Chapter 101
Chapter 101
“You…” Janet glanced at Mason, her finger pointing directly at his nose. “You have a nosebleed.”
Mason touched his nose in surprise and, true enough, his fingertips came away damp. Janet facepalmed, letting out a helpless sigh. “Sit down. I’ll help you stop the bleeding.” She guided him to a chair and leaned over him, her focus entirely on the task at hand.
From his angle, Mason had a perfect view of her sharp, beautiful features. The longer he stared, the warmer he felt—a heat that had nothing to do with the room's temperature. Janet noticed the flush in his face and stepped back.
“You’d better take a cold shower,” she urged, placing a small jar of ointment on the table. “Take this with you. Apply it once a day, and for heaven’s sake, avoid spicy foods for a while.”
As she settled back into a book, Mason’s phone began to ring. He answered it right there beside her. “Yeah, I’m skipping the office tomorrow. I’m heading to the stone-betting market with Henry. Old Man Wells mentioned some fresh stocks just arrived.”
Janet paused, her finger hovering over the page. She had been so preoccupied lately that she’d forgotten she needed to procure a high-quality crystal jade for herself. She could still vividly recall the unique energetic hum of the gemstone she had bought for Old Madam Lowry.
After Mason hung up, she asked softly, “Are you going to the stone-betting market?”
He nodded, watching her closely. “Are you interested in stones?”
Janet considered her answer carefully. “Do you remember that piece of jade I got for your grandmother? I liked the feel of it. I think I might have... natural instincts for these things.”
I can’t exactly tell him the truth, she thought. That I was so successful I ended up blacklisted by every major stone-betting market back in Markovia.
Mason’s lips curled into a loving, knowing smile. “Sure. I’ll pick you up after school tomorrow.” It was perfect; he had been looking for any excuse to spend more time with the young lady.
The next day at Star High, Janet found the atmosphere significantly lighter. Thanks to the fallout from the recent Reddit post, the students were treating her with newfound respect. She felt more relaxed—until she headed toward the washroom and heard a familiar, frustrated voice.
“I’ve noticed you following Janet every single day. What are you, her shadow?”
It was Madelaine. Abby retorted angrily, “I like Janet. Is that any of your business? Why don't you be a good dog and go back to Emily?”
Janet paused at the entrance, leaning back to observe. Abby was confronting Madelaine and a few female hooligans from Class F—girls known more for their fighting than their grades. Seeing Abby standing up for her so fiercely, Janet saw no reason to stay in the wings.
Madelaine folded her arms, snorting in disdain. “How dare you mention Emily! It’s Janet’s fault everyone is finding fault with her. Emily is too kind to retaliate, but I’m not. I’m here to teach Janet’s little shadow a lesson.”
Abby, usually so soft-spoken and adorable, looked surprisingly vicious. “You’re spouting nonsense! Emily is just getting her karma. Nobody forced her to accuse Janet!”
“You’re shameless, Abby,” Madelaine sneered. “You look like a guard dog protecting its master.”
Abby’s face flushed deep red. Outside, Janet’s eyes narrowed into intimidating slits. With her hands shoved casually in her pockets, she barged into the washroom and immediately yanked Madelaine back by her hair.
“Tell me—who is the dog? And who exactly is the master?”
Madelaine and the Class F girls froze. None of them had expected the "violent woman" herself to appear. Janet’s reputation preceded her; when she started a fight, it usually ended in an ambulance.
“Let... let go of me!” Madelaine thrashed, but Janet’s grip was like iron.
The Class F hooligans moved forward to intervene, but Janet tightened her hold, causing Madelaine to shriek in pain. Janet’s red lips parted slowly, her voice sending a bone-chilling shiver through the room.
“Whoever takes another step will end up just like her.”
The hooligans instantly retreated. They remembered Jennifer—the girl Janet had beaten so badly she’d been forced to drop out of school. They weren't interested in being next.
Madelaine stared at her supposed "backup" in stunned silence. Weren't these girls supposed to be the toughest in school? Why are they scared witless just by looking at her?