Chapter 8


    Jonathan nced at her slightly chubby baby face, fair and soft, with a faint blush spreading from the


    base of her ears, like a cloud flushed with twilight, revealing the innocence of her youth. She looked


    more like a high schooler than a college student


    Feeling a bit of elder’s pity, he subdued his own irritation, waved Milo off, and said casually. “You can


    Estelle looked back before pretending to calmly jump down,nding behind him and avoiding eye


    contact with the staring dog.


    Jonathan seemed to chuckle as he walked towards Milo.


    She,te to realize, had been so close to him that she caught a whiff of his scent, like a cold spring in


    early spring, chilly and clear, with hints of wood.


    He walked over to Milo, squatted and patted its neck, saying lightly, “Milo usually doesn’t attack


    people.”


    But Estelle sensed something off in his words-what did he mean? Didn’t she look like a good person?


    Only then did she realize he had a purebred adult German Shepherd, even bigger and more


    intimidating than


    most.


    She looked down and adopted his indifferent attitude, “How familiar,. You can hear it all the time in the


    news where innocent people get bitten by dogs.”


    Jonathan paused, his dark eyes flicking over, and let out a scoff, “A little girl with such a sarcastic tone!”


    Estelle was about to retort when Norah, with a big smile, came running down the stairs, “Estelle, you’re


    here!”


    Norah had worn delicate makeup, she greeted Estelle warmly and introduced her, “My parents aren’t


    home, and we don’t have a lot of peopleing here. This is my uncle, whom you met yesterday. Just


    call him ‘Uncle!”


    Estelle looked at Jonathan with a surprised expression, but kept her lips sealed.


    Jonathan, seemingly holding a grudge for the previous remark, gave her a cold look, “No greetings for


    your elders? I’m starting to doubt your qualifications as a tutor.”


    Norah, clueless about Jonathan’s issue with Estelle, shot him a warning look, which he ignored.


    Estelle took a deep breath, finally squeezing out a begrudging. “Uncle!”


    Jonathan gave a nomittal grunt and sat down on the sofa with Milo.


    As she observed Jonathan’s arrogant demeanor, Estelle suddenly believed the rumors that he used to


    be the big bully of J City.


    “Henson’s upstairs; I’ll take you to meet him.” Norah’s smile unfolded as she led Estelle upstairs.


    Walking on the wooden floor, Estelle couldn’t help but notice how cozy the man and his German


    Shepherd appeared together.


    Feeling a pang of sadness for Max, who clearly still missed Jonathan, often listening outside his former


    study for any trace of his former master, even as Jonathan had long found a “new favorite” and


    forgotten about Max.


    As they turned the corner, Norah apologized, “I’m sorry Estelle, I didn’t mean to put you in an awkward


    situation on your first visit. You might don’t know my uncle. But he is very protective. You called him


    uncle today, and he answered. If you ever need help, just ask him.”


    Estelle thought to herself, she wouldn’t need his help!


    Still, she gave a polite smile, “Thank you, Norah.”


    Norah responded, “Don’t mention it. We may not have been close in school, but I’ve always admired


    you and wanted us to be friends.”


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    Estelle beamed, “We’re friends I’


    Norah’sughter was particrly sweet. As Norah reached out to take Estelle’s hand, though Estelle


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    stiffened momentarily, she didn’t shy away.


    Outside Henson’s room, Norah knocked and called out, “Henson, Iming in


    No one inside answered, so Norah pushed the door straight in


    The door opened to a small foyer, to the right a bathroom and to the left the bedroom, decorated in a


    style that boys would loveics, space, replicas of firearms, a bit of everything but not messy


    A 10-year-old boy was curled up on the couch, ying games on a tablet, not looking up at their entry


    “Henson, this is your new tutor, and she’s my friend. Do not bully her, got it?”


    Henson gave a nomittal “oh” before resuming his game.


    Norah inhaled deeply, keeping her cool, not wanting Estelle to get discouraged, “My brother can be


    difficult. Don’t give up on him!”


    “Don’t worry!” Estelle gave her a reassuring nce.


