Chapter 45

The familiar gesture made Aubree freeze momentarily. Hearing Bowen’s words, she giggled drunkenly, tilting her face up with a tipsy smile. “You’re so handsome… Did Carl kiss you?”

Before Bowen could react, the tipsy Aubree suddenly sprang up and planted a quick kiss on the corner of his lips.

Aubree murmured, her words slurring from the alcohol. Her head lolled to the side, and before Bowen could right her, she slumped into his arms, fast asleep.

Bowen was caught completely off guard by the kiss. His muscles tensed up, and he sat there, frozen in place.

The lingering sensation on the corner of his lips clearly told him what had just happened. His mind went completely blank, but his body reacted with undeniable instinct. He was like a lovestruck teenager, his heart pounding wildly.

Bowen’s throat went dry, his Adam’s apple bobbing nervously. Still holding Aubree, he carefully freed one hand and tentatively brushed her cheek.

Her cheeks were flushed and hot to the touch from the alcohol.

His fingertips trembled as he swiftly withdrew his hand. Bowen’s eyes grew profound and unfathomable, their depths swirling with a storm of unnamed emotions.

After a long moment, Bowen slumped back and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his gaze was clear. He told himself, “Bree was just drunk. If she were sober, this would never have happened. I’ll just pretend this never happened.”

Meanwhile, at Nightworld, Alvin was giving Matilda and her brother a ride home.

Alvin said gently, “Matilda, next time you run into any trouble, just let us know. We’re not just teammates, we’re your friends, too.”

Under the flickering glow of aging streetlights, Alvin’s gaze followed the siblings through the car window as they leaned on each other for support, making their way forward.

Matilda paused briefly before replying softly, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Compared to her brother Drake, who was covered in wounds, she was in much better shape, just a little dizzy from having had too much to drink.

“Sis,” Drake asked, “who was that girl who suddenly came to our rescue today? She seemed pretty badass.”

Drake nudged his sister and asked, “That guy just now, he must be loaded, right?”

Drake’s eyes gleamed as he kept rambling on, “Even Harlan was scared of those two guys who showed up later. Matilda, when you get to know such powerful people, how come you never told me?”

“Matilda, why aren’t you saying anything?”

After rambling on for quite a while without getting any response, Drake finally snapped out of it and turned to look at Matilda.

Matilda snapped, “Drake, drop those schemes! My friends are not for sale!”

After his sister saw right through him, Drake rubbed his nose sheepishly and said, “I was just thinking maybe I could help out the family, make things a little easier for us.”

After all, since Matilda’s friends were so well connected, he wanted to have them help his family.

He thought, for people like them, it’s just a word. Borrowing some money from them should be a piece of cake.

Thinking this, a note of dissatisfaction crept into his voice.

Matilda knew exactly what kind of person her brother was. As they were about to enter the apartment building, she stopped dead in her tracks, her supporting gesture abruptly turning into a shove.

Drake was shoved against the wall, yelping, “Ow!”

Matilda snapped, “Drake, I’m warning you, stop scheming about my friends! Have you forgotten what you promised me last time? Do you have to ruin everyone in this family before you’re satisfied? Now that Harlan’s been dealt with, I swear, no more gambling after this!”

Drake thought, I know I shouldn’t gamble… but damn, I just can’t resist the urge!

Drake wanted to argue back, but when his eyes landed on Matilda’s wolf-cut short hair, his defiance instantly deflated. “I’ll try to restrain myself,” he mumbled.

Before he got hooked on those bad habits, Matilda was just like any ordinary girl; she kept her hair long and loved wearing pretty dresses. But after gambling dragged the whole family down, Matilda chopped off her long hair and was forced to take on the role of protecting the family.

He thought, I hate myself for being so weak-willed. Countless sleepless nights. I’ve been consumed by regret and anguish… yet still can’t break the cycle.

Trying to coax Matilda, he pleaded, “Matilda, please don’t be mad at me, okay? I’ll get you a cupcake tomorrow.”

Seeing him carefully trying to appease her, Matilda felt a pang of guilt. Clenching her teeth, she wordlessly took Drake’s arm again to support him, refusing to say another word.

As they reached the apartment door, Matilda suddenly sensed something was off. She froze, frowning, “Wait… something’s wrong. Why is it so quiet inside?”

