Chapter 203
Allison's eyes glinted with utter disdain, fraying Devin's already taut nerves. A rush of anger ignited within him. "Who do you think you are?" he began, but then saw Allison pressing her key fob, about to enter her car.
The shock hit him like a ton of bricks. It was a Rolls-Royce Phantom, worth over a million dollars. Devin's gaze flicked from the car to her key fob; instantly, the sting of her insult vanished. A grin spread across his face as he quickly blocked her path.
"Allison, let me take you home," he offered, his voice dripping with eagerness. "What kind of gentleman would let a lady drive herself? It's the least I can do." He reached for her hand, thinking his slyness charming.
A swell of pride filled him. Clearly, Allison had struck it rich. The car alone could provide a lifetime of comfort for someone ordinary. If he could just get in her good graces… He envisioned a future free of his secondhand car. Soon, he thought, he'd convince Allison to buy him a brand-new one.
Lost in his daydreams, he heard a voice, cool as ice. "Really?" Before he could react, the world spun. Allison had effortlessly tossed him over her shoulder, slamming him hard against the ground.
Pain shot through him like lightning. Cold sweat trickled down his face as his insides seemed to shift. "Let go! Let go! Ah!" he cried as Allison's knee pressed sharply against his ribs, squeezing the air from his lungs. His face flushed red. In a heartbeat, her hand connected with his cheek in a swift, stinging slap.
With a lazy smirk, she said, "So you thought you could bully me because you liked me and wanted my attention? Well, now it's my turn to return the favor. Does that mean I'm trying to get your attention too?" She unleashed a flurry of quick, heavy slaps. "Shouldn't you be thanking me?" Smack, smack, smack. Devin's face soon resembled a swollen mess.
Powerless to retaliate, dazed and seeing stars, each scream for mercy laced with disbelief, he was immobilized. "Ahhhh!" He longed to strike back but found himself staring at her in shock. "You're out of your mind!"
He could hardly reconcile the girl he'd tormented in the orphanage with the fierce woman before him. As the image of the little girl blended with the present, he instinctively shielded his head. "Stop. Please, just stop. I was wrong…"
"Then why aren't you thanking me?" Allison demanded, her grip tightening on his collar, her expression as cold as steel. Her hand rose. Devin, instinctively closing his eyes, pleaded frantically, "Thank you! Thank you!"
Without warning, she kicked him away, sending him crashing to the ground. "Tsk, just stay away," she said dismissively, smoothing her clothes and brushing off the dust. "Next time, I won't let you off with a few slaps."
Her movements were slow and deliberate, a stark contrast to Devin, who lay on the ground in misery. He lacked the courage to rise, nodding repeatedly while cradling his battered head. "Okay. Okay."
He had gained nothing but a thorough beating. He watched helplessly as her taillights disappeared. With his swollen face, he gritted his teeth and muttered her name under his breath.
"Allison Clarke, just you wait!" He resolved to win her over. When that day came, every word would carry weight. He vowed revenge for the humiliation he'd suffered.