Chapter 49
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Nathan’s eyes bulged when he saw Aria .
“ Why is it you ? ” he demanded .
Aria gave him a quick glance but remained silent as she pulled out a chair and sat down
Micah spoke up . “ No one else had time . Mr. Saxon asked Miss Aria Saxon to come .”
It stung Mathan’s pride to have someone he disliked witness his most humiliating m
moment
Still , the mess was his making , and he had no right to blame anyone else ,
These people were tough to deal with, but Nathan was curious to see how Aria would handle it .
Once he’d calmed down , he figured he might as well step aside . “ She’s my guardian . You want to figure things out , talk to her
Thome spoke up first , “ You’re— ”
Aria interrupted , “ I’ll understand the situation first , then we’ll talk about compensation .
At the mention of compensation , Thorne’s eyes lit up , but before he could speak , Aria shot him a look that silenced him. “ Don’t interrupt me , or we’re done here . We’ll call the police . ”
The dean and Valerie exchanged a glance ,
Valerie wondered , is she being too arrogant ? Maybe . But at least it is quiet now
Maelis gritted her teeth . “ Fine , you figure it out . But don’t think this is over – my son was hurt , and it’s not finished ”
Aria turned her eyes to Nathan , taking in his disheveled school uniform , torn cellar , bandaged forehead , swollen lett cheek , darkened lips , and the bloodstains on his neck
“ You guys really scratch each other like that when you fight ? ” she remarked .
Nathan , frustrated by her gaze , was ready to retort , but paused . “ is that really the point ? ”
Aria raised an eyebrow . “ Did you lose the fight ? ”
“ No , ” Nathan responded without hesitation . “ I win . ”
Thorne and Maels were seething , ready to erupt when Nathan added , “ Tavion runs his mouth , so he’s paying the price . ”
Thorne and Maelis exchanged looks , their fury momentarily quelled by the thought of a bigger payout .
They had researched – the Saxon family was one of Mandino City’s four major families . Asking for a few million wasn’t out of the question .
Aria’s gaze swept over the two boys before lacking ploto Tavion Wellier
He was tall , overweight , with green – dyed hair , and covered in a few noticeable wounds .
The most serious injury was to his right leg , which was wrapped up like a pig’s trotter .
She glanced back at Nathan . She thought , “ Really stupid . He doesn’t even know how to strike in the shadows . ”
A sharp whistle cut through the room .
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It was Tavion
Tavion grinned cockily . “ Nathan , is this your sister ? She’s got a nice figure – better than your girlfriend’s ”
Nathan instantly lost it , charging at Tavion , but before he could reach him , Valerie shipped in front of him . “ Tavion’s parents , your son’s words are a bit
too harsh .”
Thorne scoffed , turning his head away .
As Aria looked at the teacher protecting Nathan , she slowly stood up and said , “ Compensation will be reduced by 300 thousand dollars . ”
The room went still .
Thorne wondered , “ What ? ”
Before anyone could respond , Thome rushed forward , slapped Tavion hard across the back of his head .
His beer belly jiggled with the force of the slap ,
“ Useless . Apologize ! ” he shouted .
Tavion cried out in pain , still stunned , before being forced to bow .
“ He’s young . He doesn’t understand , I’ve already taught him a lesson, ” Thorne said with a patronizing smile , his voice smooth and apologetic .
The dean and Valerie fell silent .
Valerie thought . “ Is this really the same man who’d been cursing us for the past hour ? ‘
tas surprised .
Nathan was just as su
He thought , ‘ Is this how it would be resolved ? I have money . I can handle it myself !
Aria’s tone remained calm . “ You hit the wrong place . His mouth is the dirty part ”
The slap echoed across the room , landing squarely on Tavion’s already wounded lips .
He howled in pain , tears filling his eyes .
The office was dead silent ; only the distant sounds of a classroom could be heard .
Valerie , seizing the opportunity , took a sip of water , finally breathing a little easier ,
“ Ms. Saxon , here’s what happened … Valerie began explaining the whole situation
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