Chapter 20
Charles had been so full of himself just moments ago-now he was completely flustered.
“Thanks,” Yvonne said softly, though there was a sharp glint in her gentle eyes. “But we can buy our own lunch.
“That’s not what I meant, Yvonne,” Charles said with a forced smile. “I was just joking earlier. We’re family, no need to be so touchy.”
“I thought you were an orphan,” Robert looked at him coldly. “Who’s family with you?”
That line hit Charles like a punch to the gut. He instantly felt his blood boil.
But with bigger problems to deal with, he took a deep breath and forced a grin. “Robert, you don’t know how tough life is in the city. I had no choice but to pretend I didn’t have any family.
“How about this-if you come with me now and help clear things up with Mr. Russell, I promise I’ll make sure Nina gets into Aqualore International High School.”
Nina scoffed silently. It seemed that old man, Mr. Russell, was someone important.
“Really?” Robert frowned, clearly doubtful.
“Really! I swear!” Charles nodded like crazy.
Nina gave her dad a sideways glance, a bit suspicious.
“But isn’t it too late now?” Robert asked.
“No, no! Don’t worry, it’s not too late. Mr. Russell’s an old man-he walks slowly. He probably hasn’t even left the parking lot yet.” Charles was so anxious he looked ready to drag Robert there himself.
“Alright,” Robert finally said, then turned to Yvonne. “You two go ahead and look around. I’ll catch up in a bit.”
Yvonne smiled at once, then pointed at the dessert shop nearby and looked at Nina with warm eyes. “Wanna check it out?”
Nina blinked, then followed her inside.
Charles was completely out of patience. “Hurry, Robert! If we’re any later-”
Robert suddenly smiled-then swung his fist hard into Charles’s nose.
Charles stumbled back, dazed, just starting to cry out when Robert clamped a hand over his mouth and shut him up.
It all happened so fast that no one around even noticed. But Nina had sharp ears and turned her head on instinct.
She saw Robert gripping Charles by the collar with one hand and covering his mouth with the other, dragging him straight into the nearby emergency exit.
Nina was stunned. She realized Robert had only pretended to agree so he could give Charles a beating.
“Nina, what are you looking at?” Yvonne had already finished a lap inside the dessert shop and came back smiling warmly.
“I want this one.” Nina kept her cool and casually pointed to the nearest ice cream by the door.
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9:10 pm σ &
Chapter 20
Yvonne nodded gently and opened the freezer. “What flavor do you want?”
Nina was just about to answer when she noticed it was Häagen-Dazs.
Suddenly, a hand yanked the freezer door. A fake-sweet voice chimed in, “Ma’am, just a friendly heads-up-that’s Häagen- Dazs. The cheapest one’s over fifteen bucks. Don’t you think that’s a bit much for you?”
Yvonne’s hand on the freezer door tensed slightly.
Nina looked over coldly. The girl who’d spoken had curly hair, heavy makeup, and a miniskirt. She looked like a troublemaker-and the nasty, mocking look in her eyes made it clear she was picking a fight.
“Whether we can afford it or not has nothing to do with you,” Nina said. If Yvonne weren’t standing right there, she would’ve shoved that girl’s face into the freezer.
But the girl just smirked and pushed further. “Being a bumpkin isn’t your fault, but coming out here and ruining my mood? That’s on you.”
0:10 pm