In this rundown apartment building, if one family spoke up, practically the whole building could hear them.

Matilda thought, something’s wrong.

The lights were still on, so someone was definitely home. A wave of unease swept through Matilda. Her first thought was, “Did Harlan send more men?”

Matilda hurriedly swung the door open and froze. The scene inside wasn’t what she’d expected.

What the hell is Carmen doing in my house? Matilda thought.

Carmen sat on a stool, clearly disgusted by the place, having even placed her bodyguard’s jacket beneath her as padding.

Her parents stood shakily by Carmen’s side, their faces full of ingratiating smiles.

Carmen’s bodyguard stood by the door, looking as though he’d been waiting for Matilda’s return.

“What are you doing in my house?” Matilda demanded, eyeing Carmen warily. They weren’t friends; her unexpected appearance could only mean trouble.

Carmen flashed a bright smile, completely unfazed by Matilda’s attitude. “I just found out you’re at Rithal High too, Matilda. Actually, I’m here to ask you for a favor.”

“I won’t help. Get out of my house,” Matilda snapped. Even without her connection to Tree, she felt nothing but dislike, only disgust, for Carmen.

Rithal High wasn’t what people made it out to be.

At Rithal High School, students fell into three categories: those from privileged families, those admitted purely on academic merit, and policy beneficiaries like her.

Among these three groups, those like her were the most likely to be bullied. She would never forget her best friend’s bright smile when they first entered Rithal High together, or the utter despair on her face before she jumped to her death.

Matilda’s fingers curled into tight fists one by one, her gaze burning with undisguised hatred as she glared at Carmen.

Matilda’s mother, Shirley Diaz, coaxed her gently, “Matilda, be a bit more polite to Miss Wilson. She said that if you just do her a small favor, she’ll clear Drake’s debts for him.”

Rubbing his hands nervously, Truman Diaz scolded, “Matilda, hurry and apologize to Miss Wilson! Miss Wilson, please don’t be upset with her, she’s just a…”

For them, it was a no-brainer having their daughter do one thing to solve all their son’s problems.

Besides, they’d already checked that it was nothing illegal.

Carmen maintained her calm, gentle smile, though inwardly she was puzzled. I don’t even know Matilda. Why is she looking at me as if she has some deep-seated grudge against me?

Of course! Aubree must’ve been badmouthing me behind my back!

She had already looked into this family before coming. Their son was a gambling addict, and they were drowning in debt. Families like this were the easiest to manipulate.

“Matilda,” Carmen said with a gentle smile, “I’m not sure if you’ve heard something that caused some misunderstanding about me. But just as your parents said, if you’re willing to help me with one small thing, I can make all your family’s problems disappear.”

Carmen was like the serpent in Eden, slyly luring Matilda to nod in agreement.

She added, “All you have to do is report Aubree for cheating in the tournament, and I’ll double the prize money for you. I can even get you into Apex Squad.”

Carmen could offer Matilda everything, including money, fame, and status.

Carmen was certain that if she were Matilda, she’d know exactly what to choose.

Matilda scoffed. “In your dreams.”

She thought, even if Dree hadn’t already indirectly helped solve our biggest problem with Harlan, there’s no way I’d ever help Carmen do something so despicable. I could never betray my conscience like that.

At her refusal, a brief, chilling darkness flashed in Carmen’s eyes, but she instantly recomposed herself with a pleasant smile. “It’s all right. Take your time to think it over,” she said. Then, turning to the elders, she added, “Guys, maybe you can help persuade her too.”

As soon as Carmen left, Truman snapped. “You stubborn girl! What happens with Aubree is none of your business. Do you know how much money that is? It’s enough to set us up for life!”

Shirley scolded, “Matilda, how can you be so senseless!”

Matilda snapped, “If you want that money so badly, go do it yourselves!” With that, she stormed into her bedroom and slammed the door.

The couple exchanged exasperated glances, their frustration with their daughter’s stubbornness boiling over.

Drake’s eyes gleamed with a sly idea. “Mom, Dad, I’ve got a plan,” he said slyly. “If it just needs to be done in Mattie’s name, and if she won’t do it herself, we’ll just handle it for her, simple as that.”

Chapter 46