Chapter 88: I can smell trouble from a mile away
Then suddenly, Anna let out a low chuckle. "You’re still debating this? Fine. If that’s how you want to play, then fine."
With a sigh, she slipped her phone from her pocket and turned the screen toward Maxwell.
The room stilled as the video began to play.
Theo’s voice rang loud and clear as he cornered Betty, threatening her for refusing to do his assignment. The mocking laughter of his friends filled the office, undeniable and damning.
Maxwell’s eyes widened, while Theo and the other boys froze in shock.
Anna smirked, a wicked glint flashing in her eyes. She had sensed trouble the moment she saw Theo and his gang approaching Betty. And rather than jump in blindly, she had pulled out her phone and recorded everything—proof of their bullying before she decided to step in.
Despite Betty’s insistence that she could handle herself, Anna knew better. Bullying didn’t vanish overnight—it rotted deeper, festering in shadows until someone dragged it into the light.
"W-when did you—" Theo stammered, panic rushing through him as his gaze darted to Anna. He had underestimated her completely. Behind that soft face and chubby figure was a mind far sharper than he’d ever imagined.
Maxwell’s throat worked as he swallowed, eyes darting from the screen to Anna.
"I suppose," Anna said smoothly, her voice laced with venom, "that the girls you expelled yesterday were also handled quietly, before the truth spread beyond these walls. But what about this, Principal Maxwell?"
She leaned forward, her tone razor-sharp. "One click—and this video spreads across the internet. Your carefully polished reputation, your precious academy... gone in an instant. Parents won’t be lining up to enroll their children here—they’ll be dragging them out."
Maxwell’s lips quivered. He had been caught. He remembered too well how, just days ago, when parents stormed in with reports of Mary and Jane bullying their daughter, he had convinced them to stay silent. He’d expelled the girls quickly, not for justice, but to smother the scandal.
But this—this was different. This was his son caught in the act, with proof no denial could erase.
His face twisted, rage and desperation colliding. "Theo! Apologize to Betty!"
The command rang through the office, startling both Theo and Betty.
Anna leaned back in her chair leisurely, one leg crossed over the other like a queen watching her opponent crumble. "I don’t think he heard you properly, Principal Maxwell."
Her eyes flicked from father to son, her smile razor-sharp.
Maxwell, red-faced and trembling, shot to his feet. He grabbed Theo by the arm, yanked him forward, and with a sharp kick to the back of his legs, forced him down to his knees in front of Betty.
"Apologize!" Maxwell barked.
Theo’s jaw tightened, but under his father’s glare and Anna’s watchful smirk, he finally lowered his head.
"I’m... sorry," he muttered through clenched teeth.
Maxwell’s face twisted as he shot a glare at the rest of the boys. One by one, they shuffled forward, bowing their heads.
"We’re sorry, Betty."
"Yes... Betty, we’re sorry."
Even Maxwell finally lowered his pride, forcing out a stiff, "I apologize as well."
Betty stood frozen, staring at the sight in front of her with wide, disbelieving eyes.
[Outside the Principal’s Office]
"I think Theo will think a hundred times before crossing paths with you now," Anna remarked, walking ahead. But when she noticed Betty hadn’t followed, she stopped and turned.
Tears glistened in Betty’s eyes.
"Big Sis, you’re great!" she blurted, thrusting a trembling thumbs-up into the air.
Anna’s lips twitched. Luckily, the corridor was empty, sparing her the humiliation of being cheered on like some hero. But when Betty continued to beam and clap like a child at a fair, Anna couldn’t help but chuckle.
"Alright, enough. You’re making me self-conscious," she muttered, resuming her pace. Betty hurried after her, still grinning.
By the time they stepped out of the building, Betty felt lighter, her shoulders no longer weighed down.
"Big Sis," she asked curiously, "how did you even know something was wrong? I thought you left after I went back to class."
Anna glanced at her. "I would’ve. But then I noticed Theo and his friends heading your way." Her voice lowered, her eyes darkening slightly. "I can smell trouble from a mile away... since I’ve been there before."
Her last words slipped out in a whisper, tinged with embarrassment.
Betty’s eyes widened. "Big Sis... were you bullied too?"
