“I’ll go with you,” Ste blurted out without even thinking.
“You should stay with Uncle. It’s not often you get to visit. My brothers are going with me anyway.”
Ste pressed her lips together, clearly uneasy about leaving those two alone, but Alessia kept insisting, and eventually she relented.
Only after watching the three of them get into the car did Ste and Justin finally head back into the academy.
<b>“</b>Come on, I just saw Mr. Dawson heading inside,” Justin said, knowing full well that Ste wouldn’t rest easy until she saw with her own eyes how disheveled Ileana looked.
“Mr. Dawson came too?” Ste asked as they walked toward the gym.
“Probably at Cole’s request. The Tate family’s nning tounch a new venture and they’re in talks with the Whitley Group. If Ileana pissed Cole off at a time like this, she’s basically digging her own grave.”
It was no secret how quickly Cole had expanded the Whitley Group’s reach in just two years he was nobody’s fool. Some people liked to think he was harmless, just because he yed the sweet puppy in front of Alessia, but they forgot that underneath it all, he was a wolf–and those who forgot that risked being devoured, bones and all.
Halfway to the gym, they didn’t see any sign of Cole, but instead spotted Mr. Dawson, trailed by a security guard carrying a frail–looking Ileana in his arms.
“Mr. Dawson, would it be alright if I had a word with Ileana?” Ste asked.
She’d visited the Tate family a few times before, so Mr. Dawson knew about her friendship with Alessia.
“Of course, Miss Laine,” he replied, giving the security guard a silent nod. The guard immediately stepped forward, holding Ileana steady.
Ste didn’t bother with any pretense. She grabbed Ileana’s chin and turned her face from side to side, clearly satisfied with how miserable she looked.
Ileana nced at her, eyes full of fear, but she was too weak to resist and could only let Ste do as she pleased.
“Ileana, you should count yourself lucky it’s me standing here right now and not
13.30
Queenie,” Ste said<b>, </b><b>patting </b>her cheek <b>with </b><b>a </b>hint <b>of </b><b>regret </b>in her voice
<b>She </b>let Ileana go and brushed her own hands <b>off </b><b>as </b><b>if </b><b>getting </b><b>rid </b><b>of </b>something unpleasant. When she turned back to Mr. Dawson, her face carried a perfectly innocent smile<b>. </b>
“Thank you, Mr. Dawson.”
Mr. Dawson bowed slightly, his own smile calm and imprable.
“Mr. Cole and Larkin have already left through the back entrance. Please let Miss Morton know that the security footage from the gym has been destroyed. <b>She </b>doesn’t need to worry.”
Ste nodded in satisfaction and stepped aside. Mr. Dawson wasted no time, <b>and </b>the three of them left the school grounds swiftly.
At the hospital, Alessia had some scans done. It turned out she’d only suffered a few scrapes and bruises–her skin was delicate, so it looked worse than it was, but she’d be fine. The news was enough to finally put everyone at ease.
Alessia’s phone chimed with a new message. She opened it, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
“I’ve had the ointment sent to your house. Dad doesn’t know a thing, so don’t worry. Starting tomorrow, Ileana won’t be bothering you anymore.”
Alessia understood what that meant–Cole was angry.
She let out a sigh. Looks like she’d have to do some serious damage control
tomorrow.
“Got your meds ready. Shall we head home?” Liam asked, holding up the pharmacy
bag.
“You two act like this is a matter of life and death. It’s just a couple of bruises,” Alessia said, unable to keep fromughing at how overprotective they were.
But she hadn’t counted on Karen and Brendan’s reaction being even more dramatic. When they came home that night with Ivan, the first thing they noticed was the dark bruise on Alessia’s arm.
his time, they
Their disappointment in Ileana had already given way to anger, ar took it out on Liam and Ethan, scolding them both for not protecting Alessia better
Even Zachary<b>, </b><b>for </b>once, <b>didn’t </b>take their side. He stared at Alessiss <b>time </b><b>and </b><b>only </b>rxed after <b>confirming </b><b>she </b><b>hadn’t </b><b>fractured </b><b>any </b>bones
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