Chapter 70

Dorothea caught sight of Garth following her and glanced back at Adelina, who was clearly playing favorites in the office. She knew there was no point in sticking

around.

Without hesitation, she took Garth’s hand and got ready to leave. “Adelina, I’ll have Garth’s father come talk to you in person tomorrow p>

As she turned to go, Albert reached out and grabbed her hand without thinking.

For some reason, Albert had a sinking feeling that after today, chances to be alone with Dorothea would only get rarer.

When their eyes met, he saw nothing but coldness and a clear, unmistakable disgust.

He wasn’t imagining it. She really was disgusted.

That look rattled him. Panic flashed through his chest and he quickly let go of her hand.

Dorothea walked out, not even glancing back.

Albert just stood there, staring after her until she disappeared from view. He was only snapped out of it when Adelina, cheeks flushed, spoke up beside him.

“Albert, would you mind exchanging numbers p>

He shot a look at the phone she offered, his expression just as uninterested. “Sorry, I’m not Jim’s guardian. You can get my sister’s number next time p>

In the car, Dorothea looked at Garth, her voice gentle and apologetic. “Sorry, Garth.

I couldn’t fix this for you. Maybe your dad will have to step in after all p>

Garth let out a little huff. “It’s fine. My uncle’s on his way anyway p>

Dorothea’s heart skipped. “You told your uncle p>

“Yeah.” Garth’s shoulders slumped. “Dad’s really busy. He’s still away for work, and if I bring up Mom, it just makes him sad p>

Dorothea’s heart ached for the little guy. He was only six, but already so thoughtful it hurt to see.

He was still just a kid.

She ruffled his hair. “Let me check your lip. There’s a clinic over there, let’s get you patched up p>

“No, it’s fine,” Garth mumbled, looking embarrassed.

She smiled, trying to coax him along. “You don’t want it to scar, do you p>

Truth was, a scratch like that would never scar, but she wanted to give him a little nudge.

Garth cared a lot about his looks. He hurried after her and sat quietly while the doctor treated his wound.

Afterwards, Garth looked up at her,

worry wrinkling his brow, “Aunt

Dorothea, I’m not going

a to be ugl right? I’m so handsome… If I get a scar, how will I ever find a wife p>

Dorothea just stared at him for a second. Where did he get that confidence? He was starting to remind her of Latham.

Thinking of Latham made her look up, and there he was—tall and sharp in his suit, leaning against a Maybach parked right behind her car.

He waved from across the street.

Dorothea took Garth’s hand and

crossed over. She could smell a faint trace of smoke on Latham’s coat, probably from a recent cigarette. She frowned, just barely, but Latham didn’t miss it.

“Let’s go. Who did this to you?” he asked, his tone matter-of-fact.

Garth puffed out his chest. “Uncle, Jim looked way worse than me. I didn’t lose!” Latham raised an eyebrow. “That’s something to brag about p>

He gave Garth a look. “You know, using your words is always better than using your fists. Haven’t you figured that out yet p>

The moment Dorothea saw Latham, an unexpected sense of relief washed over her.

With him around, she felt like everything would somehow work out.

Back in the office, Adelina was about to leave when Dorothea walked in again.

Adelina frowned. “Why are you

back? I told you to apologize to

and

Velum

refused of the school

décides to punish you don’t sax

warn you p>

Latham stepped forward, a slight smirk on his lips. “Garth, is this your teacher p>