678 Chapter 677 Jake instinctively moved to shield Keira from the oncoming milk tea. But as soon as he stepped in front of her, someone yanked his arm, and the next thing he knew, Keira was the one standing in front of him.
Thud! Before the drink could reach her, Keira kicked it away. Still, since it was a liquid, sof it splashed out, landing on her arm.
Jake froze, then chuckled to himself.
He'd done it again-forgotten that Keira wasn't just any ordinary girl...
Most girls in a situation like this would look for protection, but Keira never needed that.
She was strong and confident.
Even back in college, she was often the subject of gossip, but she never cared.
She never punished herself for other people's mistakes.
Suddenly, Jake realized it wasn't that she was too strong; it was that he wasn't good enough, not worthy to stand in front of her.
For Keira, it was just about keeping things even. Business was business—she genuinely believed in Jake's potential. But personally? She didn't want anything more to do with him.
Keira felt a bit grossed out as the sticky liquid rolled down her arm. She had a mild case of OCD, so she immediately frowned and turned to look at the girl who had thrown the drink.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe culprit was a young woman, and she glared back at Keira with righteous indignation. The moment Keira looked at her, she yelled, "What're you looking at? Yeah, I threw it! If you've got guts, call the cops on me! Go ahead! My parents were scientists who died at the hands of foreign spies. I despise traitors more than anything!" The girl's eyes were bloodshot, and tears welled up as she spoke.
Nearby, others pulled out their phones, recording the scene.
"Serves you right for helping people you shouldn't. You deserve it! Don't worry, sweetie; if you go to the police, we'll all go with you! We're backing you up!" "What's she got to complain about? Even if she calls the cops, no one's gonna care, believe me!" The girl then addressed the crowd. "Thank you all for your support, but I'll take responsibility. I threw it, so if she calls the cops, they can arrest me. A few days in jail won't change my mind I still think she's trash!" "She doesn't even deserve milk tea! Next time, someone should throw something nastier at her!" "Garbage! A disgrace to society!" "Looks decent enough, but who knew she'd be such a lowlife!" In the middle of all the insults, Keira glanced at the girl who threw the tea. Even with everyone backing her up, the girl still looked like she'd go down fighting. Shaking off the milk tea from her arm, Keira took a deep breath and turned to walk away.
What good would calling the cops do? At most, they'd lock this poor girl up for a few days and give her a lecture...
Lowering her gaze, Keira spotted a nearby convenience store and walked in. She grabbed a pack of tissues and handed them to the cashier. "How much?" "Sorry, we don't sell to traitors." The cashier's voice was cold and flat.
Keira froze mid-scan, frowning. "Excuse me?" "I said we're not selling anything to you!" The cashier stared her down. "We may be a small business, but even I know better than to sell to traitors like you!" Keira clenched her jaw.
She frowned and said, "Aren't you worried I'll report you to customer protection?" "Go ahead! Even if they shut us down or revoke our business license, I'm still not selling to you!" The cashier sneered. "Anyone in bed with a traitor like that scumbag isn't any better. I may just be an ordinary citizen, but I know that a strong country is the only way to protect the life we enjoy. People like you don't deserve to live here!" Keira was stunned.
She'd heard that this generation was increasingly patriotic.
She knew it was something people had been talking about, but facing it firsthand? It was almost amusing.
Part of her admired their courage to stand up to what they saw as evil forces, and she appreciated their love for their country. If someone else were in her shoes, she might've even applauded them.
Keira pursed her lips and walked out of the store.
As she stepped outside, she heard a reporter nearby saying, "A concerned citizen just tipped us off that Miss Olsen, who supports a known traitor, was refused service when trying to buy tissues. This incident has stirred up strong patriotic feelings across the community. Let's interview the cashier and get their perspective." Keira paused, then walked on.
"Don't run, you traitor!" A group of people began following her, seemingly ready to take things further.
Keira frowned and picked up the pace.
She didn't want to get into a confrontation with ordinary people or hurt anyone, but her patience had its limits. If these people pushed her any further, she wouldn't just stand there and take it! Feeling the solid chest againstand inhaling the familiar scent, I froze. Lifting my gaze, I saw Ernest.
His face was stern, yet his eyes burned with intense concern as he looked at me.
I had no clue how he foundhere, but seeing him eased my fear instantly, makingforget that we had broken up. I clung to the hem of his shirt as if it were a lifeline.
He wrapped his arms around my waist, asking, "Are you hurt?" "No," I replied, just as a wave of crude insults burst from outside.
In the next moment, Ernest enveloped me, and it felt as though I was lifted off the ground, hearing only the sounds of kicks and punches landing.
It was like something out of a movie, happening right beside me.
Though it wasn't the first tI had seen Ernest stand up for someone, the way he was single-handedly taking down a group had never been witnessed bybefore.
True to his military background, his prowess was undeniable.
I couldn't help but recall what Conrad had mentioned before, about the leader of Club Q being targeted. I hadn't considered Ernest before, but seeing his overwhelming strength now made it a possibility. If it really was him, his future looked grim.
Before I could ponder further, Ernest had grounded the last of them and stood firm, holding me.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHe surveyed those writhing in pain on the ground with an icy voice, "Tell your boss to steer clear of my people."
Then, turning to Shirley, who stood at the doorway equally stunned, he saw her shudder in fear. Hastily, she shook her head, "I didn't mean to harm Felicia, l-I cto set her free." But if not for her, I wouldn't be here. Yet, at this moment, my thoughts weren't on blaming Shirley. Tightening my grip on Ernest's fingers, I said, "I want to leave this place." Ernest ledto his car, and as we approached, I still didn't let go of his hand.
I knew there was no danger now, but I didn't want to let go, knowing that once I did, there'd be no reason to hold on again.
Noticing my grip, Ernest forcibly pulled away and then gently placedinside his car.
His tender actions remindedof his past affection towards me.
I grabbed his withdrawing figure, unwilling to let go.
"Weren't you saying you wanted to leave?" His cool voice snappedback to reality.
He drove off without asking where I wanted to go, but I asked him, "Where are you taking me? And how did you find me?" He remained silent, makingthink but then he coldly said, matter to ignoreagain you not to dig into those His response made it clear he knew exactly why I had been taken.
I stared at the back of his head, "If I
don't look into it, will you? How much have you found out after all, this time? What have you told me? m Besides, you used to say that. because you were my boyfriend, but now you are nothing to me." My words made Ernest tighten his grip on the steering wheel, followed by a sharp retort, "And your investigation almost got you killed?" The words of Lord echoed in my ears. "I can't let the fear of death preventfrom seeking justice for my parents." Those words made Ernest clench his jaw.
I had forgotten, the real culprit behind my parents' demise was his father, the one who tampered with the brakes.
This topic was a painful thorn for both of us, but it couldn't be ignored just because it hurt.
Taking a deep breath, I pressed on, "Ernest, Lord mentioned bribing your father. want to want to know why your father would accept the bribe. Was it because your family needed money or something else?" X