Chapter 10: Standing Up for Her

Twenty minutes later, in a storage room in the furthest corner of the gym.

"Bang!"

With a loud crash, the door that had been intentionally locked from the outside was violently kicked open.

Tara, crouching in the corner, jumped in fright and looked up at the newcomer.

"Killian?" she asked in surprise.

The storage room was in a remote location and had no lights, making it very dark.

But the moment he heard that soft, delicate voice, Killian let out a faint sigh of relief.

"Are you okay?" he asked, switching on his phone's flashlight.

However, the moment the light illuminated the scene, Killian froze for a second.

Everything within sight was a mess.

Mops, brooms, and iron buckets were scattered everywhere.

Amidst the chaos, Parker lay motionless on the ground as if he had passed out.

As for Tara, she wasn't in good shape either. Her hair was a mess, half of her cheek was red and swollen, and one sleeve of her light blue dress had been torn, exposing a large portion of her fair skin.

Killian’s gaze darkened completely. The look he cast toward Parker was as if he were looking at a dead man.

Tara could tell from his expression that he had misunderstood, and she quickly stood up. "He only slapped me; he didn't do anything else."

Killian looked at her bruised neck and clearly didn't believe her.

Tara bit her lower lip slightly. Two seconds later, she whispered, "Okay, actually he tried to force a kiss on me just now, but I knocked him out with an iron bucket."

After she finished, she looked at the unconscious Parker with unease, then looked back up at Killian. "Will... will he be okay?"

This should count as self-defense, right?

Killian didn't answer her; he just picked up his phone and seemed to be doing something.

Tara thought he was calling the police, so she lowered her head and went silent.

Fine, if he wanted to call the police, let him. She was the victim anyway. She had a clear conscience, so what was there to fear?

While she was lost in thought, Killian suddenly walked into the inner partition.

When he stepped out a moment later, he held a red plastic rope used for securing cardboard boxes.

Tara was confused. "Killian, what are you doing?"

Killian still didn't speak. With a slight movement of his long legs, he kicked a nearby old chair in front of him. He then stepped forward, grabbed Parker from the floor, and tossed him onto the chair like a sack of flour.

Next, Tara watched with wide eyes as he tied Parker’s hands behind his back and his legs forward to the chair.

He used so much force it looked as if he were going to snap Parker’s limbs.

When he was done, he found a dirty rag in the inner room and stuffed it ruthlessly into Parker’s mouth.

By now, Tara understood completely.

Killian was standing up for her.

So, maybe he wasn't calling the police just now?

Thinking of this, Tara’s depressed mood suddenly brightened.

"Come here."

Killian looked at her and suddenly spoke.

Tara walked over obediently and looked up at him. "What is it?"

Killian looked down slightly, his deep, obsidian-like eyes watching her without emotion. "Your hair is a mess. Do you need me to fix it for you?"

"Is it?"

Tara blinked and immediately reached up to tidy her loose hair.

Her hair was thick and long, as dense as black seaweed.

Killian watched as she made her already messy hair even worse until he finally lost his patience.

"Forgive the intrusion."

He leaned in slightly and reached out to gently untangle and smooth her messy hair.

He was tall, and in this position, it looked as if he were completely embracing the petite Tara.

Tara didn't dare move. Her nose was filled with the gentle, elegant scent of sandalwood coming from him.

It was the complete opposite of his cold, sharp aura.

The last time she was drunk, she had been captivated by this scent.

"There."

While Tara was dazed, Killian suddenly spoke.

The moment he finished those words, a figure suddenly walked in through the door.

"Killian, I brought your clothes..."

Parker (the friend) hurried in, only to freeze when he saw the scene.

"What... what’s going on here?"

He scanned the room’s chaos, from the dog-like state of Parker on the chair to the slightly disheveled Tara. His brow furrowed instantly.

"Tara, are you okay?"

Before Tara could answer, Killian grabbed the thin shirt from his hand and tossed it to her.

"Put it on."

Two very brief, cold words.

Going out like this would indeed lead to misunderstandings.

Tara didn't hesitate. She put on the white shirt he gave her, and as she pulled it tight, it covered her torn dress.

Once she was dressed, Killian turned back to Parker (the friend) and said, "I’m taking her to the infirmary. You stay and clean up."

Parker (the friend) gave an OK sign. "Got it."

When they left, Killian took Tara through a small back passage.

There were very few people. Those they did pass mostly looked at Killian. Tara kept her head down and maintained a certain distance from him; passersby didn't pay much attention to her.

Tara was focused on the ground when Killian suddenly stopped.

"What is it?" She looked up at him.

Looking at her slightly red, innocent eyes, Killian was reminded of a little rabbit.

On the surface, she looked sweet and soft, but if provoked, she would bite.

"Your brother is away on a business trip. If you run into any trouble these next few days, you can come to me. I’ll do my best to help you solve it."

Killian looked at her expressionlessly, his voice a flat statement. "Except for the part about being your boyfriend."

Tara: "..."

He really doesn't leave any room for hope.

Tara lowered her eyes and said dejectedly, "Oh."

It doesn't matter,

she thought.

His unwillingness is his business; pursuing him is mine.

He can stay unwilling, and I’ll just keep pursuing him.

They walked in silence.

Ten minutes later, at the school infirmary.

After the doctor’s simple treatment, the stinging on Tara’s face felt much better.

The bruise on her neck had also been treated with ointment.

"Thank you, Killian."

After leaving the infirmary, Tara finally managed to say the thanks she had been holding back.

But the moment she spoke, her stomach let out a loud, clear growl that completely drowned out her words.

An awkward atmosphere suddenly filled the air.

Tara’s face turned bright red, and she just wanted to say goodbye and leave.

"Then I’ll just..."

"Let’s go eat." Before she could finish, Killian suddenly spoke.

Tara didn't quite react, looking up in surprise. "Huh?"

Killian looked back at her. "Isn't your phone smashed?"

Nowadays, it wasn't common to carry cash. With a smashed phone, she really wouldn't be able to buy food.

From what he was saying...

Tara’s eyes lit up. "Are you taking me to dinner?"

"Yes."

Hearing this, Tara forgot all her embarrassment.

Killian was actually offering to take her to dinner?

Her pursed lips couldn't help but turn upward.

Even though he had explicitly stated he wouldn't let her be his girlfriend...

Offering to take her to dinner was surely a sign of progress in her strategy, right?

"Okay! Thank you, Killian."

Tara accepted his treat without hesitation and followed him with a light step.

Killian’s peripheral vision caught the girl beside him, whose mood had clearly improved. A fleeting curve appeared on his lips.

After going through something like that, she was cheered up by a simple meal.

Should he call her optimistic, or just easy to please?

Killian retracted his gaze.

However, in the next second, his expression changed abruptly.