<b>Chapter </b>82


    ” is she your girlhtend?” The director of the Education Bureau asked nervously.


    Ashton froze a moment, then gave a faint smile and said, “Who told you th?


    Hearing the amusement in Ashton’s voice on the other end of the line, Peter Connell’s expression became more serious “it doesn’t matter who told me. I just need your answer.”


    Though honestly, Ashton didn’t even need to give him any answers. The fact that he didn’t deny it said enough Even if Briar wasn’t his girlfriend now. she would be in the future.


    Ashton lit a Cigarette and said, “Mr. Connell, no matter what my rtionship with Briar is, if someone fois reported it to your bureau with sold evidence, shouldn’t you be handling, it impartially? Don’t let the people down.”


    Peter nearly choked from Ashton’s take righteousness. “Alright, got it. I’m hanging up”


    Peter was fuming inwardly. “Doesn’t he just want me to investigate it thoroughly? Why dress it up like that?”


    However, his call was notpletely fruitless. At the very least, he confirmed that the rumors flying around Shoneport were true, and Ashton


    really was interested in Briar


    Peter picked up Briar’s file again, lingering on the line that said she was eighteen. He clicked his tongue and sneered, “This punki”


    Since she was Ashton’s future girlfriend, Peter knew he had to handle the matter strictly by the book.


    So, he put down the file and dialed thendline on his desk. “Adam,e in for a minute.”


    Meanwhile, Briar dragged Ellen back to her house. As soon as they entered, <b>Ellen </b>admitted her mistake without even changing her shoes. “I’m sorry, Briar”


    Briar bent down to grab a brand–new pair of pink slippers from the shoe cab, gesturing for Ellen to wear them. Then, she kicked off her own shoes and walked to the couch in her socks. “<b>So</b>, what did you do wrong?”


    Ellen changed into the slippers and followed Briar to the sofa, looking so aggrieved that she was <b>about </b>to cry. “I was wrong for only crying


    when I was bullied, instead of fighting back.”


    With five bank cards in her hand, Ellen was so ashamed that she could not <b>even </b>raise her head.


    “Yes, and what else?” Briar took out a can of candy from under the coffee table, peeled a candy, and popped it into her mouth. The sweet and creamy vor quickly spread in her mouth, casing her irritation.


    Ellen sat down carefully and said, “And… I shouldn’t <b>have </b>kept quiet. I should’ve told you right <b>away</b>.”


    Briar nced at the girl, knowing full well Ellen had been bullied for a long time, and her <b>personality </b>wouldn’t change overnight. “Yes. It’s good that <b>you’ve </b>realized your mistake. <b>You’re </b>still a minor. Whenever something happens<b>, </b>you should go to your guardian for help first”


    Ellen nodded obediently.


    “Your brother’s still not back in the country, So I’m your temporary <b>guardian </b>Anyone who messes with you messes with me. And my people never get bullied and stay silent.” Briar said it patiently.


    Ellen nodded as if she understood. “So I can fight back? What if… I really shut them up?”


    <b>Briar </b>exined, “If someone shuts you up, that just means you’re <b>weak</b>, if you shut them up, that’s skill. As for whether you hurt or cripple


    them–that’s not your problem. Your brother will handle it. Get (92?


    Ellen’s <b>ever </b>lituin. “Gotti dot in


    “<b>I’m </b>d you understand. It’s noon. Order two takeaways and go to the fridge to get some bluehendes and cherries and wathi th?m “ériar Telt zero guilt about bossing around a minor,


    “Okay Ellen replied quickly.


    She stayed at Priar’s ce until evening. Only after dinner did the head home. By the time she left, all the negative emotions had basically disappeared, and she was skipping as she walked


    Once Ellen was gone, Briar called ian, summarizing the important parts of what had happened that day.


    tan had a short fuse. The moment he heard that his sister cried from being bullied again, he started swearing over the phone, threatening to


    have <b>those </b>kids taken out,


    Briar said angrily, “Alright, control yourself. You’re not even back to Dasmieca and you’re already causing trouble? Are you trying to scare your sister to death?”


    As for to what extent, that would depend on his mood.


    <b>ar </b>as I’m concerned, this ends here for now.”


    “I already stood up for her. The five students and that homeroom teacher won’t get off easy. As far <b>as </b>i


    Briar knewnwouldn’t take this lying down.


    “Okay,n finally muttered and quieted down.


    Late at night, Briar curled <b>up </b>in the swing chair by the window in her second–floor bedroom,ptop in hand, fingers flying across the keyboard. With the auctioning up in a few days, she had been browsing the Hacker Alliance’s leaderboard every night, picking up a few quick, low–effort jobs to earn some fast cash.


    She got so caught


    <i>tup </i>in


    in her work that she lost track of time and eventually dozed off, curled up in the chair with herptop.


    The next morning, when Ashton arrived at Briar’s gate, he was greeted by a picture–perfect Sleeping Beauty moment.


    The girl’s hair fell loosely over her shoulders, <b>her </b>side profile bathed in the soft golden light of dawn–misty and ethereal One of her hands restedzily outside the swing’s armrest, exuding a kind of quiet allure.


    Ashton stood silently at the gate, head slightly tilted up as he watched her. Coming from an elite family, he had seen his share of beautiful women–but only Briar, with her pure yet striking looks, managed to captivate him like this.


    Suddenly, Briar opened her eyes and met Ashton’s unwavering gaze. His eyes<b>, </b>usually calm, now carried a cold, bottomless stillness like <b>a </b>frozenke.


    Ashton froze for a second, then casually raised his hand and waved at her. Feeling no embarrassment at all that he’d been caught watching her sleep, <b>he </b>mouthed, “Briar,e eat breakfast.”


    Briar read Ashton’s lips and raised her eyebrows silently. After a moment, she nodded, stretched her curled up limbs, and carried theputer into the bedroom.


    In less than 20 minutes, Briar changed <b>his </b>clothes and <b>walked </b><b>out </b>while tying her hair. “Mr. Wade, what’s wrong? Are you nning to handle. my breakfast from now on?”


    <b>?? </b>


    Her morning voice was still a little raspy.


    Ashton’s lips curved faintly as he said, “A teenage girl needs three regr, bnced meals a day. Otherwise, you won’t grow taller


    Briar nced up at the obvious 8–inch height difference between them. She wanted to argue, but the words got stuck in her throat, so she only snorted heavily.


    That drawn–out little hum went straight to Ashton’s heart, making it flutter. He held back a smile and tried tofort her. “You’re only 15, There’s still room for you to grow taller.”


    Briar didn’t respond.


    To


    make it up to her, Ashton personally warmed up a ss of milk for her. Briar drank it with clenched teeth.


    She thought while ring at the man, “Hmpht So what if you are tall?”


    Her sulky expression made Ashton chuckle.


    AD


    Comment