    Despite her irritation with Jonathan, Norah was very kind to her.


    Norah led Estelle around the room, inputting Jonathan’s number into her phone, then said in a low


    voice, “I had an appointment, so I’ll leave you and Henson to get acquainted. If he gives you any


    trouble, just get my uncle.”


    Estelle felt that even if she was kicked out of the Lamont family by Henson, Jonathan wouldn’t care


    about her!


    Norah left, and Estelle walked around the room before stopping at Henson’s desk, where his


    untouched homeworky.


    She sat down next to him and said softly, “You don’t do your homework and make a big fuss… are you


    trying to get your parents’ attention?”


    As soon as they left, his tutor had resigned, obviously Henson was deliberately pissing off the tutor!


    Henson’s hands faltered as he yed, giving her a dark look that was too malicious for his age, “Mind


    your own business, or I’ll make sure you won’tst a day!


    Estelle didn’t flinch, insisting, “Rebellion is a childish way to seek parental attention.”


    Henson clenched his tablet and refused to speak.


    Leaning in, Estelle said, “You’re ying games. How about doing your homework first, then I’ll y with


    you?”


    Henson scoffed, “You were just making fun of me for being childish, and now you’re trying to trick me


    like a child. Are all you adults this hypocritical?”


    Estelle frowned, “Excuse me, I’m still a kid too!”


    Henson couldn’t help but snicker when he saw her serious face, so he turned his head and let out a


    littleugh. Estelle rolled her eyes and took out her phone, “Forget it, I don’t have the skills to handle


    this, but since I’m here, I’ll y a game with you for a bit and then I’m out.”


    Henson eyed her suspiciously.


    Estelle had already started the game and looked at him nonchntly, “I’m serious, I didn’t n to tutor


    you anyway. Teaching rich kids isn’t a piece of cake. It was your sister who felt sorry for me and


    insisted Ie!”


    Henson frowned, “Why would she feel sorry for you?”


    Estelle pursed her lips, her voice bing softer, “I had no parents growing up, it was my grandpa


    who worked hard to raise me and paid for my tuition. Just a few days ago, he got sick, and I wanted to


    earn some money to get him to see a doctor.”


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    As she said this, Estelle even choked up a little.


    Henson furrowed his brows even more and hesitated for a moment. He put down his tablet. So being


    my tutor will give you enough money to help your grandpa””


    Estelle felt a secret joy because she had guessed correctly that Norah had a stronger rtionship with


    hes grandparents than her parents, so when she heard about someone else’s grandpa being ill, he’d


    feel empathy


    Estelle looked at him with round, watery eyes hiding her sorrow, and said frankly. “Yeah, tutoring you


    pays more than others, and it would help me to get my grandpa to see a doctor sooner


    Henson rolled his eyes, putting on a reluctant face. “Fine then, I’ll let you stay, but it’s only because of


    your grandpa’


    Estelle wanted tough; he didn’t even know who her grandpa was, yet he imed to do it for his sake!


    She kept a straight face, acting somewhat troubled, “It won’t be enough for me to stay, you have to


    cooperate with me and finish your homework as quickly as possible. If I can’t prove my worth as your


    tutor, your uncle will kick me out soon. Rich people’s money ain’t easy to make!”


    “What a pain!” Henson threw down his tablet and walked over to his desk, “Hurry up and get started!


    And don’t forget what you said earlier when we’re done with the homework, y games with me!”


    “Yes, sir!” Estelle stood up, grinning.


    Jonathan had been waiting downstairs for an hour. When he passed by Henson’s room on his way


    upstairs, he wondered whether Estelle could actually discipline Henson.


    The door was half-open, and before he got close, he heard Estelle shouting from inside,”


    “I’m going to die!”


    “Where are you? Save me!”


    Henson’s annoyed voice rang out simultaneously. “You noob, what the heck were you trying to blow


    up? That


    was me!”


    “What?”


    Jonathan pushed open the door and entered, just as Estelle looked up, probably still lost in the game,


    with a dumbfounded expression on her face!


    “What are you guys doing?” The man asked with a stern face.