Anna’s lips twitched. She scratched the back of her neck awkwardly. "It was a long time ago. H-ha... ancient history."
But her smile faltered. She quickly looked away, masking it.
"Anyway," she said briskly, "from now on, make sure you carry some kind of backup. Pepper spray, a cutter—anything. If someone corners you, don’t hesitate."
Betty’s admiration only grew. "Okay, Sis. I’ll do everything you say."
Anna managed a small smile. At least for now, Theo and his gang would back off. But she knew too well—bullying only grew worse if not kept in check.
As they crossed the academy gates, Anna suddenly stopped in her tracks. Her eyes narrowed.
"...What is he doing here?" she muttered.
Betty followed her gaze. A man in a crisp black suit was walking toward them, polished shoes tapping against the pavement.
"Woah," Betty gasped. "Who’s this movie-star bodyguard?"
But Anna’s eyes didn’t linger on Henry. They flicked past him, to the sleek car waiting at the curb. The tinted window revealed the silhouette of the man inside—and Anna’s heart sank.
Betty followed her line of sight. Her jaw dropped. "Big Sis, your husb—!" She slapped a hand over her own mouth before she could scream the word out loud.
Henry stopped in front of them, his voice respectful. "Madam, Boss is waiting for you inside." His gaze shifted politely to Betty. "And Miss Betty, I’ll be taking you home."
Betty blinked, staring at him as though she’d stepped into a drama scene. She’d only ever seen men like him in movies—sharp, intimidating, untouchable.
"Shall we?" Henry prompted with a faint smile, breaking her trance.
Betty nodded frantically, still gaping.
Anna’s face hardened, but when she turned to Betty, her gaze softened. "Betty, go with Henry. He’ll drop you home."
Betty nodded, though her eyes lingered worriedly on her sister as Anna strode toward the waiting car.
The door opened, and she slipped inside. The vehicle pulled away smoothly, leaving Betty standing with Henry.
Betty glanced up at him, nerves fluttering, then blurted, "Mister... can I have a photo with you?"
"..."
***
A thick silence hung inside the car, suffocating. Anna kept sneaking glances at Daniel, who sat beside her like a storm contained, his gaze fixed straight ahead, his jaw locked tight.
His sudden appearance wasn’t a coincidence—she knew that much. But his silence... that was worse. It was heavy, seething, making the space between them unbearably tense.
"You’re bold enough to stalk me openly now?" Anna muttered at last, breaking the ice.
Daniel didn’t answer.
The quiet stretched until it pressed against her chest. Then, without warning, he pulled out his phone, tapped the screen, and played a video.
Anna’s eyes widened as the familiar scene unfolded—the fight outside the academy. Her own fists, her own reckless fury, Theo and his gang sprawled like beaten dogs.
"H-how did you—" Her words stumbled, her heart racing. How does he have the fight’s video?
Daniel clicked his tongue. "My wife, just one step away from going viral." His voice was sharp, cutting. "If I hadn’t taken it down in time, your parents would have already seen it."
Anna blinked, stunned. It had never even crossed her mind that someone might have recorded the fight, let alone spread it online.
Her lips pressed together as she sneaked another look at him. For the first time, she realized the true weight behind his silence.
He took it down... to keep it from reaching my parents.
Her chest tightened with a confusing mix of emotions. She had never expected Daniel to step in for her, never imagined he would protect her like this. But hadn’t he been doing it all along?
Feeding her when she was too weak, watching over her in silence, tending to her even when she fought him at every turn.
This Daniel wasn’t the one she remembered from the past. He was different—and that difference unsettled her more than his anger.
"I-I didn’t know someone would record it, I just—" She cut herself short when he turned to her, his eyes flashing with barely restrained fury.
Her throat went dry. She knew she had been reckless. But how could she stand still while Betty was being humiliated?
Lowering her gaze, she fidgeted with her fingers, unable to meet his eyes. "I-I’m sorry," she whispered.
The words had barely left her lips when a strong arm wrapped around her waist.
Anna gasped as her body lifted off the seat, and in the next breath, she found herself perched on Daniel’s lap, his arm caging her in place.
"..."
Her heart thudded violently, her breath caught between her lips as his scent, his warmth, and his quiet fury enveloped her all at once.