Chapter 13 Cornered, Not Broken
Cassius flew into a rage. What was up with Azalea’s attitude?
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+8 Pearls:
If the school hadn’t called him today, he wouldn’t have even known she’d secretly switched back to the academic class,
Who gave her permission?
Seeing the mocking look in her eyes only fueled his fury.
She’d been scolded several times and already had the nerve to cut ties and run away from home. Now, she even dared to talk back to him?
What, if he kept letting her be, would she start thinking she was untouchable?
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. He raised his hand and slapped her across the face.
Caught off guard, Azalea took the hit directly. But she raised her hand the next second and slapped him right back.
Cassius was stunned. He hadn’t expected her to fight back
Azalea grabbed the pair of scissors lying on the coffee table with lightning speed. Her eyes were sharp and hostile, staring at him like a comered wolf, “Cassius, if you dare touch me again, I’ll drag you down with me.”
Cassius had never seen her like this before.
In his mind. Azalea was always that timid little thing with her head down, always meek and quiet.
She wouldn’t even protest when she got yelled at. She’d just try to calm them down and ensure they didn’t stress themselves
oul
The slap alone was enough to enrage him. But now, she dared to point scissors at him?
His face darkened. “Azalea, do you even know what you’re doing right now?”
“I know exactly what I’m doing.” Azalea replied, unflinching. I’m protecting myself.
“These past three years, I never had enough to eat in the Larks. I did everything you guys asked me to. At the hospital, Wesley had already slapped me once. I don’t owe your family anything anymore. And from now on, if anyone from your family dares to lay a finger on me again, then we die together.
Watching things spiraljour of control, the homeroom teacher felt her eyelid twitch. She quickly stepped in to stop Cassius. “Mr. Lark, let’s talk this through. Azalea, you too, put the scissors down.”
The teacher’s voice pulled Cassius back to his senses. He rubbed his sore cheek. This was still a school. Azalea could throw away her dignity, but he couldn’t.
Swallowing his rage, he sneered, ‘Alright, Azalea. Let’s see how long you can keep acting tough.”
With that, he turned and left.
He had plenty of ways to deal with her.
Azalea watched him leave with a smirk. What was there to fear? She had nothing to lose.
She turned to the homeroom teacher and politely thanked her before heading back to class as if nothing had happened.
Alter everyone left, the teacher quietly took out her phone and sent a message summarizing everything that had just happened to someone.
The first thing Cassius did after leaving the school was to call his assistant. “Tell Azalea’s current landlord to kick her out. Also, make sure she gets blacklisted by every place that might be willing to take her in”
That evening, after school, Azalea planned to stop by an gaming café to relax with a game or two.
Hot as soon as she reached the entrance, she was stopped.
Chapter 13 Cornered, Not Broken
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The owner looked her up and down and gave a flimsy excuse. There’s been a crackdown lately. I’m not letting in students
anymore.
Azalea glanced at a middle schooler standing closest to the door, a question mark popping up in her mind.
So, does the crackdown only apply to high schoolers?
Still, there was no point arguing. She walked away.
But when she returned to her rental apartment, the frustration in her heart completely transformed into fury. All of her things had been packed up and tossed outside.
As she approached, the landlord looked at her coldly. “You’re back? That’s good. Take your stuff and leave.”
He shoved a wad of cash into her hand. It was the full refund of the rent she’d paid.
Azalea clenched her fingers around the money, forcing herself not to explode.
What was the point of yelling? It wouldn’t change anything.
Unlike
Unlike the gaming cafe incident, this was obvious, Cassius‘ handiwork.
She gathered her things and rolled her suitcase to a nearby hotel. Just as she expected, they refused to let her check–in.
No surprise there.
If Cassius thought this kind of tactic would make her crawl back and beg, he was dreaming.
Even if she died out on the street, she’d never lower her head to the Larks again.
Night fell. Azalea ended up in a park, sitting alone on a bench.
