Chapter 19
After finishing his business, General stomped his paw on the ground and barked defiantly at Samuel. Then, he turned to Lillian, stuck out his tiny pink tongue, and grinned.
Samuel held a handkerchief, his hand frozen mid–air. His head was bowed slightly, hiding his expression. All that was visible was the handkerchief slowly being kneaded, veins standing out on the back of his hand. Slowly, he lifted his face to look at Lillian..
Lillian, who had been watching everything, looked up at him. Surprisingly, their actions synced perfectly.
Lillian glanced at Samuel’s face, which was darkening with anger, and almost dropped the pierogi in her hand. The silence between them was palpable, the tension rising.
At the small square table, Lillian sat across from Jesse, with Samuel to her left, already quite close. He leaned in slightly. narrowing the gap between them.
Lillian could see the real threat in his eyes. If it weren’t for Jesse, she was sure he would have stomped General to death and thrown the pierogi right in her face.
They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity. Finally, Lillian blinked, shifted her gaze, and pretended nothing was happening as she took a bite of her pierogi.
Samuel’s gaze remained fixed on her. Lillian kept her eyes forward, chewing. Why does the dog’s behavior reflect poorly on me? Ugh, how embarrassing!
Luke was stunned. Mr. Lewis got d
dirty. This foot… is he still wanting it?
Samuel’s glare didn’t waver. His anger surged, aggravating his old injuries and twisting his tense face with pain.
“We’re even now.” Lillian broke the silence, her voice lacking confidence.
Samuel’s knuckles cracked as he slammed the handkerchief onto the table. He glared at Lillian’s calm face, his teeth nearly grinding together. “Jesse, let’s go home!”
Jesse was completely puzzled by the tension, wondering why they were staring at each other. Before he could process it, he was lifted away.
General barked proudly at the departing car. When he caught Lillian watching him, he promptly returned to her, sat obediently, and looked up with a smug “praise me” expression
Lillian looked at General and hesitantly said, “You… did well.”
Luke nervously drove the car, stealing furtive glances at the rearview mirror, thinking he was being subtle.
Suddenly, Samuel’s voice broke the silence. “If you have something 16 say, just say it.”
Luke was taken aback and quickly diverted his gaze from the rearview mirror. “N–no, nothing,” he stammered, glancing at the mirror again, only to meet Samuel’s sharp gaze.
Scared, Luke blurted out in one breath, “I’ve checked it turns ou Lillian was washing her dog at the pet store across from the go to the bar to celebrate a classmate’s birthday on a whim” bar and Eugene only decided to
But fair was fair. He figured if it really was Lillian who happened to find the missing Jesse, then they couldn’t wrongly accuse her.
“Dare to mention that dog Samuel snapped, “Shut up.”
13
12:48 Tue, Dec 31 ZI
Chapter 19
Luke felt wronged. Tsaid had nothing to say, but you made metalk
Just then, Jesse wrinkled his little nose like he smelled something unpleasant and, looking adorably confused, said, “Stinks”
Instantly, Samuel’s face darkened.
The next day at the hospital, poor Eugene lay in bed, feeling completely down.
Samuel, although he was furious earlier, had managed to hold back and didn’t kick Eugene hard enough to cause serious damage
As for Lillian’s kick, it’s hard to say whether she held back or not but it actually fractured one of Eugene’s bones, leading him straight to the hospital.
Looking at Jesse’s guilty face on his phone, the injured Eugene had to reassure him instead. “It’s not your fault. I’m fine; it doesn’t hurt as much anymore
Suddenly, a tall figure pushed the door open and asked, “How did you get hurt?”
“You got here fast–can you fly or something?” Eugene blinked in surprise at Edward Compton, who had just appeared by his bedside, looking a little out of breath.
They had just talked on the phone half an hour ago. No way Edward could have gotten there this quickly from school or his place.
Edward ignored the comment and asked again, “How did you get hurt?”
“Hold on a sec,” Eugene replied, then turned to Jesse on his phone. “I’ll be back in a few days, so don’t worry. Love ya, bye!”
After hanging up, Eugene finally complained to Edward, “I was going to bring Jesse to see you yesterday, but I lost track of him.”
Edward’s expression darkened. “Did Samuel hit you?”
“He just kicked me once, and it’s. Hey, where are you going?” Eugene asked as Edward turned to leave.
I’m going to Samuel.” Edward didn’t
‘t even glance back as he walked out.
“Are you crazy?” Forgetting his pain, Eugene sat up abruptly, wining as sharp pain shot through him.
“Don’t move!” Hearing the noise, Edward quickly turned back and rushed to the side of the bed. “How are you feeling?”
Eugene seized the chance to grab Edward’s arm. “Go to Samuel Are you trying to get yourself killed? Ouch He paled from the pain and broke out in a cold sweat.
Edward took a deep breath. “Lie back down.”
Eugene leaned on Edward’s ann and slowly lowered himself back onto the bed. It took him a while to catch his breath
After a while, he said, “I lost Jesse, and honestly, it’s a miracle Samuel didn’t break both my legs. I’m not complaining, so why are you angry?”
Edward lifted his shirt, revealing a bruised stomach from the hard kicks Samuel had delivered.
“Hey, I’m fine. You know me. I’ve been tough since I was a kid. Centing hit is nothing new. One time, my dad even broke a stick on me, and I still bounced right back,” Eugene grinned.
12:48 Tue, Dec 31 0 ti
Chapter 19
73:
Edward stared at Eugene for a moment without saying anything Just as he was about to cover Eugene up again, he noticed. the discolored skin peeking out beneath Eugene’s shirt.
Before Engene could pull his shirt down, Edward lifted it a little higher–the bruising on Eugene’s chest looked worse than the one on his stomach. “What’s up with these bruises?” Edward asked.
Eugene quickly pulled his shirt down and covered himself with the blanket. I ran into a woman who thought I was a kidnapper and kicked me.
Edward watched in silence, and Eugene forced a smile. Stop giving me that look. I’m as shocked as you are. It’s like Murphy’s Law–when you have bad luck, even drinking cold water can backfire.”
“But at least we found fesse safe and sound. Otherwise, you’d never see me again and maybe our team hasn’t even made it to the international tournament yet; we would have had to disband,” Eugene chuckled, keeping it light.
“The guru still hasn’t accepted my friend request, and I’ve never even met him in person. If I die like this, I’ll definitely become a vengeful ghost,” he added, laughing with Edward. “If turn into a ghost, I’ll haunt you every day”
Edward glanced at him, staying silent.
Eugene then asked. “You looked so determined to find Samuel. Did you really think you can take him on?”
“Why wouldn’t ” Edward replied, completely serious.
Eugene felt lucky he had stopped Edward earlier. Otherwise, Edward might end up in a hospital too. You really don’t know how tough he is.”
Eugene did have a fear of Samuel, but more than that, he admired and respected him. In his mind, there was no one who matched Samuel’s skills.
He turned to Edward, teasing playfully, “You think you can take on Samuel? Or are you planning to call your gangster dad in Southeast Aras for-
Edward’s face suddenly turned cold
Realizing he had gone too far. Eugene quickly paused and tried to apologize. “Edgar, I…”
Edward didn’t say a word. He turned away and sat on the sofa, quietly grabbing an apple from the fruit basket to peel
ya
“Uh, Edgar Eugene hesitated.
Edward kept peeling the apple, silent.
Eugene beamed. “I want a pear.”
Edward paused, closed his eyes for a second, and then put down the half–peeled apple and grabbed a pear instead.
