"This ismb shank andmb stew. I cooked pork ribs as well, in case you don''t likemb." Ireneid the food out and took a tube of ointment out from the bag. "Mr. Lucas, I bought this from the drugstore. I didn''t know what to get so I asked for a rmendation from the owner. Put this onter at night. Maybe it will work!" Mr. Woods had ordered Lucas to stay hand reflect upon his actions, and he had forbidden anyone from taking care of Lucas. Lucas had remained hungry for an entire day.


    His stomach rumbled at the enticing smell of the food, and at the stime, he was surprised that Irene would care for him so much.


    "You must be starving, Mr. Lucas. Here." She pushed themb skank toward him, "Eatingmb during winter is the best." Lucas'' pride caused him to hesitate, but his stomach rumbled in anticipation.


    "Eat while it''s still hot, Mr. Lucas! It won''t taste as good if it gets cold." She shoved the te into his hands, before removing the lid of the pot that contained themb stew. "Can I do sreading here, Mr. Lucas? I will throw everything away once you finish eating." "What are you reading?" He took a bite and felt his stomach warming up. Since he had eaten the food she had brought him, he gentled his tone.


    "I''m revising using the notes my ssmates took for me." She opened her backpack and took out a pile of notes. "I''m sitting for my university exam in June next year. I wonder if I can get into the university of my dreams. Are you in university, Mr. Lucas?" He stilled slightly with an awkward expression.


    "Um... I heard that you were expelled for fighting. I''m sorry," she apologized sheepishly. "I didn''t bring that up on purpose." "I''m in my third year of high school." Lucas knew that Mrs. Woods had probably looked into his background, and he decided that it did not matter if he told Irene about it. "I''m two years older than you, though." "So you are taking the exam next year as well? Why are you two years older than me, then? You didn''t start school until you were older? Or did they make you repeat a grade?" She stared at him curiously.


    "I got my birth certificateter than others, and my mom madetwo years younger than I actually am." "Oh... It''s no wonder that you look so mature. Keep eating, Mr. Lucas, I won''t bother you," she said before focusing on her notes. Lucas finished themb skank and gulped down the stew. Once he was full, his body warmed up and his mood lightened.


    "Did you get your pay?" He swallowed hard as he decided to thank Irene. "This must have cost you a small fortune. Thank you!" "I didn''t get my pay." She looked up at him. "The money I used was technically yours, Mr. Lucas." Worried that he would not understand, she added, "It''s the hundred-dor bill you tthe trash can yesterday. I took it out."  His expression darkened at her words. He frowned as he clenched his fists, his stomach turning.


    N?velDrama.Org content.


    Noticing his change of expression, she panicked took the trash withyesterday when you chasede out. I knew that Mr. Woods was going to punish you when he chso I took the money out when I threw the trash away, just in case.


    I''m so sorry, Mr. Lucas, I should have told you. I was so focused on revising that I forgot."  His expression darkened further at her exnation. A sharp pain shot through his stomach, and he darted into the bathroom with Irene following closely behind.


    "I''m sorry, Mr. Lucas! I know that I shouldn''t have taken that money but I didn''t have any money. I wanted to buy medicine and food for you, but I can''t afford anything," she said and choked on her words.


    Not only did she not have any money, she had nothing but debt.