<b>Chapter </b>45
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The familiar gesture made Aubree freeze fomentarily. Hearing Bowen’s words, she giggled drunkenly, titing her face up with a tipsy smile. “You’re so handsome… Carl kiss you?”
Before Bowen could react, the tipsy Aubree suddenly sprang up and nted a quick kiss on theer of his lips.
sal it with a kiss
Let me seal it with a
Aubree murmured, her words slursing from the alcohol. Her head lolled to the side, and before Bowen could reset, the
slumped into his arms, fast asleep.
Bowen <b>was </b>caughtpletely off <b>guard </b>by the less. His muscles tensed up, and he sat there, <b>frozen </b>in ce.
The lingering sensation on the corner of his lips clearly told him what had just happened. His mind wentpletely nk, but his body reacted with undeniable instinct
He was like <b>a </b><b>lovestruck </b>teenager, his heart pounding wildly.
Bowen’s throat went dry, his Adam’s apple bobbing nervously. Still holding <b>Aubree</b>, 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 <b>profound </b>and unfathomable, their depths swirling with a storm <b>of </b>unnamed
emotions.
Aber 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<b>, </b>next time you run into any trouble, just let us know. We’re not <b>just </b>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 m
Compared to herb 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 prl who suddenly came to our rescue today? She seemed pretty <b>badass</b><b>.</b>”
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 Han was scared of those two guys powerful people? Howe <b>you </b>never told me?
uys who showed upter. Matilda, when
get to know such
“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 mel”
After his sister saw right through him, <b>Drake </b>rubbed his nose sheepishly and said. “I was just thinking maybe I could help out the family, make things a
Title easier for us
<b>07:11 </b>Mon, 7 Jul
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
a piece of <b>cake </b>
Thinking this<b>, </b><b>a </b>note of dissatisfaction crept into his voice.
Matilda knew exactly what kind of preson 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, “Owl”
Matilda snapped, “Drake, I’m warning you, stop scheming about my friends! Have you forgotten what you promised mest time? Do you have to rum everyone in this family before you’re satisfied? Now that Han’s been dealt with, I swear, no more gambling ather this!”
Drake thought, I know I shouldn’t gamble… but damn, I just can’t resist the urge!
Drake wanted to are back, but when his eyesnded on Matilda’s wolf–cut short hair, his defiance instantly deted. “I’ll try to restrain myself,” he
mumbled.
Before he got hooked on those bad habits, Matilda <b>was </b>just like any ordinary girl, she kept her hair long and loved wearing pretty dresses. But the 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 cyclo
Trying to coax Matilda, he pleaded, “Matilda<b>, </b>please don’t be mad at me,
okay? I’ll get you a cupcake tomorrow.”
Seeing him carefully trying to appease her, Matilda falta 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 fraze, 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, <b>‘</b>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 Han send more men
Matilda hurriedly s swung the door open and frode. The scene inside wasn’t what she’d expected.
What the hell is Carmen doing in my <b>house</b><b>? </b>Matilda thought
Carmen sat <b>on </b>a stool, clearly disgusted by the <b>ce</b>, having even ced 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 asthough he’d been waiting for Matilda’s return.
“What are you doing in my house?” Matilda demandad, eyeing Carmen warily. They weren’t friends, her unexpected appearance could only <b>mean </b>
trouble.
Carmen shed a bright smile,pletely unfazed by Matilda’s <b>attitude</b>. “I just found <b>out </b>you’re at Rithal High too, Matilda. Actually, I’m here to ask <b>you </b>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
Rithol High wasn’t what people made it out to be
At Bithol High School, students fell into three categories. Those from privileged families, those admitted purely on academic ment, 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 <b>face </b>before she jumped to her death
Matilda’s fingers curled into tight fists one by one, her gaze burning with undisguised hatred <b>as </b>she red at Carmen.
Matilda’s mother, Shirley Diaz, coased her gently, “Matilda, be a bit more polite to Miss Wilson. She said that if <b>you </b>just do her a small favor, she’ll clear Drake’s debts for him.”
Rubbing his hands nervously, Truman Diar 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
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 <b>is </b>she looking at me <b>as </b>if she has some deep seated grudge against me<b>? </b>
‘Of course! Aubree must’ve been badmouthing me behind my back!
She had already looked into this family beforeing. Their son was a gambling addict, and they were drowning in debt. Families like this were the easiest to manipte.
“Matilda,” Carmen said with a gentle smile, “Tm 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, can make all your family’s problems disappear.”
Carmen was ko 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 <b>double </b>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 Han, there’s no way I’d <b>ever </b>help Carmen do something so despicable, I could never betray my conscience like that
At her refusal, a briet, chilling darkness shed in Carmen’s eyes, but she instantly rposed herself with a pleasant smile. “t’s all right. Take your time to think it over,” she said. Then, turning to the elders, she added, “<b>Guys</b>, maybe you can help persuade her too.”
As soon as Carmen leh, Truman snapped. “You stubborn girl! What happens with Aubree is none of your business. Do <b>you </b>know how much money that is? It’s enough to set <b>us </b>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 mmed the door.
The couple exchanged exasperated nces, their frustration with their daughter’s stubbornness boiling <b>over </b>
Drake’s eyes gleamed with a sly idea. “Mom, Dad, I’ve got a n,” he said slyly. “If it just needs to be done in Mattie’s name. if she won’t do it herself, we’ll just handle it for her, simple as that.”