Chapter 28 Not Backing Down
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Katie’s features were fair and composed, her eyes filled with determination, tinged with a hint of rebellion.
She answered firmly, “No matter how many times you say it, I still don’t agree.”
Sally took advantage of the situation, trying to sound sweet, “Rowan, don’t be upset. I’ve started working with a tutor, and my grades will improve soon. Katie has worked really hard, too–look at the progress she’s made. I’ll study with her, I promise!”
Eddie joined in, “Rowan, I’ll take care of their grades. You don’t have to worry about it.”
Rowan, however, was visibly frustrated. “Stop making excuses for Katie. I know exactly how she is. Just because Sally joined the family, Katie’s been upset and looking for reasons to pick fights! Katie, listen! No matter how much you sulk or throw a fit, or even threaten to run away, it won’t change the fact that Sally’s here to stay. Even if you leave, she won’t. Understand?”
Katie lowered her gaze, her face unreadable.
Eddie, seeing her subdued, felt a pang of concern. “Katie, that’s not what Rowan meant!”
Katie lifted her head, her eyes distant, her voice sharp, “It doesn’t matter.”
Without another word, she turned and left the VIP room, unable to stay any longer.
Eddie’s face fell, and he started to follow her, but Rowan’s voice, now filled with anger, stopped him. “Hold on, Eddie. You’re too soft. That girl is taking advantage of you.”
Eddie sighed, frustration in his voice. “Rowan, that’s not it.”
Katie had changed.
If this had happened before, Eddie would’ve thought she was just throwing a tantrum.
But remembering the look on her face just now, his stomach tightened with worry. He had never seen her like that before.
Sally, trying to smooth things over, said, “Rowan, Eddie, stop arguing. It’s all my fault. If I had done better on my exams, maybe I’d be as smart as Katie. I’m just so dumb.”
Rowan’s tone softened, “It’s not your fault. Melvin’s team took up too much of your time. Clifford told me what happened. Sally, don’t defend Katie. Just because she’s related to us by blood doesn’t mean we’ll treat her any differently.”
Sally forced a smile, tears still in her eyes. “Thanks, Rowan. I’ll do better.”
In this family, Rowan was the hardest to please.
With Rowan so often away, Sally had always been intimidated by him.
But today, Katie had given her a rare opportunity.
On the other hand, Eddie felt that Rowan had misunderstood Katie.
He tried to explain, “Rowan, Katie participated in the competition too. If it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t have won the revival
match.”
Rowan scoffed, “Oh, right. She pretended to refuse Melvin’s team, probably hoping he’d beg her. But once Sally joined, she got upset and secretly practiced, just waiting for her moment to show off.”
“That’s not true, Rowan,” Eddie objected.
A wave of helplessness washed over him.
Seeing Rowan’s attitude toward Katie, Eddie suddenly realized that he had probably treated her the same way in the past.
Was that why Katie had been so hurt and pulled away from them?
Eddie felt a lump in his throat, unable to speak. He had finally realized how wrong he had been.
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Chapter 28 Not Backing Down
The problem wasn’t Katie. Maybe the one who was wrong was him.
Sally and Rowan were laughing and chatting as though they hadn’t even noticed Katie’s absence.
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Eddie, feeling uneasy, realized today was supposed to be a celebration for Katie’s achievements, something he had planned just for her.
Without Rowan noticing, he slipped out of the VIP room.
Eddie called Katie, but she didn’t pick up.
He quickly texted, “Katie, where are you?”
Katie glanced at the message, then stood up from the bathroom stall.
She stood in front of the mirror, staring at her slightly reddened eyes.
She had promised herself countless times she wouldn’t let the Maddisons get to her, that she wouldn’t let them make her jupset.
But Rowan’s words still hurt.
Katie splashed cold water on her face. Only a month left. After that, she wouldn’t have to endure any of this anymore.
She left the bathroom, intending to take the elevator out of the restaurant.
“Why are you here?” a voice interrupted her thoughts.
Katic looked up, startled, and saw Ryan. She quickly lowered her head. “Just here to eat.”
Her voice sounded hoarse.
Ryan took a step closer. “Did you cry?”
Her voice had a certain quality, as though she had been crying.
Katic instinctively denied it, “No.”
Just then, the elevator doors opened, and Eddie stepped out.
Seeing him, Katie immediately rushed into Ryan’s arms, clutching his shirt tightly.
She wanted to disappear into Ryan’s embrace, not wanting Eddie to see her here.
Ryan stood there for a moment, frozen, his gaze dropping to the girl clinging to him. She pressed herself so tightly against him that he could almost smell the sweet fragrance on her.
His throat tightened, and instinctively, he tried to pull away.
But before he could, she looped her arms around his neck.
To anyone watching, it would look like they were a couple deeply in love.
Ryan’s lips pressed together in surprise at her actions.
The usually calm man didn’t know what to do.
Katie peered out cautiously, seeing Eddie heading back to the VIP room. Only then did she let out a breath of relief.
She realized how close they were. Looking up, she noticed just how tall Ryan was.
She had been standing on tiptoe to wrap her arms around his neck, and he had bent down slightly to accommodate her.
Embarrassed, Katie let go. “Uh, carlier, when Eddie came out of the elevator, I didn’t want him to see me, so… block him.”
I used you to
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Chapter 28 Not Backing Down
Ryan squinted, probably understanding why she was here and why her mood had soured.
His voice teased, “So, you think any guy could shield you?*
Katie stared at him in surprise, “I guess not.”
Standing next to her, Ryan was the only one she hadn’t hesitated to stay close to.
If it had been anyone else, she wouldn’t have acted that way.
Ryan’s mood lightened after hearing her response. “Did you come here to eat with them?”
“Yeah, they said it was to celebrate my good grades.”
Katie’s tone was a little sarcastic.
She stole a glance at him, recalling how she had seen him earlier with a beautiful woman. Now, it was just him.
Ryan’s voice was calm. You ranked tenth this time. Not bad.”
Katie couldn’t help but feel a little proud. “It’s okay. I might have a chance at Thalindor University now.”
He had said before that her ranking wasn’t good enough.
Ryan noticed her subtle pride and smiled. “Have you eaten yet?”
n’t want to stay here.”
the people in the VIP room?”
de nodded. “If you have something to do, go ahead. I’ll head back to the apartment.”
She didn’t want to go home today.
“If anyone should leave, it’s them, not you.”
Katie was confused by his words.
Was he suggesting that he wanted to kick Eddie and the others out?
That seemed unlikely.
