"It''s all my own fault for getting hurt... This has nothing to do with Ms. Cameron," I insisted, trying to keep my voice steady.


    Jasper''s furious voice cut through the tension like a knife. "That old man knows Ste. Only an idiot would believe she''s not involved!"


    Before I could respond, Jasper stormed into the room, his temper zing. "Ste, I''m warning you. If you make Rachel''s life difficult again, you''ll regret it!"


    Mr. Burton raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of irritation and amusement. "Jasper, it''s early in the morning. Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, or is it just the coffee not agreeing with you?"


    Jasper, like a rabid dog ready to snap at anyone, turned his scathing gaze toward Mr. Burton.


    He jabbed a finger at Mr. Burton''s face, his expression menacing. "Listen, old man, if you so much as touch a hair on Rachel''s head, I''ll dismantle your old bones myself!"


    "And you, kid!" he snarled at Marvin, who had instinctively sought refuge behind Ste. "Say one more thing about Rachel, and you''ll be picking your teeth off the floor!"


    Marvin, clearly rattled by Jasper''s outburst, huddled closer to Ste. Seeing that his threats were having an effect, Jasper''s eyes glinted with satisfaction. He took a breath, ready to unleash another round of intimidation.


    But before he could, a cup of hot coffee flew into Jasper''s face, causing him to yelp in pain. "What the hell? Are you out of your mind?!" he screamed, clutching his reddening face.


    Ste stepped forward, her voice as cool as a winter breeze. "Get out. You''re nothing but a bully."


    The coffee had been freshly brewed, and the scalding liquid had left Jasper''s skin a fiery shade of red. He blinked furiously, trying to clear his blurred vision. His history with Ste was rocky at best, and he''d grown to despise Marvin and Mr. Burton as well. Today was supposed to be his chance to put them in their ce. But now, with his face stinging and his pride wounded, Jasper''s rage boiled over. "Ste, you witch! If I don''t get you today, I''ll change myst name!"


    From behind Ste, Marvin couldn''t resist a quip. "Mr. Wilkinson, changing yourst name? nning to join Ms. Pearce''s family tree or something?"


    Marvin had originally thought to suggest a more humorous surname, but


    considering Ste already had a son with a few screws loose, he thought better of


    it.


    Jasper, now akin to an enraged bull, charged at them with a roar. "I''m gonna tear you all apart!"


    Rachel stood to the side, her lips curling into a barely perceptible smile. "Jasper, calm down. Let''s talk this out," she said, not making the slightest move to intervene.


    Sensing the impending chaos, Mr. Burton had already discreetly vanished from sight. Ste, not one to take unnecessary risks, grabbed Marvin and retreated into the back room, locking the door behind them.


    The door shuddered with each furious impact from Jasper''s fists. Marvin nced nervously at Mr. Burton. "Is this door going to hold?" he asked, his voice betraying his anxiety.


    Mr. Burton cleared his throat. "Well, it''s been here for decades. Might not withstand much more of this battering."


    Marvin''s concern deepened. "What do we do now? That guy''s lost it..."