"Look at you, pathetic coward!" Heidi Roland planted her hands on her hips, her face twisted in disdain. "Too scared to even show your face at school?"
The word "coward" made Jason Roland flush crimson with humiliation.
Fiona Roland jabbed his forehead hard. "How did I give birth to such a useless waste of space?"
"..."
Was it wrong to value his own life?
Did they want him arrested for extortion before they'd be satisfied?
"If you're so capable, go extort Milo yourselves!" Jason retorted, his neck stiff with defiance. "Don't drag me into this!"
Fiona spat on the ground. "Watch me handle that little brat personally. You think I can't squeeze money out of him?"
...
At 5:30 p.m., Milo Roland and Ryan Watson crouched near a street food stall outside campus.
Steam rose from the simmering broth as Milo bit into a fish ball and checked his watch.
Evening study hall started at seven. He still had time.
"Let's hit the field." Milo patted Ryan's shoulder and pulled out his phone to call Jenna Roland.
His sister should be just waking up now.
"Hey, eaten yet?"
The clatter of a spatula came through the receiver. "Making noodles. What's up?"
Milo lowered his voice. "Aunt Fiona ambushed me twice at school today."
Jenna froze mid-eyebrow stroke.
Her pencil snapped in half.
"What did they say?"
"Tried to make me move back in." Milo kicked a pebble. "Didn't mention money, but something feels off."
Jenna's laugh was ice-cold. "Call the cops next time." She yanked open a drawer and pulled out a voice recorder. "I've got evidence."
"Got it!"
"Lock your door tonight."
After hanging up, Jenna stared at her razor-sharp reflection and slammed the makeup case shut.
Her e-bike screeched to a halt outside an electronics store.
"Got any discreet voice recorders?"
The clerk flinched at her intensity before presenting the latest model. "This one lasts 48 hours—"
Jenna scanned the payment QR code without hesitation.
For scum like them, only ironclad proof would do.
The e-bike roared toward the bar district through the gathering darkness.