Betrayed, Then Back For Blood

Chapter 46

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Brandon trailed behind Ashton like a shadow, holding a cup of bubble tea in his hand. He offered it to Briar with a polite nod. “Miss Jennings, Mr. Wade picked this up for you on his way.”

Criar rolled her eyes, biting back a laugh.

She wasn’t one to turn down a kind gesture, so she took the cup and muttered a quick “Thanks.”

Ashton glanced at his watch, as if waiting for someone. Noticing Briar hadn’t touched the drink, he nudged her gently. “Give it a try. How’s it taste?”

Briar lowered her gaze, poked the straw into the cup, and took a sip. The chilled bubble tea was refreshingly sweet, with chewy, bouncy pearls that hit all the right spots. “It’s really good,” she said, her voice softening.

“Glad you like it,” Ashton replied, a satisfied nod accompanying his words. Just then, hurried footsteps echoed nearby. His gaze shifted from Briar’s lips, still damp with bubble tea, to the direction of the sound–just in time to see Frank barreling toward them. The warm smile on Ashton’s face vanished, replaced by a steely glare.

Frank, seeing Ashton’s intense stare, stumbled, almost falling. He even started mentally preparing for how he’d call an ambulance after Ashton inevitably beat him up. Trembling, he stood before Ashton and managed a shaky greeting. “Ashton…”

out a cold huff before turning to Briar. “Let’s

shot a desperate glance at Brandon, hoping for a hint, but Brandon kept his eyes

Ashton was taking her to the infirmary, but

watched, utterly bewildered, as Marvin and

of events that would play well with Ashton. He emphasized the parts Ashton would want to hear and glossed over the rest. Even so, the general outline of the incident was clear

with Lydia, Mia, and Abbie in tow, the atmosphere in the office hit her like a

Principal Marvin. She frowned, puzzled–Marvin rarely got

their confusion deepening when they saw Frank looking

darted to the man sitting next to Briar on the sofa. Even if they didn’t know who he was, the air around him screamed power and authority. His presence

The haughty confidence they’d wielded against Briar earlier evaporated, replaced by a

know Ashton, but his aura alone was enough

her. ‘Why is he here? And why is he

Briar had Ashton

face paled at the