Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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After signing the papers and changing clothes, I led Javier out of the police station.
“Laurel, I thought we were both gonna end up inside today,” Javier said, patting his chest, still shaken.
Deep down, I knew if it weren’t for Angela’s car, the chief wouldn’t have been so accommodating.
I sighed deeply. “You should be thankful the police chief hasn’t met Angela; otherwise, we might’ve really needed your sister here to bail us out. Stay away from those people in the future. They’ve got money and connections–even officials have to tread carefully around them.”
Javier frowned, obviously displeased. “But why?”
“Because they’re loaded–paying taxes hundreds of times what you do in a year.”
“So what? This is 21st century. If I were to be a cop in the future, I’d treat everyone the same, rich or poor. Justice above all.”
“You wanna be a cop?” I turned to him in disbelief.
“Yeah, once I graduate, I’m taking the police exam. No one’s gonna push me around anymore.” Javier nodded firmly.
My lip twitched. Is this kid planning to pick fights legitimately in the future?
“Cops can’t use violence against people; they can get fired and face legal consequences too.” I rubbed my forehead, thinking I’d have to talk Bonnie into dissuading Javier from this career. With his strong sense of justice, he might just skip the law to tackle criminals himself.
“I’ll consider you lucky if you can manage to graduate.”
Javier pursed his lips, settling into the car with a hint of defiance.
His excitement was hard to hide at the sight of the car. “Being born into the right family is a skill, Laurel. Why is Angela so lucky?”
“She’s lucky? How about swapping with her? Doubt you’d last a month without cracking.”
He pondered for a moment and nodded silently. Suddenly, he pulled a business card from his pocket and handed it to me, “Laurel, Mr. Parks gave me this earlier. Said he’d pay for the dress. He wants you to call him.”
Isaac’s name on the card made my chest tight. All those years, I tried so hard to meet him, to get his contact info. But it turned out he had no memory of me.
Of course, it’s been six years. Why would he remember me? If he remembered me, he’d have known I wasn’t Angela.
I took the card. Initially, I thought of tossing it away but decided to keep it in the end.
“Since he wants to pay, let him. Have him transfer the money to you.”
“Really?”
“Yep, but don’t go spending it recklessly. Keep it from your mom too. Use it as your first startup fund. Weren’t you thinking of opening a store with your friend?”
Javier nodded vigorously, his head resting on my shoulder, “Laurel, you’re like my real sister.”
I glanced at him casually, replying, “I am.”
Javier quickly added Isaac on WhatsApp, and within five minutes, the request was accepted,
Before Javier could even ask for the money, Isaac straight–up asked for the bank account number.
To avoid Isaac suspecting Javier of embezzling, I sent him a voice message, instructing him to transfer the money directly to Javier’s account.
But there was no reply from him for quite some time.
“Is he having second thoughts?” Javier frowned.
“Nope.” I knew Isaac was a man of his word, and he didn’t bat an eye at such small amounts of money.
Ten minutes later, Javier’s account was credited with 150 thousand dollars.
“Laurel, he… he actually gave us the money?”
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Chapter 40
“Yep, steer clear of people like him from now on. You might not be so lucky next time.”
Javier nodded silently.
Rich folks might blow 150 thousand dollars on a designer dress or a fancy party. But regular families gotta hustle for years to earn that money.
That was the gap between the haves and have–nots, an insurmountable divide that couldn’t be bridged overnight.
“Laurel, I should transfer this money back to you.”
“What’s up?” I glanced at him, knowing full well that my aunt doesn’t dish out much monthly allowance to him, and he did odd jobs to make some pocket money. On weekends, he was even juggling multiple part–time gigs.
I used to ask Maliyah to give him some financial support, but he’d always flat–out refuse.
“I heard you broke up with Austin and lost your job. I can’t take this money from you.” Javier frowned.
“Guess you’ve been hitting up gossip websites?” I smirked, tapping his head hard.
“Your mom’s sick. How could I not know it?” Javier turned to me, his tone seasoned. “Austin? Total slimeball. Lied about his identity, tricked you into going to Newton City, and kept stringing you along. He’s clearly looking for a better option.”
“Guys know guys best!” I said casually.
“I’m not a playboy like him. Anyway, I don’t think Austin is any good.”
“Let’s drop him. Take the money. Haven’t called your Mom lately, huh?” I asked.
Javier scratched his head quietly.
“If you called Auntie, you’d know your sister’s already married and her job isn’t your concern either. And you, stop taking on part–time gigs for petty cash all the time. Aunt Bonnie wants you in college for your future big earnings. Putting your focus into studies and skills is more important than anything.”
Javier nodded, then turned to me with sudden panic. “Laurel, you’re not really married to Austin, are you?”
At the traffic light, I glanced at his pale face, his clear eyes full of despair.
He clasped his hands tightly as if lost in thought for a moment, then steadied his emotions and spoke with an earnest expression, “If Austin ever mistreats you, I definitely won’t let him off the hook.”
“Think I can’t handle him?”
Javier shook his head hurriedly, his deep voice tinged with a hint of bewilderment. “Are you still practicing boxing now?”
I shook my head and patted his shoulder lightly. “Forget what happened today. I didn’t lay a hand.”
Javier nodded obediently, pursuing, “You didn’t marry Austin, right?”
“Nope, not him.”
“Good.”
“You’re not curious who I married?”
“Anyone but Austin could hurt you.” Javier hesitated for a moment before speaking softly.
Pausing slightly, he drew his lips into a faint smile. “Love hurts the most.”
“Javie
se va in land” .. haal meirah advice.
“Lau
and qui
