Chapter 28
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Beatrix and her group shuffled forward, their expressions grim. They didn’t have a scratch on them, but the way they carried themselves–defeated, drained–spoke volumes.
And the smell was awful–like they’d been dunked in a sewer.
The moment Beatrix spotted Eliza, she straightened, forcing authority back into her voice. “Eliza! Get over here and help me to the showers. And tell the professor I won’t be in class,”
Eliza didn’t move. Arms crossed, she regarded Beatrix with a cold expression.
Beatrix scowled. “Did you not hear me?”
Eliza let out a short, sharp laugh. “And why exactly should I? Who do you think you are? My boss?”
Beatrix’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You dare speak to me like that?”
Even Selena, with all her self–righteousness, treated Beatrix with a degree of deference. But Eliza–a nobody, an adopted daughter of the Daltons–dared to talk back.
Eliza rolled her eyes and turned on her heel, walking away withou
Beatrix stood there, fists clenched, face pale with rage.
another word.
She thought, ‘That wretched Hailey. She forced us to clean the school bathrooms! We had never so much as washed a dish in our lives!‘
And worse, they had tried to fight back. Tried. But Hailey was impossible to beat.
Every strike she landed was calculated–enough to send pain searing through their bodies, yet never leaving a visible bruise.
Beatrix seethed.
And as if that humiliation wasn’t enough, Hailey had declared that this wasn’t a one–time punishment.
Every single week, they would be scrubbing toilets and picking up garbage on the school grounds like janitors.
Beatrix swallowed down the burning anger in her throat.
‘This isn’t over. Hailey is going to pay!‘ she thought.
*****
By Friday evening, Hailey had a dinner to attend–Penelope’s birthday.
As she stepped out of the school gates, a sleek black car caught her eye, parked neatly by the curb.
Owen wasn’t inside. He was waiting for her.
The tall, slender figure stood out effortlessly–his sharp features and cool demeanor made him impossible to ignore.
Hailey hesitated for half a second.
Her mind flickered to that kiss.
She swallowed, then pushed the thought aside and walked toward him.
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“Selena, isn’t that Owen?” Annie whispered, eyes wide. “So it’s true–he’s really with Hailey? But what about Joshua?”
It was the end of the school day, and students were pouring out of the building.
Selena’s face turned cold. She said nothing, ignoring Annie.
“What’s there to ask?” Noelle scoffed. “It’s been obvious for weeks. And you know Selena’s had a thing for Owen forever.”
Annie leaned in conspiratorially. “If Hailey’s with Owen, what’s going on with Joshua? You think she’s stringing them both along?”
Noelle hesitated.
The moment Selena looked up, her eyes lit up, a flash of excitement gleaming in them.
“That’s right!‘ she thought. ‘Hailey, that shameless girl–first she went after Owen, and now she’s trying to get close to Joshua. She really has no shame!‘
If she could get proof–if she could make Owen believe Hailey was two–timing him–he would drop her in a heartbeat.
And Selena would make sure of it.
Hailey slid into Owen’s car, heading to his family.
As they pulled away from the school, she glanced down at her uniform, smoothing the fabric. “Should I change into something else?”
Owen didn’t hesitate. “We’ll stop by the mall first.”
She nodded, settling into silence.
Minutes later, they arrived at one of the most exclusive shopping centers in the city.
Owen led her inside, past the bustling first floor, and up to the second level.
Hailey frowned. The entire floor was empty and not a single customer was in sight.
Richard smiled knowingly. “Miss Dalton, the boss arranged for a private shopping experience.”
Hailey was touched.
She turned to Owen, who met her gaze with calm indifference. “The mall belongs to my family,” he said simply. “Don’t overthink it.”
He said it as if it was nothing.
But she knew what it meant to shut down an entire floor of a high–end shopping mall. These stores made a fortune by the
hour.
The second floor of the mall was lined with luxury boutiques, where a single dress could cost several thousand dollars.
“Let’s take a look in here,” Owen said, leading her into a store.
The shop was filled with dresses designed for girls her age.
The style design was quite unique and had a distinct flair.
Her gaze landed on a crimson chiffon gown. The design was stunning, bold. But the open back… it wasn’t exactly the kind of thing you wore to a formal dinner.
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Owen’s voice was low beside her. “Which one do you like?
Hailey skimmed through the racks. Aside from the red dress, many of them were beautiful, but she felt they didn’t quite suit
her.
A sales associate stepped forward with an easy smile. “May I make a recommendation?”
Hailey nodded.
The woman lifted the red dress from the rack. “With your complexion, you could wear anything, but this?” She held the fabric up to Hailey’s skin. “This would make you unforgettable.
Hailey bit her lip. “It’s a little too… revealing for a family dinner.
The woman nodded and pulled another option. “Then perhaps this white dress. Simple, elegant–perfect for the occasion.”
Hailey reached for it, just as Owen spoke. “Try them both.
She turned, shaking her head. “I don’t need to-
“Just try it,” he said, meeting her gaze. “I think the red one will look good on you.”
She hesitated. Then, with a sigh, she took both dresses and disappeared into the fitting room.
Owen glanced at her and couldn’t help but smirk.
When she stepped out, the room fell silent.
The red dress was breathtaking.
The high slit revealed hints of long, graceful legs. The neckline framed her collarbones just right.
She looked like something out of a dream.
She turned to check her reflection in the mirror, revealing the graceful curve of her back. Her delicate butterfly bones stood out, making everyone around pause in awe.
If this had been another time, another place, she would have been the kind of beauty that started wars.
Owen’s jaw tightened. Before she could say a word, he stepped forward, wordlessly draping his jacket over her shoulders.
Richard immediately looked away.
Hailey blinked up at him. “Does it look bad?”
His gaze swept over her, slow and deliberate.
Owen’s gaze darkened, his voice low and firm. “The dress is too revealing. It’s not appropriate–you’re still in school.”
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