Chapter 128

.then I’d really be an idiot.”
Before Ronald could even crack a smile, Charlotte lifted her head. Her face was stunning, delicate features framed by loose, dark hair. There was a hint of a smile on her lips, but her eyes were sharp and cold.
Everyone just stared, caught off guard by how bold she was.
Before anyone could react, Charlotte’s voice rang out again, even colder this time. “Andrew and Parrish stood up for me. If they’re getting punished for it, I’ll take it on with them.”
Anthony’s eyes narrowed, a flash of approval flickering across his face.
“But him Charlotte turned her gaze to Dennis, whose face was already a mess of bruises and swelling. She arched an eyebrow, and suddenly the whole room felt colder. “If he doesn’t get kicked out of this school today, I swear, every time I see him from now on, I’ll beat him down again.”
She didn’t care who was watching. The confidence and fire in her voice left everyone silent, the whole place frozen.
Steven couldn’t help but flinch. He felt like Charlotte was dragging their whole family right to the edge, daring fate to push them off.
“Charlotte, you’re hopeless!” he burst out.
If she wanted to ruin herself, why did she have to take the whole family along for the ride?
“Dad, you have to do something!” Dennis whined, glancing at Charlotte and shrinking away when she met his eyes with such obvious hatred. Olivia had warned him about Charlotte’s violent streak. He’d thought it was just gossip, because she looked so sweet and fragile. But remembering how fiercely she’d smashed him in the head, he realized every word was true.
“Don’t worry. Dad’s got your back. This kind of trash-” Henry Dean’s voice was shaking with anger as he glared at Charlotte. But he stopped short, the words catching in his throat when he saw her face up close.
Charlotte was standing tall, chin up, her long hair falling over her shoulders. In the sunlight, her features looked even more breathtaking, every detail clear.
Henry Dean stared at her, speechless. Something about her looked so familiar.
Wait…
He blinked, rubbed his eyes, and looked again. Then it hit him.
She was the girl from that night by the river. The one who’d risked everything to save his other son, Jasper.
She was the one who’d saved the Dean family.
Henry Dean felt his legs go weak. He shot a panicked glance at Anthony. Anthony was just sitting there, lazily
band, but his
swirling a glass inc
eyes were as cold as ice, fixed on
Henry with a clear warning
Oh no.
It was true. This girl was with Anthony. He remembered that night so clearly, how Anthony, the man everyone said was cold and
untouchable, had held her so gently in his armas, like she was the most important thing in the world.
Dennis hadn’t just messed with Anthony’s brother. He’d messed with his girl, too.
A splitting pain shot through Henry Dean’s head. His knees gave out, and he staggered.
“Dad, what’s wrong?” Dennis rushed
to help his father up, still clueless He jabbed a finger at Charlotte, puffing himself up. “You hick you made my dad sick. I’m not going to let you get away with-”
He didn’t even finish. There was a sudden rush of wind, and then a sharp smack
echoed through the room as Charlotte’s hand connected with his cheek.
The hit was so hard it knocked Dennis straight to the floor. His head spun, ears ringing.