Chapter 133
Chapter 133
The four of them soon arrived at the library. Afraid that people would point fingers at Briar again and upset her, Ashton coazed her into the lounge You didn’t rest well at noon. Why not take another nap?” he suggested.
Briar chuckled. “I’m fine, Ashton.”
‘Is this guy being a little too careful? It’s not like I’m made of glass, she thought.
Ashton reached out to ruffle the soft hair on the top of the girl’s head, but didn’t insist. “Alright. Then pass the time with a game or something. We won’t get news from Uncle Thiago so soon anyway.”
‘She’s so well–behaved and sensible. How could anyone
want to go
after her?‘ Ashton thought.
Ashton even brought over a charging cable and naturally plugged Briar’s phone in.
Briar was slightly surprised. She didn’t expect Ashton to notice even such a tiny detail as her phone being low on battery.
So, she simply sat by the bed, charging her phone while playing on it.
Then, someone knocked on the door. Ashton called out offhandedly, “Come in,” and the door immediately swung open, with Frank poking half his head
inside.
Frank must’ve run all the way there. There was a sheen of sweat on his forehead. “Ashton, is Briar okay?”
Hearing Frank’s voice, Briar turned her head and replied, “I’m fine.”
Only then did Frank fully open the door and stride in. “Phew, good thing you’re okay. I heard you killed someone and got arrested? I was just about to find someone to bail you out.”
Briar smiled. “I didn’t kill anyone, but I did take another spin around the police station.”
sits
Frank immediately sensed there was a story behind this. He leaned in, full of interest. “Come on, tell me. Was it someone abusing their power? Then Ashton came like a hero to rescue the damsel in distress?”
Briar rolled her eyes. “Frank, you’re way too old for those teenage hero fantasies. Give it a rest.”
‘Seriously, what kind of cringey soap opera plot is this?‘ she thought.
Frank clicked his tongue. “Hey! What’s so unrealistic about what I said? If anyone else did it, it’d be cringe and fake. But if it’s Ashton? Smooth, classy, and perfectly executed.”
Ashton, off to the side, let out a low, ambiguous chuckle. It was unclear whether he agreed or was mocking him.
Frank had been used to Ashton’s sarcasm since they were kids. He was immune to it by now and kept chattering away, unbothered.
He continued to pester Briar, begging her to tell him what had really happened.
Finally worn down by Frank, Briar gave in and briefly recounted the entire process of her second trip to the police station.
Frank listened, both shocked and excited. “So basically, the solid surveillance footage and fingerprint evidence were all overturned. The whole thing was just a setup to lure you to the station and secretly kidnap you?” he summarized succinctly.
Briar nodded. “Yeah, that’s exactly how it looks right now.”
Frank said, “But why would they go this far? Kidnapping someone from a police station is too bold. No matter how clean the operation, traces would be left behind. And Ashton was there too. Weren’t they afraid he’d destroy them?”
Chapter 133
Frank’s expression grew serious as he turned to Ashton. “Ashton, someone’s trying to steal your girl!“.
Luring her in and then sneaking her away. That was a direct challenge to Ashton’s bottom line.
if a man couldn’t even protect his own girlfriend, that would be humiliating.
Ashton nodded. “Yeah, I know. I’ve already sent people to handle it.”
He wasn’t as kind as Thiago. Anyone who messed with him had to pay the price.
Briar was puzzled. Weren’t they just together the whole time? When did he give the order? She hadn’t even noticed.
Frank breathed a sigh of relief. “Good, that’s settled.”
“Oh right, I have good news for you!” he suddenly remembered the other reason he came.“The results from the campus king and queen elections are in. Guess who won this year at Shoneport University?”
Briar didn’t even hesitate. In the calmest tone possible, she said, “You and me.”
Frank was stunned. “Can’t you at least pretend to guess? You said it so fast. Have you considered my feelings? I ran over here excitedly the moment ! heard the news!”
Briar rolled her eyes. Frank picked this moment to bring up the voting. The result was obvious.
That little jester was soon back to pulling Briar into games, chattering non–stop. The lounge gradually filled with light–hearted energy. Although neither Briar nor Ashton was talkative, most of the time it was Frank monologuing, he still managed to blow away the silent storm in Briar’s chest.
Ashton watched the smile bloom on Briar’s face and couldn’t help but smile too. Sure enough, calling Frank over was the right move.
Briar might seem indifferent. However, being betrayed and having her own father fan the flames behind the scenes still hurt.
Just then, another knock came at the lounge door. This time, it was Brandon who entered. “Mr. Wade, something’s happened.”
Ashton stood up and turned to Briar and Frank. “You two keep playing. I’ll go check on it.”
Briar’s expression remained calm, but she had already guessed what was going on.
Frank had been assigned by Ashton to cheer up Briar, so he immediately shouted, “Help! Briar, save me! I’m cornered!”
Briar turned her focus back to the game and, with a few swift moves, rescued the cornered, fake–crying Frank. “There are four left at the tower. Let’s flank from both sides.”
“Got it,” Frank replied.
Outside the lounge, Ashton pulled over a chair and sat down. His stunning face was cold and sharp. As Brandon gave his report, the aura around him grew even more frigid. He began rolling up his sleeves as he asked, “Looks like we’ll need to clean out not just the pests outside, but within Shoneport University too.”
“Shoneport University’s crisis PR response was way too slow this time. The situation’s blown up. There are about two thousand parents outside demanding harsh punishment for the so–called killer student. But the whole story smells fishy.” Hamish was idly twirling a pen as he spoke casually, though his eyes were just as cold. “Some people must’ve forgotten how we once purged the underground rot in Shoneport.”
Unlike most spoiled rich heirs in Shoneport, Hamish wasn’t just into food and fun. During his time in the military unit, his aggression
him the title
of the most elite soldier, after which he was forced to study medicine to temper his violent tendencies. “Ashton, this opportunity’s falling right into our laps. You better not stop me this time.”
Ashton glanced at his itching–for–action friend. “I won’t stop you. Just find the mastermind. Do with them as you please. Don’t let them live.”
