Chapter 17
Scarman was sprawled on the ground, sweating and trembling, begging for mercy.
“Sir, it was her… she’s the one who came onto us.”
“If you like her, just take her. She’s yours now.”
Came onto them…
Charlotte felt a chill run straight through her, like someone had poured ice water over her head. Her eyes slowly drifted to Anthony.
He didn’t say a word, but the look on his face only grew darker. He pressed his shoe even harder into Scarman’s hand.
Scarman’s face twisted with pain. “Sir, it was me… I was the one trying to mess with her. I’m sorry, I swear I’ll never do it again. Please, just let me go.”
“Oh? Picking on a kid? That’s even worse.”
“Yes, yes, I know, I deserve it!” Scarman nodded frantically. “Sir, please, just forgive me-ah!”
Anthony calmly pressed the burning end of his cigarette onto the back of Scarman’s hand. His voice was low and icy. “Forgiveness is for God. I’m just here to send you to Him.”
Scarman let out a scream. He glanced up and saw a few men walking over, each holding a baseball bat. They dragged him and his buddies into the alley. The sound of their begging faded until it was barely a whisper.
“Anthony.” Hans stepped forward, offering him a disinfectant wipe.
Anthony wiped his hands, the coldness in his eyes melting a little as he looked at Charlotte. “We’ll clean things up after we leave.”
Hans hesitated for a second. Was Anthony worried about scaring the girl? That didn’t seem like him. Maybe it was because she’d saved Patricia. That had to be it.
Anthony tossed the wipe in the trash, then walked over to Charlotte. He gave her a lazy smile. “Are you hurt?”
Charlotte shook her head.
“Come on. I’ll drive you home.”
She glanced at the empty street, pulled her jacket a little tighter, and obediently headed for the car.
“Front seat.”
Charlotte stopped, her hand still on the back door. She looked at Anthony, confusion in her clear eyes.
He bent down and opened the passenger door for her, raising an eyebrow. “What’s wrong? I’m not going to eat you.”
Charlotte just stared at him. Seriously, he could hold a grudge.
Once she was in, Anthony walked around and got in on the driver’s side.
Charlotte sat quietly, her face pale, looking like she’d been scared out of
her with Anthony couldn’t help but smile a little. He leaned over toward
her.
The sudden closeness and his unfamiliar scent made Charlotte tense up. She instinctively shrank away, her bright eyes full of caution.
He fastened her seatbelt with a soft click.
Charlotte blinked, speechless.
Anthony shot her a sidelong look and smirked before turning back to the wheel and starting the car.
They drove down the road, the soft scent in the car making everything feel calm and almost dreamy.
“This isn’t a good place for someone
like you,” Anthony said quietly, glancing at her neat clothes and the backpack in her arms, “Don’t come here again
Charlotte didn’t reply. She just kept looking at him, her eyes glimmering.
He noticed. This girl was always staring. He lowered his head, his dark eyes meeting hers. His voice was relaxed, with a hint of a smile. “What are you looking at? Am I really that good-looking?” ‘
Charlotte turned away to stare out the window, playing the perfect ice princess.
Anthony had seen this cold side of her before. He didn’t mind. He figured she was still scared from what happened earlier.
He looked at her for a moment, then suddenly pulled over to the side of the road.
“Wait here.” He got out and crossed the street to a 24-hour convenience store. Charlotte watched him go, her lashes trembling.
A minute later, Anthony came back and handed her a carton of milk.
“I asked the clerk. This is what all the kids drink.”