m ready to go down with them.”
As things spiraled out of control, the homeroom teacher’s eyelids twitched. He quickly grabbed Bryan, “Mr. Wilson, let’s talk this out calmly. Aubree, put the scissors down.”
The teacher’s words brought Bryan back to his senses. He gritted his teeth in gloom. They were at school, and while Aubree could afford to be shameless, he couldn’t.
Suppressing his anger, he said, “Good, very good, Aubree! Let’s see how long you can keep this up.”
With that, Bryan left. He had plenty of ways to deal with her.
Aubree just laughed it off–she had nothing to lose, anyway. Thanking the homeroom teacher, she returned to class to continue her lessons.
After everyone left, the teacher opened his phone and sent a text detailing what had happened to someone.
The first thing Bryan did after leaving school was to call his assistant. “Get Aubree’s landlord to kick her out, and make sure no place she can stay at will accept her.”
Chapter 13
After school at night, Aubree planned to hit the internet cafe for some gaming as usual. Just as she reached the door, she got turned away. The boss’s reason? Strict checks lately, and he wasn’t letting students like her in.
Aubree spotted a kid in a nearby junior high school uniform and wondered, "Was this rule only for high schoolers?"
She didn’t bother arguing; it wasn’t worth it. But her frustration turned to fury when she got back to her rental place–all her stuff was packed and dumped outside. The landlord glanced at her, “Back? Pack up and move out quick.” Then he handed back the thousand bucks rent she’d paid.
Aubree clenched her fists, telling herself not to argue. It’d be useless. The internet cafe boss might have a justified excuse, but the landlord’s move? Clearly Bryan’s doing.
After packing up, Aubree dragged her suitcase to a nearby hotel, only to get rejected as expected. If Bryan thought this would make her cave, he was dead wrong.
She’d rather die on the streets than bow to the Wilson family.
Night fell fast, and Aubree found a park bench to crash on. She’d have to rough it here tonight. But she simply refused to believe that she couldn’t find a place to stay in the entire Rithol City.
Aubree let out a sigh, thinking she was still too weak. She needed to become stronger. Only then would she be able to stand up against the Wilson family and have the power to fight back the next time something like this happened. Her eyes were resolute. But a gust of night wind hit the next second, and she deflated like a pricked balloon. First, figure out how to survive tonight.
“My, in just a day, you’ve turned into a stray cat?” Suddenly, a teasing, amused voice came from above.
Aubree looked up, her eyes blank. Under the streetlight stood Bowen in a white shirt, black pants, one hand in his pocket. Compared to last time, his hairstyle was way more formal, slicked back with gel, which added some distance. His words sounded playful, but there wasn’t a hint of humor in his expression, just some unreadable emotion deep in his eyes.
“Guess I’m blacklisted by every place I could stay,” Aubree said, feeling relieved by Bowen’s appearance, even managing a weak smile.
Suddenly, her head dropped as Bowen messed up her hair. “Don’t force a smile. It’s no big deal. I haven’t blacklisted you yet.”
Aubree’s face stiffened, and the corners of her mouth, which had been rising, slowly fell. “Why are you helping me, Bowen?”
“Don’t tell me you just happened to pass by this park again and decided to walk in out of pure whim, saw me homeless and felt charitable to take me in?"
Bowen shrugged, replying, “You’ve said it all. What can I say?”
Chapter 13
Aubree pursed her lips, looking at him with a serious expression. The only reason she could think of that Bowen would help her was that he was attracted to her looks and wanted to “play around.”
“If you’re thinking…” she started, but Bowen cut her off.
His gaze was unusually serious. “Aubree, I’m not that low to mess with a high school girl.
“My brother and sister-in-law died saving a little girl. You can take that as me liking you by association.”
That made sense. Aubree smiled, realizing Bowen had no reason to toy with her. If he had those intentions, now would be the perfect time. But he didn’t do anything.
She’d heard about Bowen before the time travel, so his story seemed credible. He even set up a foundation in his brother’s name, funding poor girls in the poor villages to go to school.
Standing up, Aubree brushed off the dust and gave Bowen a bright smile. “Thanks for taking me in, Mr. Turner.”
Her smile was dazzling, momentarily distracting Bowen. The emotions in his eyes surged even more.
“How did the Wilson family manage to turn the cheerful little girl in the photos into this in just three years?” he couldn’t help wondering.
Then, he took over Aubree’s suitcase and led her out of the park, always keeping two steps behind her.
Outside the park were the same two bodyguards from last time, their eyes sparkling like they were about to break into dance at any moment.
“Mr. Turner just got off the negotiation table and booked the earliest flight back just to pick up Miss Miller,” Samson said.
“No big deal. I was standing behind Mr. Turner today when he got a message from Miss Miller’s homeroom teacher reporting what happened to her today,” Chris replied.
“Speaking of which, did Mr. Turner send Zachary to find a guy named Magnus Stewart?”
“I feel like we’re about to have a Mrs. Turner soon.” Chris looked a bit sad.
Samson rebutted, “Don’t forget what Mr. Turner did before. Maybe he’s just helping the girl out since she’s in trouble." Chris gave him a look that screamed, "Do you really believe that? Cause I don’t.”
Aubree followed Bowen into the car.
“First to Ellis Heights, then to Forth Bay.” After giving the instructions, he explained to Aubree, “Ellis Heights is where I usually live. You can stay there until you find a place. I’ll be staying at Forth Bay with Alvin.
“I guess it’d be awkward for you whether you stay with me or if I take you to Alvin’s place, right?”
“Thanks,” Aubree mumbled.
Never had she imagined that someone would care about her so thoughtfully.