Chapter 7 The Price of Truth
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The day’s classes passed quickly. Although the school had evening study sessions, Azalea had already explained her situation to the homeroom teacher–she didn’t need to attend.
She packed up her things, planning to buy some groceries and cook dinner. That way, she’d still have enough energy later to hit the gaming café for some gaming.
But someone stopped her as soon as she stepped out of the school gates.
It was Bastian.
His brows were tightly furrowed, and his expression was laced with disappointment and anger. “I thought cutting ties with Dad was already outrageous enough–but I didn’t expect you to sink even lower than that.”
Azalea frowned. She didn’t get where this sudden attack came from and instinctively took two steps back. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.
“If you’ve nothing else to say, please don’t bother me.”
Bastian’s jaw clenched, his temple twitching with frustration. Clearly, he wasn’t satisfied with her response. “Why did you post that video on the school forum? Do you have any idea how much damage that’s done to Sydney? She’s still in training camp with Jubilee and called me in tears, asking how she offended you. Why would you treat her like this? You’ve gone too far.”
Too far?
Azalea found that hilarious–she really did laugh. But the more she laughed, the more absurd it felt. They all knew about what was being said on the forum. They’d seen the accusations thrown at her and still chose to stay out of it like it had nothing to do with them.
But now that her retaliation had affected Sydney? Suddenly, no matter what the truth was–it was her fault,
“Bastian, is your head just there for decoration? Only the guests at that Lark’s banquet knew what had happened. Would they dare go against the Larks and post something online?
“If I wasn’t slandered first, do you think I’d bother uploading that video? And let me ask you–did I fake that footage? Isn’t everything in it the truth?”
Bastian was briefly stunned by the questioning but quickly regained his composure. “You’ve never been the likable type. You probably pissed someone off, and they’re getting revenge. Sydney would never do something like that.”
Azalea rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they stayed in her skull She had to be sick in the head to even be arguing logic with someone suffering from Sydney Syndrome. “Get lost!”
But Bastian wouldn’t let her go. As she turned to leave, he grabbed her wrist. “You’re coming home with me to apologize to Sydney. I’ll get to the bottom of this, but you’ll fix the damage first.”
He wouldn’t let her leave.
Azalea felt like she was about to explode. This must be what it’s like to argue with a brick wall. “So even when the facts aren’t clear, I’m still automatically the one at fault, huh?”
Bastian opened his mouth to explain–probably thinking of when Sydney fell down the stairs–but Azalea didn’t give him a
chance..
“I remember when first came back to the Larks, there were rumors at school that Sydney was about to be kicked out. Mr. Lark immediately asked me to stage some sisterly bonding scenes with her to shut people up. You guys even cleared your schedules and came to school to personally reassure everyone she will always be the daughter of the Larks. And who was the hrst person to start the rumors? Cassius even sent them a lawyer’s letter.
“But now? Have any of you stood up for me?
“Nope.
“You’re supposed to be my biological brother, but your first instinct is to scold me–for trying to clear my own name- because it made Sydney sad?!
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Chapter 7 The Price of Truth
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“I seriously don’t get it. Is she made of glass? One little thing, and she breaks down crying? Then what about me–should I be jumping off a building with everything I’ve been called?
“If you guys are all so worried about Sydney, then isn’t she enough for you? Why are you even bothering with me?
“Bastian, even being biased has its limits.”
His grip on her wrist loosened. He was speechless–because deep down, he knew she was right.
He parted his lips, wanting to say how the family cared about her. But thinking of their behavior until now.
stuck in his throat.
He let out a long breath. “Whatever the case, you’re coming home with me.”
Azalea was starting to wonder if this man had a mental disorder.
the words
“Didn’t we agree to grab food together? What’s the holdup!” a calm, almost bored male voice interrupted them. It was Wylie, dressed in a white shirt and black pants, one hand lazily shoved in his pocket. His eyes landed on them with visible impatience.
His expression was stiff as a board. He’d been caught up in this nonsense, thanks to Hubert, who had shown up out of the blue to pick him op after school–something that hadn’t happened in years. Wylie had thought, maybe he wanted to rekindle the uncle–nephew bond or something?
Yeah, no. When Azalea stepped out of the school gates, Hubert turned to him and said, “Wylie, I think it’s important to maintain good relationships with your classmates. Don’t you think so!”
No, he absolutely didn’t think so.
But given who was asking. Wylie had no choice but to appear right on cue
Azalea was a little startled. Of course, she recognized Wylie, but they weren’t nearly close enough to meet for dinner. Still, this was the perfect excuse to get away.
She shook off Bastian’s hand and quickly moved to Wylie’s side. “Let’s go.”
Wylie clenched his jaw. Honestly, he was curious too. How did Azalea know Hubert?
He glanced at her several times, then led her toward the car.
Bastian might dare to stop Azalea, but he definitely wouldn’t block Wylie–not with him being the Lennoxs
And besides, there were rumors that Hubert was back.
Sure enough, just as Azalea left, Bastian’s phone rang. It was the hospital.
“Mr. Lark, Ms. Yarrow’s test results are in. Please come to the hospital to pick them up.”
When Azalea passed out at the hospital, Bastian had asked for a full medical check–up.
Having shaken off Bastian, Azalea turned to Wylie with a polite nod. Thanks for helping me out back there, Wylie. I won’t bother you anymore!
“It’s not me who wanted to find you–it’s him. Wylie opened the back ear door, revealing a figure sitting in the shadows.
She couldn’t make out his face, just the outline of a long, elegant hand resting in the light.
A low chuckle sounded from inside, smooth and faintly amused. “Ms. Yarrow, may I treat you to a meal?”
When she realized it was Hubert who’d invited her to dinner, Azalea agreed without hesitation.
Sitting in the backseat between Hubert and Wylie, Azalea finally snapped out of her daze. Hubert tuvited me to dinner!
Shocking!
The car was quiet. A bodyguard drove while another sat in the passenger seat.
Wylie and Hubert flanked her on either side, looking at his phone and reading a document. Neither seemed interested in
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Chapter 7 The Price of Truth
making small talk.
Which, honestly, suited her just fine.
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To be fair, even in her last life, most of what she knew about the two came from Sydney. Sydney had a massive crush on Wylie and believed he was the only one worthy of her.
Wylie’s parents died in an accident when he was little. He was raised by Roger Lennox and later went to live with Hubert, supposedly to fulfill his late mother’s wishes. He pursued art, and when Sydney found out he was going to attend Jubilee, she even switched to art herself just to follow him–going so far as to use Azalea as a ghost painter..
As for Hubert, he was practically a legend–hands down the most eligible bachelor in Draywick. If someone wrote a CEO character in a drama or novel, nine times out of ten, it was based on him.
Compared to him, she actually knew Wylie a bit better. He had another identity: team captain and jungler of the GOD pro gamingsteam–ID: Cerberus.
Because of that name, fans had affectionately and mockingly nicknamed him ‘Dog God: Fitting, given how brutal his playstyle was.
Azalea had always thought their first real encounter would be him scouting her for t
the team.
She stole a glance to her side. Sure enough, Wylie’s phone showed a compilation of her recent plays–edited clips from her gaming cafe matches,
She’d
spent some cash on renting a high–rank account. She had been crushing the ranked ladder the past few days, even running into several well–known streamers and pros, which drew much attention.
Looks like an invitation from GOD isn’t far off.
She intertwined her fingers and took a deep breath. Now, she was even more curious–just what did Hubert want with her?
