Chapter 8
Anthony said, “Ariana, come back to us. I promise, from now on, the seven of us will be your loyal knights, forever protecting
you.”
Their apologies left me completely unmoved.
I said, “So a simple ‘we were deceived’ is supposed to make me forgive all the harm you caused me?”
I rolled up my sleeve: “This scar is from when you locked me in a dog cage and I was bitten.”
I pointed to my shoulder: “This scar is from when the chandelier fell and injured me.”
I extended my leg: “This scar is from when your ‘princess’ Sarah threw a snake at me and it bit me. You say you were deceived -did I deceive you? No. But all the injuries on my body were caused by you. Dad and I raised you for over ten years, gave you good lives, and how did you treat us in return?”
Remembering the pain from both my past and present life, I burst into laughter. But as I laughed, tears began streaming down my face.
I said, “Your love is too selfish. I don’t want it. I hope you’ll stop bothering me from now on.”
Benjamin, who had been standing silently to the side, pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped the tears from
the corners of my eves
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have been bullied by these ungrateful people.”
Anthony felt betrayed and stared at Benjamin’s actions in disbelief.
He said, “Ariana, didn’t you say you’d be with us forever? Who is this man? Are you distancing yourself from us because of him? And here we’ve been thinking about you constantly, searching for you everywhere.”
I slapped Anthony hard across the face.
I said, “Anthony, don’t assume everyone else is as filthy-minded as you. You’re not looking for me because you care about me -you’re looking for me because you’re incompetent and can’t accept your current impoverished life.”
Benjamin pulled me into his arms like he was claiming his territory, then looked down at the seven of them from his superior position.
He said, “Ariana is such a wonderful girl that anyone who isn’t blind would like her and pursue her. Our families have already arranged our engagement. We’ll marry after Ariana graduates from college.”
Samuel panicked: “No way! Ariana, you must be trying to spite us on purpose, right? You’re angry that we favored Sarah, so you deliberately found a man to make us jealous, isn’t that right?”
Anthony frowned and said, “Ariana, have you had enough of this tantrum? Whatever punishment you want to give us is fine, but Pets go home and discuss it.”
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Benjamin snorted coldly: “What? You want to bully us with your numbers?”
In an instant, Benjamin had knocked all seven of them to the ground.
At that moment, he looked absolutely incredible, and my heart couldn’t help but race.
Looking at the seven men on the ground, Benjamin said, “You seven incompetent guys think you can protect Ariana? You’re seriously overestimating yourselves. Besides, you’re just nursing students at National Career College-what gives you the right to pursue Ariana?”
Anthony and the other six men’s pride was crushed into the dirt
at that moment.
Once upon a time, when they were in dire straits, the Hall family had saved them, but they didn’t know how to cherish that. They had personally destroyed their own futures and destinies.
Anthony’s face went pale, showing a look of defeat for the first
time.
He said, “Ariana, I’m sorry. But we’ve lived together for so many years—can you really let go of the feelings between us? Ariana, everyone makes mistakes. You have to give us a chance to make things right, don’t you?”
A chance to make things right?
Butin my previous life, no matter how desperately I begged1
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they ever give me a chance?
Anthony continued, “Ariana, wait for us. We’ve already signed up to repeat senior year. Next year when we take the SATs,
we’ll definitely apply to the University of Washington and stand beside you with dignity.”
The seven of them swore firmly: “As for Sarah framing you, we’ll get justice for you.”
I ignored their vows and turned to wave at Benjamin.
I said, “Let’s head back. I’m getting a little hungry.”
Benjamin took the opportunity to hold my hand, then affectionately tapped my nose with his finger.
He said, “What would you like to eat? I’ll cook it for you.”
From that day on, Benjamin and I began dating.
Anthony and the other six men would occasionally send videos to my email.
