Anastasia glanced at Ethan in bewilderment. It was the first time she had witnessed his remarkable combat skills, and he had rushed to her aid when she was bullied. Anastasia gazed at Ethan with a troubled expression.
The security guards exchanged anxious looks, unsure of their next move. Logically, they should obey Brendan's orders and eject Anastasia's family. But now, seeing Brendan cast aside like a ragdoll, they were wary of Ethan, who seemed a formidable opponent. They are rooted on the ground and don't know what to do next.
"Get lost!" Ethan roared.
Hearts pounding, the security guards fled in panic. Brendan was helped to his feet, clutching his fractured wrist, his forehead drenched in cold sweat. With a spiteful expression, he spat out, "I won't let you off! Just you wait!" They drove away hastily.
Claudia, her hair and clothes disheveled from the scuffle, combed her hair with her fingers. Ignoring her distressed daughters, she rushed over to Ethan. "Who told you to hit Brendan? He's Thaddeus Reed's cherished grandson. Thaddeus will not let us off for this! You're nothing but trouble; all you do is cause chaos! Without you, we wouldn't have been booted out by the Reeds! This is entirely your fault, you jinx! Get lost!" Claudia lunged at Ethan, ready to slap him.
"Mother!" Charlotte quickly intervened. "Why didn't you react like this when Brendan grabbed Anastasia by the hair and bullied her? If Ethan hadn't come and driven Brendan away, Anastasia would have been severely hurt! How could you say that nasty things to Ethan!"
"Are you not thinking? Are you not afraid of Thaddeus' retaliation? Do you think your grandfather will spare us after he finds out Brendan was beaten up?" Claudia retorted.
"Grandpa's blaming all you worry about. Do you think Grandpa would let us off if Ethan hadn't hit Brendan?" Charlotte fumed. "We were already being bullied before Ethan arrived! Do you want us to kneel before Brendan and beg for mercy to avoid Grandpa's wrath?"
"What do you know, girl?" Claudia shot back. "Brendan and your grandfather are not to be provoked. Otherwise, our whole family will be thrown out! You should have at least made sensible words coming to your mouth."
"If we're kicked out, then so be it! Who wants to stay with the Reeds and be bullied every day? Anastasia and I can try to provide for you!" Charlotte was fed up with Brendan and the Reeds' mistreatment.
Anastasia's eyes were exhausted, and she swayed uncontrollably from fatigue. Ethan rushed forward to steady her.
Anastasia looked at Ethan with a vulnerable expression. "I am so tired. Can I trust what you've said before?"
Ethan nodded, his gaze steady and determined. "Yes. I promised I wouldn't let anyone bully you again. Whatever you need, I will make sure you get it."
Anastasia closed her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Ethan's heart ached as he watched her cry. Thinking of how the Reeds had tormented her, especially in the past years he was not with her, his expression hardened.
"Anastasia, your mother and I are incapable, and we've relied on the Reeds' dividends to get by. I am old now. It would be humiliating to be thrown out at this age. Anastasia, please, go and beg your grandfather," Charles said after a long silence.
"Dad! Why are you saying this, too?! Your pride is important, but so is Anastasia's!" Charlotte looked at her father, shocked and disappointed. She cannot imagine Anastasia kneeling in front of Thaddeus and Brendan while continually humiliating her, especially after the things that happened today.
Anastasia was distraught. She bit her lip and looked at her parents. "Fine, I'll do as you say and beg them!"
Her eyes filled with tears, and she turned and ran out into the rain, her tears mingling with the raindrops on her face. Emotions overwhelmed her as her feet ran towards the familiar place of her grandfather.
"Anastasia!" Charlotte panicked and was about to run after her when Claudia stopped her. "Why are you so insensible?! Don't follow her!" Claudia shouted at Charlotte, who watched as her frail sister vanished into the rain.
"You are all too much!" Charlotte yelled angrily at her parents, her face filled with disappointment. She was so enraged that she was on the verge of tears.
— —
Outside the Reeds' residence...
"Mr. Reed, are we really not letting her in?" The servant asked, concerned about Anastasia kneeling outside the iron gates, wobbling unsteadily in the heavy rain.
"Hmph, she deserves it!" Brendan sat comfortably in the warm, pleasant hall, watching Anastasia's pathetic situation through the glass. A white bandage was wrapped around his wrist, still throbbing with pain. The pain in his arm made him even more bitter, but he found some joy in watching Anastasia kneeling outside.
This is her punishment for hitting me! She should have told her husband, who was good for nothing, not to intervene in family matters. Brendan thought smugly.
Thaddeus Reed stared out at the figure in the rain with a stony expression, showing no emotion. No one can read what's running in his mind currently.