(Live with a system) Chapter 12
It was his grandfather, a retired general, his guardian. The stern old man stond at the door, Aurfour.
Even facing his grandfather, Mark was expressionless/
“Grandpa, what are you doing here?”
His grandfather’s face hardened. He slammed his cane on the ground/If I hadn’t gone to school, 1 youldn’t know what you’ve done!”
Mark was silent
“Where’s Riley? Do you know?”
Mark remained silent. His grandfather, usually stole, was furious. He had always dowed on Mark but Mark really let him down this time.
He slapped Mark across the face.
“You brat! Riley was so nice to you! I always wondered why she didn’t come to see me. So it was all because of you! What were you thinking?! Riley grew up with you! She can’t possibly bully anyone!”
Mark wiped the blood from his lip. His grandfather turned to leave,
“Pack your stuff. You’re going to military school in the Northwest. Don’t come back until you’ve learned your lesson!”
The days
grew
longer. Walking, Mark remembered
remembered Riley loved
summer
He asked why, since it was hot. Riley’s eyes sparkled “Because the nights are short in summer… She was afraid of the dark, but she was like a light to everyone.
Mark found himself at Riley’s old apartment. He’d been there many times, but never gone inside, He saw Chase and Ethan.
Chase stood at the entrance. Ethan was yelling at a bodyguard,
“You lost her? What else can you do?! Why would I even hire you?!”
Chase frowned.“Ethan, my men are looking for her, too, Let’s just wait.” Ethan sneered.“Who are you to tell me what to do? You think I don’t know you’re her biggest bully?”
Chase’s face changed, and then he smiled mockingly.“What did you do then? Ethan raised his fist to hit Chase, but Mark stopped him.
“Ethan, calm down. Chase was just too anxious.”
Chase sneered.“Mark, why are you acting like the good guy? You told those thugs to deal with Riley! If I’d arrived later…”
Mark gritted his teeth.“And you call yourself his fiancé?”
Mark punched Chase, who immediately fought back. Ethan joined in. The fight ended when a
cabinet fell.
“Clang!”
Ct with a system! Chapter 12
They stopped, panting, glaring at each other. Mark was less injured than Chase and Ethan He admitted it was personal.
He helped lift the cabinet. A photo album caught his eye. It contained pictures of Riley, from childhood to high school. She must have left it behind.
“It’s Riley’s…”
Ethan came over, then gasped. It was a photo of 10–year–old Riley with a dog. She was smiling brightly. Chase didn’t know what to say when he saw it.
Mark asked hoarsely, “Do you think Riley really bullied Chloe?”
Mark left. He wouldn’t come back. He’d be Riley and didn’t deserve to see her. But he would still think about her in the Northwest.
9
