Chapter 11 Don’t Expect Anything From Me
Jean ran straight into the bathroom.
Don’t ask her why she didn’t go back to class. She just happened to need to pee, okay?
By the time she returned to the classroom, the atmosphere had clearly shifted.
Deon’s seat was empty–he wasn’t there.
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And the rest of the class had lost their gossip–loving energy. Everyone sat with serious faces, quietly focused on their own
tasks.
What the heck was going on?
Jean
sat down, puzzled, when the back of her shoulder got poked with a pen again.
turned around-
Sofia had leaned in. The girl might be a top student, but she was just as into gossip. She lowered her voice, speaking like she was sharing state secrets. “Guess who just showed up?”
“Who? Some celebrity filming a variety show at our school““Jean guessed wildly. With the way Sofia was actin someone huge.
Sofia:…
it had to be
“It was Dominic She enunciated each word clearly. “You know, the Ginger family, The most powerful name in Blairford
Dominic?
Jean blinked in surprise.
Her lovely discounted older brother, what was he doing at school?
“Deon and his mom got the shock of their lives.” Sofia spoke like was just another Tuesday, clearly unmoved by Deon’s humiliation. Then her expression shifted, and she added with a hint of lingering fear, “Dominic is seriously scary. Do you know what he said?”
“What?” Jean asked flatly.
“He said—” Sofia tried to mimic Dominic’s tone and posture, “Winter’s coming. Looks like it’s time for the Mills family to go bankrupt.*
“PAL”
Jean was lucky she didn’t have water in h
her mouth or she would’ve spit it all over the desk.
Wasn’t that the classic CEO novel line? The legendary “Winter has come. You’re finished.”
She could guess Dominic had shown up to stand up for her.
Butan that method
Thank god she ran fast. Watching it go down in person might’ve been too much secondhand embarrassinent to handle.
Dominir had gone to Stellarford Academy for jean, yes.
But the girl had bolted before he could even speak to her, because….
7.39 PM c
Chapter 11 Don’t Expect Anything From Me
The high school basketball court.
A few boys lounged around the edge of the court. Winston sat alone on the far end of a wooden bench.
He popped open a bottle of cold water and took a long, effortless swig, wild and elegant all at once.
Beads of water slid down the corner of his mouth like dew clinging to a flower–bright, pure, mesmerizing.
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“So, Rylan walked over with his own bottle, hand landing lightly on Winston’s shoulder. He gave a half–smile. “That little girl yesterday, she’s really your sister?”
Winston didn’t reply. He just kept drinking his water in silence.
Once he finished, he gave a faint nod..
“No wonder you didn’t flip out…” Rylan looked thoughtful. With how that girl had clung to Winston yesterday, anyone else would’ve been shut down hard. But Winston let it slide.
So she was his sister….
Rylan had known Winston f
for years.
but only found out about the sister recently.
After all, Winston treated family like strangers–cold, distant, even hostile.
He avoided them. Never talked to them. And he never mentioned them either.
Everyone knew about Winston’s four famous older brothers. But this sister? You’d never know she existed unless someone told you.
“But,” Rylan tilted his head, unable to hold back, “I thought you hated your whole family. Yesterday, you really didn’t act like it… Is she different?”
Winston’s cold gaze flickered slightly.
His fingers tightened around the water bottle, crushing it in his hand until it warped and twisted.
Rylan immediately shut his mouth.
He’d known Winston long enough to read the signs–and right now, Winston was bristling like a hedgehog, all prickles and inalice,
Still, he didn’t really get it
Winston wasn’t even looking at him. His focus was locked on the far side of the basketball court.
Rylan followed his gaze-
And saw a tall man in a suit standing there. Cold, imposing, with the same sharp features as Winston.
Their eyes met across the court.
One standing, one suting. Neither blinking.
That guy Rylan’s voice came out barely above a whisper.
Dominic and Winston walked, one in front of the other, into the small wooded area beside the court
The white haired teenager had both hands in his pockets. His face was cool and expressionless, “Well, this is rare What are you doing here?
few inches taller. He looked down at hijs brother, his
seyes thoughtful as
he finally sail.“You never answer calls
7:40 PM ₫
Chapter 11 Don’t Expect Anything From Ma
Used to him being cold. Used to him avoiding everything.
Dominic’s fingers tightened slightly.
If he hadn’t heard Jean’s thoughts, he never would’ve made this much effort to see Winston in person.
This rebellious, ruthless, distant brother… was not someone Dominic was good at dealing with.
He tried to sound approachable. “You know, you could come home once in a while.”
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Winston’s smile deepened–sharp and mocking, like cold petals catching the light just before they cut. “You’re kidding, right, Dominic! Don’t act like you care. It’s better for everyone if we stay out of each other’s lives,”
Dominic’s eyes darkened, but he didn’t lose his temper.
“But yesterday, you helped Jean,” he said calmly, simply stating a fact. “Looks like you’re not completely heartless after all.”
as just for fun.”
Winston’s eyes narrowed. His face turned to ice. “That was just
“Don’t expect anything from me, Dominic. Nor you. Not Jean. I don’t want
The white–haired boy’s lips curled as he delivered the final blow, “-either of you anywhere near me.”
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