Chapter 47

A loud sound erupted. Jabel swiftly punched Roger, sending him reeling. His arm trembled with intense pain, as if a powerful force had pierced him. He was shocked by Jabel's unexpected strength. Jabel's imposing presence prevented anyone from interfering.

After she left, Rosy exclaimed angrily, "We should have waited! Our plan to kill Blake failed. She's now obstructing us."

Ethan suggested, "Dad, Mom, let's threaten the Galvez family. They're poor and easy to manipulate. Let's make things difficult for them."

Caius, remembering Isabel's warning, cautioned, "Isabel's right. We're in trouble. The company's failing, and I don't know how much longer we can hold on. Stay out of trouble."

As Isabel emerged from the villa, Blake approached, asking, "How did it go? What did they want?" He sensed tension between Isabel and the Clydes and worried about her safety.

"They want you," she replied.

Blake looked confused. Seeing his puzzled expression, she joked, "Amelia's had a change of heart and fancies you again. Perhaps she thinks you've recovered and are handsome, so she wants you back."

"What about you? Do you think I'm handsome?" he asked.

Isabel frowned. "Is that important?"

"Of course," he insisted. "I want to know if you think I'm good-looking."

She curled her lips. "Of course you are. You're far handsomer than Liam."

Overjoyed, he beamed. "Great!" He then curiously asked, "Amelia wants me back? What did you say?"

"Now you want to know? Too late," she said, walking away.

He grabbed her hand, pulling her into his arms. Their foreheads touched; the intimacy was overwhelming. She could hear his heart pounding. She was startled by her own rapidly beating heart.

Blake's eyes, filled with desire and affection, lowered to kiss her lips. She recoiled in shock.

"You're shameless!" she snapped, thinking, He's getting bolder! How dare he kiss me without warning?

"Only you get to see this side of me," he murmured. "I… couldn't help myself."

Overwhelmed by his gentle gaze, she quickly excused herself. "Don't get any ideas. You aren't fully recovered yet."

Blake smirked. "Oh? So, when I am fully recovered…?"

"That's not what I meant!" she protested, agitated.

He smiled softly. "Don't worry. That day will come soon."

She was dumbfounded. I'm not worried at all! That's not what I meant!

"On second thought, perhaps I should let Amelia have you," she said, smiling.

As expected, Blake was furious. "Don't you dare!"

"I saved your life. Didn't you say you wanted to repay me?" she challenged.

"When I said repay, I meant in bed. You misunderstood," he retorted, squinting.

She was speechless. Damn! He's better than me at arguing. I saved a hooligan!

Blake and Isabel bickered their way back to the Galvez home that afternoon. Upon entering the courtyard, they found a bustling scene.

"Mrs. Galvez, I'll wash the vegetables. Go rest," one person said.

"Mrs. Galvez, I'll feed the pigs. Go rest," another offered.

"Mrs. Galvez, I love sweeping. Go rest," yet another volunteered. Blake and Isabel were astonished.

Phillip was leading the group in a flurry of activity.

Isabel asked Simon, "What's going on?"

Simon replied helplessly, shrugging, "Isabel, Blake, you're finally back! They insisted on coming, saying they needed your help tutoring. I couldn't stop them!" He was truly amazed by Phillip's initiative.

Seeing them, Phillip rushed over, broom in hand. "Isabel, Blake, you're back!" Isabel smiled awkwardly. He then beckoned several friends. "Guys, Isabel and Blake are back."

A group of students stood in a row, shouting in unison, "Hello, Isabel. Hello, Blake."

Isabel was speechless. Blake, however, was pleased. "Hello to you, too. You're here to study, right? Let's begin." He felt accepted by the Galvez family and was eager to maintain that connection.

The students sat attentively as Blake lectured.

Hannah sighed, "Simon's classmates are so enthusiastic! They've finished all their chores." She'd previously considered Simon's friends rowdy and a negative influence on his grades. She realized she'd been mistaken.

Isabel brought them refreshments.

"Thank you, Isabel," Phillip and the others chorused happily.

She asked, "Why are you all here? This isn't a tutoring session."

Phillip, a little uneasy, explained, "We heard you were tutoring Simon. We figured we could listen quietly. We did our chores; we did a lot of housework, Isabel. Just let us listen, okay?"

"Fine," Isabel conceded, feeling helpless. These dandies actually enjoy studying now!

Phillip continued, "Isabel, since becoming Simon's friend, I've fallen in love with studying! My teacher said my grades improved dramatically, and even called my parents to praise me! My parents have never been happier!"

Isabel thought, It seems rich kids, including Phillip and his friends, have embraced learning under Simon's influence.

Blake enjoyed himself immensely. Knowing his prestigious past, the students admired him even more. In Phillip's words, they'd found a treasure.

Phillip suddenly produced two tickets. "Isabel, Blake, there's a car race tomorrow at 10 p.m. at Hillcrest, over fifteen miles from here. Want to join us? These are your tickets."

Isabel knew about Hillcrest; Roger, obsessed with motorcycles, frequently mentioned the annual race. He always tried to sneak out, despite his parents' disapproval.

"These tickets are hard to get. Thanks, Phillip," Blake said.