Looked like she’d be spending the night here.
She didn’t believe there wasn’t a single corner of Draywick where she could find a place to stay.
But she had to admit, she was still too weak,
She needed to get stronger. It was the only way to stand up to the Larks. The only way to ensure that she’d be the one calling the shots next time.
Her gaze hardened.
Then the night wind picked up, and her determined resolve deflated like a popped balloon.
Right First, she had to figure out where to sleep tonight.
She let out a deep sigh.
“Wow, it’s not even been a full day, and you’ve already turned into a stray cat?” a teasing voice rang out above her.
Azalea looked up, dazed.
Under the streetlight, Hubert stood in a crisp white shirt and black pants, one hand in his pocket.
Compared to last time, his hairstyle looked much more formal, slicked back with hair gel, adding a certain sense of distance.
His words sounded playful, but there wasn’t a hint of amusement on his face. His eyes, in fact, carried a flicker of something darker.
Tye apparently been blacklisted from every place I could stay,” Azalea said. For some reason, the moment she saw Hubert, the pressure in her chest eased a little. She even managed a small, albeit forced, smile.
Hubert reached over and ruffled her hair. “If you don’t feel like smiling, then don’t.” Hubert’s voice was casual. “It’s not that big of a deal I haven’t blacklisted you yet.
Azalea’s expression stiffened, and the curve of her lips slowly dropped. “Hubert, why are you helping me?
Chapter 13 Cornered, Not Broken
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“Don’t tell me you just happened to be passing by this park, then decided on a whim to take a stroll, and by pure coincidence, you saw me sitting here, homeless, and had the sudden urge to take me in out of the goodness of your heart.”
Hubert spread his hands with a helpless expression. “You already said all my excuses. What am I supposed to say now?”
Azalea stared at him seriously, lips pressed together.
She could only think of one reason: maybe Hubert liked her face and wanted to play with her.
If you’re trying to she started, but Hubert cut her off.
His eyes were more serious than she’d ever seen. “Azalea. I’m not the kind of guy who messes around with high school girls.
“My brother and his wife got into an accident saving a little girl. You could say I have a soft spot for people like you because of
that
OL
Azalea chuckled lightly. So Hubert really didn’t need to toy with a girl like her.
If he had bad intentions, now would’ve been the perfect moment to act.
But he hadn’t done anything.
1
She’d heard bits and pieces about Hubert’s older brother in her past life. His words weren’t impossible to believe..
In fact, he had even founded a charity in his brother’s name, one dedicated to funding education for underprivileged girls in rural areas
Azalea stood up, dusted herself off, and gave him a bright smile. “Then I’ll thank you for taking me in. Mr. Lennox.”
That smile was dazzling. Hubert was momentarily stunned.
The emotions in his eyes grew deeper.
What had the Larks done to turn this bright, smiling girl into someone so guarded and cold?
He quietly took her suitcase and walked behind her, maintaining a step‘ distance as they exited the park.
Outside, the same two bodyguards from before were waiting. Their eyes lit up as they watched the scene unfold.
“Mr. Lennox flew back on the earliest flight just to pick up Ms. Yarrow!” one whispered.
That’s nothing! I stood behind him today when her homeroom teacher texted him updates on her situation!”
“Wait, wasn’t he the one who sent Hex to deal with William?”
“I think we’re getting a wedding invitation soon,” muttered the first one.
“You sure?” said the second guard. “Don’t forget how cold Mr. Lennox usually is. He might just be helping her out of pity.” The first one gave him a look that said Yeah, right.
Inside the car, Azalea sat beside Hubert. He gave the driver an address. First to Ashbourne Villa, then to Crestmere Estate. Ashbourne is where I usually stay. You’ll live there for now. I’ll move to Crestmere Estate with Wylie.
“I figured whether you stay with me or I bring you to Wylie, you’d be uncomfortable.”
“Thank you,” Azalea murmured.
She’d never imagined someone would think things through for her like this.
