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Chapter 260:

Sunlight glared in Jaxton’s eyes as he woke to the sneer plastered across Kellan Astley’s face. He realized he was surrounded by a swarm of Kretol University students, all whispering among themselves. Shame burned through Jaxton. He could feel every eye in the crowd laughing at his misfortune.

When the security guard leaned in, wanting to know how he ended up wet in the lake, Jaxton’s eyes darted to the pavilion across the bridge. He didn’t dare mention Amelia or Wyatt’s involvement in his fall. Offered help to get to the medical room, Jaxton turned it down flat. He only wanted to leave before things got any worse.

Pushing himself upright took effort. He staggered toward the campus gate, but someone stepped right into his way before he got far. The moment Kellan’s voice rang out with that familiar mocking edge, Jaxton’s jaw tightened, anger brewing in his chest.

The Astley family only managed a small business in Kretol. Long ago, before everything collapsed for the Morrisons, Kellan had never missed a chance to curry favor with Jaxton. Those days ended the moment the Morrisons lost everything. The thought that Amelia was the reason for all this deepened Jaxton’s resentment toward her.

But in the face of Kellan’s smirk and jeering words, Jaxton didn’t dare say anything sharp. Now that his family had fallen, he couldn’t afford to offend Kellan. Taking a shaky breath, Jaxton muttered, “Would you mind letting me pass p>

“Funny. Are you asking a favor from me, Mr. Morrison? You used to say a person should have the right attitude when they’re asking for help. Don’t you remember that p>

Kellan made a show of propping his foot on the railing beside him, looking as if he owned the spot.

Kellan’s smugness made Jaxton furious. “Kellan, that’s enough. You’re crossing the line p>

“Is this too much for you?” Kellan’s laughter rang out, sharp and cold, his voice full of mockery.

When his laughter faded, Kellan brushed his bangs aside to reveal a scar stretching across his forehead. “You remember how I got this, right, Mr. Morrison p>

The ugly scar drew Jaxton’s attention, and he stumbled for words. “I had too much to drink that night. I never meant for you to get hurt p>

𝗥𝗲а𝖽 𝗍h𝗲 𝗹𝘢𝗍𝖾s𝘁 t𝗋e𝗇dѕ 𝗈ո.с𝗼𝗆

Kellan’s eyes hardened with hatred at that.

Although the Astley family only owned a small business, Kellan was their only child, spoiled since childhood. Trying to climb the social ladder, Kellan’s parents had once pushed him to get close to Jaxton to get on the Morrison family’s good side. For the sake of the family business, Kellan often followed Jaxton around like a little sidekick.

One evening, at a crowded bar, Jaxton had gotten into a fight with a stranger. When Kellan tried to help, Jaxton smashed a bottle on his head. Alcohol had clouded Jaxton’s mind that night, so Kellan had convinced himself that Jaxton had mistaken him for someone else. But when he wanted to go to the hospital, Jaxton put a leg on the table and made him crawl under it to get through. Back then, Jaxton used the Astley family’s business as leverage, forcing Kellan to endure the humiliation.

Tonight felt like payback for Kellan, a moment years in the making. At first, the crowd’s sympathy leaned toward Jaxton; people disapproved of Kellan’s cruelty. But after learning what had happened, they didn’t feel bad for Jaxton at all.

May evenings still held a lingering bite, even as summer approached. With his wet clothes clinging to him, Jaxton shivered when a gust of wind blew by. Forced by Kellan’s threats, Jaxton found himself crawling under Kellan’s raised leg, shame burning across his cheeks. Laughter broke out from all corners.

When Jaxton tried to rise, Kellan stepped on his back, holding him down. Jaxton instinctively struggled, but after being in the water for so long, he had exhausted his last bit of strength. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t break free. With a bit of force, Kellan pressed Jaxton’s face against the ground.

“You’d better keep your distance from me from now on, or you’ll regret it,” he said in a cold voice.

After Kellan lifted his foot, Jaxton immediately scrambled up and dashed toward the school gate as if fleeing for his life.

When the crowd dispersed, Kellan strolled toward the bridge’s pavilion, his footsteps echoing on the path. Inside the pavilion, Amelia and Wyatt remained seated, having witnessed everything that had just happened to Jaxton. Neither of them had stepped in, wary of getting tangled in more drama.

The second Kellan entered the pavilion, a sharp stare caught him off guard, and he froze in his tracks. Not daring to look Wyatt in the eye, Kellan turned to Amelia, dipped his head, and thanked her in a sincere tone.

Amelia looked at him with confusion and asked, “Why are you thanking me p>

Message from Noa: Hope you have a great weekend dear readers. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (ɔO‿=)ɔ ♥