Chapter 18
Felix lugged the groceries back to The Hamilton Manor, where Maximilian was chilling. As soon as Felix got home, he started spilling the tea about what went down at Katniss’s place to Maximilian.
Maximilian was lounging on the couch, propping his head up with one hand, slowly opening his eyes. At that moment, it was like a curtain lifted, revealing a hidden gem.
Maximilian said coolly, “She’s got guts.”
Felix looked at Maximilian, mulling it over, and finally decided to ask, “How about we give the cops a heads–up? Make sure they take it seriously. Don’t let them brush off Katniss just ‘cause she’s a young girl.”
Maximilian raised his head, a thoughtful look in his eyes, then nodded, saying, “Yeah, use the house phone.”
Felix immediately called the police station and laid out the situation hoping they’d take the case seriously.
The voice on the other end sounded a bit nervous. They had planned to sweep the case under the rug due to pressure from the Manners family, but they didn’t expect a call from Maximilian, giving them a stern warning.
“We’ll send someone to handle it ASAP. Please be patient,” came the steady voice from the police station.
The cops had been hesitant, but now they were determined to nab the suspect.
Early the next morning, Isla made some porridge and called Katniss for breakfast. Katniss couldn’t say no to the warm invite and had a bowl. Owen had a stroke and was paralyzed a few years ago, and Aurora healed him without charging a dime. After Katniss was taken back by the Manners family, she was quiet, self–conscious, and sensitive. The two old folks genuinely liked her, always thinking of her when there was something good to eat.
You could say the years Katniss spent with Aurora were the happiest times of her life.
After finishing the porridge, Katniss went to wash the dishes, then hurried downstairs.
At the corner of the stairs, a strong hand suddenly grabbed Katniss’s wrist. Before she could react, she was yanked down the stairs. Her body jolted and stumbled, causing her pain as she was dragged down.
“Let go of me! Who are you?” Katniss struggled and shouted.
“Shut up! Don’t move!” a deep voice commanded.
Her wrist was hurting more and more, but Katniss gritted her teeth, staring ahead. They moved quickly, and she struggled to keep up, being forcibly pulled along, enduring a rough and bumpy ride.
Finally, they stopped at the entrance to a dimly lit basement, dust swirling in the air. Katniss barely managed to stand, staring at the shadow in the darkness and asking, “What do you want?”
“Shut up and come with me,” the voice was cold and commanding, clearly Lucas.
Then a powerful force yanked her up the steps. Katniss lost her balance, falling heavily against the wall.
Katniss let out a cry of pain, feeling a sharp pain in her ankle.
She tried to endure the pain, gritting her teeth and attempting to get up. “What are you doing? Let go of me!” she shouted angrily.
Lucas responded coldly, “You brought this on yourself. Katniss, you dared to report Simon to the police, getting him arrested. How
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Chapter 18
could you be so vicious?” Lucas’s voice was harsh.
Lucas angrily said, “How can you be so cold–blooded and heartless,nding your own brother to the police?
Katniss calmly replied, “I used the law to protect my rights. There’s nothing to feel guilty about.”
Lucas couldn’t stay calm. The Manners family was in a frenzy, wanting to kill Katniss. Clara was so worried that she skipped
breakfast.
Katniss looked at Lucas, her expression calm, saying, “I was just protecting my rights. Simon was out of line. Katniss had been prepared, knowing the Manners family wouldn’t stand by.
Lucas angrily questioned Katniss, “How can you say that? Simon is your brother, and you sent him to jail. Are you mad?” Provoked by Katniss, Lucas became agitated and lost his temper.
Katniss looked up disdainfully, responding, “Oh? I treated Simon as
brother, but did he treat me as a sister? If he doesn’t care
about my well–being, why should I care about his?” Seeing through the true nature of the Manners family, Katniss retorted without hesitation.
Lucas couldn’t help but slap Katniss across the face, shouting angrily “Katniss, I always thought you were just willful, but I didn’t realize you were so cruel. You don’t deserve to be our sister!” Katniss felt like she was exploding, her ears ringing, her whole body trembling.
With frost in her eyes, Katniss coldly looked at Lucas, saying, “This is the last time I’ll let you hit me.” Lucas had initially wanted to talk, but seeing Katniss’s cold attitude, his anger flared even more.
He said, “If you hadn’t promised Clara the spot and had given it to Juniper, would Simon have done those things? It’s all your fault. Simon was just messing around a bit. What good does blowing it up do you?” Katniss felt a chill in her heart, her eyes reddening, saying, “He smashed Grandma’s house! The only thing she left behind.”
It was also the only thing Aurora left her after she died.
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