Chapter 40 Wasn’t Here to Play Nice

Kyla’s face was full of panic, scared that Russell would tear Tilda apart with his sharp tongue.

“Wade…”

Blair looked at her pale, unconscious son lying in the hospital bed. In the end, her fear for him won over everything else. She barked out, “Howard, hurry! Go after your father–don’t let him do anything crazy!”

Howard, who was usually quick to move, froze for once.

The experience at the dealership when he wrongly accused Tilda had left a heavy weight in his heart.

Now, if he saw her again, Howard knew he couldn’t treat her so coldly as before. Deep down, there was guilt.

“Howard, what’s wrong with you? Go already.”

Seeing him hesitate, Blair urged again, thinking it was just because he hated Tilda.

But this wasn’t the time for grudges.

“Got it.”

Howard let out a small sigh and, despite himself, ran after Russell.

Still leaning against Blair’s arms, Kyla’s eyes flickered with a chilling gleam.

It wasn’t just Wade anymore…

Even Howard was starting to change.

It gave her a bad feeling.

When class ended, Tilda and Una went to the cafeteria together for lunch.

“Tilda, this drumstick’s for you!”

“Thanks!”

“And look–your favorite barbecue ribs.”

“Una, this one’s for you. I waited in line forever to grab one of those limited edition hot dogs. Smells good, right?”

“Oh, my God!”

Una’s eyes lit up as she stared at the hot dog in Tilda’s hands.

Una said, “It’s so nice that you don’t have to attend Professor Manning’s lectures. I always knew you could do it. I never doubted you, hehe!”

Tilda handed Una the hot dog. “Of course. I wouldn’t be a good best friend if I didn’t have at least this much skill.

“It’s just too bad I couldn’t beat the challenge. Sob. Tilda, if you keep getting better and better, I’m scared you won’t want to be friends with me anymore!”

Una’s face drooped into a silly, pitiful frown, and it wasn’t just a joke.

She had always known Tilda wasn’t ordinary–she had hidden her true brilliance deep inside, waiting to explode.

Now that she was shining for real, Una worried she’d never be able to catch up.

She feared becoming the kind of friend who wasn’t good enough to stay by Tilda’s side.

“You dummy. Just eat your hot dog. If you’re not good enough to be my best friend, then who is? In this whole world, it’s you. Always you. This is a forever promise. No matter how I change, I won’t forget it.”

Tilda flicked Una’s forehead playfully.

This silly girl, always stressing over nothing.

You’re my sunshine, my lifeline.

Without Una cheering me on at every step, standing with me against the world, I don’t know what I would’ve become…

Maybe, in this second chance at life, I would’ve fallen into ruin, sunk into darkness, or destroyed myself.

But the light that pulled me back from that pit was Una.

My best friend, the one I’ve sworn to treasure forever.

“Okay, okay, I was just joking. I know you love me best! And now that you’re amazing, you think you can just ditch me? Dream on! I’m gonna stick to you forever, and wait for you to carry me. You’ll marry a hot guy, and even beat Mark Zuckerberg! Wahahaha!”

Una stuck out her tongue, grabbed the hot dog, tore the wrapping open, and took a big bite. The flavor hit her like heaven.

Chewing happily, she gave Tilda a careful look and asked, “Tilda, when Wade came to see you nothing bad happened, right?”

“Nothing worth worrying about. Just a sore loser barking like a dog. I’m not letting it bother me.”

Tilda’s voice was calm, steady.

If anything… she should thank Wade.

He had ripped away the last illusion, showing her exactly what the Jensons were really like.

“That’s good…”

But just then, a voice rang out.

“Tilda! Get out here right now!”

Russell’s furious roar blasted through the cafeteria, shattering the buzz of chatter.

Every student froze, shocked.

There he was–still tall, broad-shouldered, sharp in a perfect suit, his presence filling the whole room.

“Holy crap, who’s that? He scared me half to death.”

“Wait, he looks familiar…”

“Isn’t that Russell Jenson, the chairman of the Jenson Group? I heard he’s one of the school’s sponsors!”

“No way! That’s a legend in the business world! I need a picture!”

“Did he just call Tilda’s name? She’s the Jensons‘ real daughter, right? The one missing for 19 years? But judging by Mr. Russell’s face, he looks furious…”

Even Una jumped in shock.

“Geez, he scared me to death.”

She pressed a hand to her pounding chest, then looked carefully. Her heart clenched.

“Tilda… isn’t that Mr. Russell?”

And from the storm in his walk, his presence, and his glare, it was obvious that he wasn’t here to play nice.