Chapter 21 The Courage Within
I’m off to see Lilly, I lied nonchalantly.
Upon reaching the parking lot of the Crescent Hotel at midnight, I found Harper injured.
Three burly men were puffing on cigarettes. Spotting me, they broke into laughter. “Kid, is she your backup? A woman?”
“Did you bring her to sleep with us as payment?” Another man added, his words laced with vulgarity.
I approached Harper and helped him to his feet. He was bruised, his face swollen from the beating. He was barely recognizable, and he looked mortified.
“Ramona, I accidentally scratched their car while working part–time here. I offered to pay for the damages, but they demanded 100 thousand. I don’t have that kind of money…” Harper explained.
“What car? Show me,” I demanded.
Harper pointed to a white Tiguan.
I couldn’t help but frown. The car was worth around 200 thousand, yet they wanted Harper to pay half its value for a mere scratch.
“So, sweetheart, have you figured out how to compensate us?”
“You can sleep with us!”
Hearing their crude remarks, Harper stood up and pointed at them angrily. “Shut your mouths!”
I was taken aback. Are all college students this bold?
I had assumed he would hide behind me, waiting for me to resolve the situation.
Harper’s display of courage seemed to incense the men. I quickly intervened, ‘Give me three minutes.”
I then made a call.
This was the Crescent Hotel’s territory, and Harper was their part–time employee. The hotel management should have stepped in to defuse the situation, but no one had shown up yet.
“Calling for backup? Sweetheart, we’re well–known in Amurica. Many people know me, Diego! If you call ten people, I’ll call a hundred!” One of the men boasted. Unfortunately, I had no idea who he was.
They were nothing more than social parasites. I ended the call and smiled.
In less than three minutes, the general manager of Crescent Hotel appeared before me, greeting me politely, “Ms. Xander, what brings you here?”
“My friend works part–time at your hotel and was assaulted by these men. Do you know what to do? I asked calmly.
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men.
Who dares to bully your friend?” The general manager immediately turned to face the three
The men seemed taken aback. The Crescent Hotel was a five–star establishment, one of the largest in Amurica. They now realized they couldn’t afford to offend me.
Sometimes, power was easy to wield. Even the most arrogant had to bow their heads.
The men who were so aggressive earlier didn’t even know who I was, but they apologized respectfully and compensated Harper for his medical expenses.
As they were about to leave, I stopped them. “Hold on!”
I turned to Harper and said, “Go slap them.”
“Ramona… Harper was taken aback. There was a hint of fear and hesitation in his eyes. He was content with the compensation and had no intention of retaliating.
“What are you
scared of?” I grabbed Harper and positioned him in front of the men. “Watch and learn!”
With that, I slapped the men. They looked furious but didn’t dare to retaliate.
“Get lost.” My palms were tingling, and I dismissed the men impatiently.
The parking lot quickly returned to its peaceful state. The general manager invited me for tea, but I declined. I had no interest in sharing a midnight tea with a stranger.
Harper was still in shock. From the moment I struck the men, he seemed to be in a daze.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you to the hospital.” I took Harper’s hand and led him out of the parking lot towards
my car.
“Ramona, I can go by myself?” Harper protested.
“Don’t argue.” I shot him a stern look.
On the way to the hospital, Harper and I chatted. His father had broken his foot a few days ago and was hospitalized. Harper had taken up the part–time job to pay for his university tuition.
He had called me for help because he believed I could assist him.
I suddenly understood why Violet had gradually fallen for Henry in her previous life. Henry had resolved her problems effortlessly. Anyone would be touched by such a gesture.
We can’t choose our origins, but we can choose shortcuts.
After getting Harper’s wounds treated at the hospital, I returned home, exhausted.
Henry was asleep. After a shower, I slipped under the covers, ready for a good night’s sleep.
“Did you have fun?” Henry asked suddenly, his voice hoarse,
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your parents leave.
“Ramona, don’t test my patience. Henry sounded irritated.
“What’s the matter?” I was too sleepy to decipher his words.
“My parents are at Maple Estate. How dare you go out? Are you asking for trouble?” Henry turned to face me, his eyes blazing with anger.
I stared at him for a few seconds, suddenly feeling guilty. Had he found out that I hadn’t gone to see Lilly?*
Henry had been indulgent and restrained for the past two days. But I had been more audacious, supporting a male college student at midnight and even accompanying him to the hospital.
“Alright, I get it. I won’t go out when your parents are here. I’ll be more careful next time. I conceded.
I was about to drift off to sleep when Henry rolled over and pinned me down. His muscles rippled attractively as he exerted his strength.
Isnapped awake, sensing something was off.
“Are you drugged?” I recalled the last time he had teased me and quickly composed myself. “Do you know who I am?”
Henry was far from innocent, given his scandalous reputation.
The anger in his eyes seemed to shift. He started toying with the straps of my pajamas.
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12:16 Sat, Aug 17
Became His True Love after Rebirth
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