Chapter163 She Betrayed Us
Jenny's expression tensed.
She hadn't anticipated Luann Weaver would come prepared!
With Luann's command, the bodyguards in black sprung into action without a word, easily overpowering Jenny's friends.
Luann stepped forward, leaning slightly towards Jenny.
"What was it you said just now?"
"Have your friends enjoy a little session?"
"Maybe catch it on video?"
Jenny's face turned ashen as she thrashed in a futile attempt to break free.
Her hands were gripped tightly by the bodyguards, leaving no room for escape.
Luann lifted her hand, gesturing across the untouched side of Jenny's face.
"Hey hey, stay still, we wouldn’t want it to be uneven."
Immediately, the bodyguards clamped Jenny's jaw in place.
Her pupils dilated with fear as she glared at Luann's hand, "If you dare hit me again, I swear I won't let you get away with this!"
Smack!
Luann exclaimed in mock surprise, "Oops, my hand slipped."
"I told you not to move, and yet you did."
"Let's try that again, even it out."
Enraged, Jenny shouted, "Luann Weaver!"
Smack!
"That's off."
Smack!
"Seems even now."
Smack!
Under the astonished gazes of onlookers, Jenny was slapped repeatedly, her ears ringing with each hit.
Luann stood before her, a smile playing on her lips devoid of any malice.
She gave her hand a light shake, as if to dismiss the sting of the slap.
"Such fair skin, yet your schemes are quite dark."
For a twenty-year-old college student, such words, let alone deeds, hinted she was domineering.
“I certainly wasn't in the mood to play teacher today, but nobody messes with Emma on my watch,” Luann Weaver said as she firmly grasped Jenny's collar.
With a loud rip, skin was suddenly exposed, and Jenny let out a desperate cry.
Luann frowned slightly, “What's all the shouting for? It's just a shoulder; no need to make a scene.”
She then gave a subtle look to the bodyguards in black suits, and, as one, they turned, guiding the boys' heads away to shield their view from what was about to happen.
Without much effort, Luann tore open Jenny's clothes, and amidst her cries of despair, snapped several pictures with her phone.
“Nice, very nice,” Luann mused, appreciating her handiwork. “I'll be keeping this photoshoot,” she remarked with a hint of satisfaction, ensuring Jenny understood the lesson. “Remember, don’t bully Emma again.”
As Luann was about to leave, one of her bodyguards spoke in a hushed tone, “Ma'am, the young lady saw everything.”
Luann glanced over and saw Emma, eyes wide with a mixture of shock and awe, who had witnessed the entire encounter. Emma couldn't believe that Luann would actually come to her aid, and that she'd so boldly set Jenny straight.
“They’re so cool…” Emma thought to herself, her eyes sparkling with admiration. The way Luann had handled things was precisely the assertiveness she'd secretly desired to emulate – so swift and effortlessly in control!
When Luann approached and waved a hand in front of her, Emma finally snapped back to reality.
“Daydreaming?” Luann teased.
Emma immediately grabbed Luann's hand, examining her reddened palm with concern. “Does it hurt? You know what they say about action and reaction – hitting someone else can hurt you too.”
“It’s fine, not much pain,” Luann reassured her casually, pulling her hand away gently.
After a pause, Emma suddenly said, “Wait here for me, don’t go anywhere!”
About five minutes later, Emma came running back, out of breath, and handed Luann an iced latte.
“How about now?” she asked. “Feeling better?”
The cool drink soothed the burning sensation, and Luann nodded with a warm smile.
“Much better, thanks.”
Emma, a little embarrassed, scratched her head. “I should be thanking you. If you hadn’t come, that gang would have definitely had their way with me today.”
With a light pat on Emma’s head, Luann simply smiled.
Emma's cheeks turned a deep shade of red as she cleared her throat softly. "Uh, Luann, could you do me another favor?"
"Hmm?"
"It's just... I don't want to go to school lately."
"Is Jenny still giving you a hard time?"
Emma shook her head.
"It's my sister, she just wrapped up filming, and she might be coming home to rest for a bit."
"So, I want to spend some time with her."
"But my folks won't let me take time off..."
Luann Weaver nodded decisively, "Sure thing."
"Yay! That's awesome!"
Emma let out a tiny whoop of joy.
The two grabbed a bite to eat nearby, and afterwards, Luann had someone take Emma back to the old family house.
Emma, clutching a bag, tiptoed over to Joshua, who was kneeling at the front door, and squatted beside him.
"Bro, have something to eat."
Joshua's lips were tightly drawn, his eyes shut, his face deathly pale.
Upon hearing her voice, he opened his eyes.
"Why aren't you at school instead of here causing trouble?"
Emma's response was feebly noncommittal.
Joshua sensed something was off and pressed in a hushed tone, "You didn't actually go after Luann Weaver for revenge, did you?"
Joshua struggled for words, then resignedly said, "Never mind... it doesn’t matter..."
"I'm sorry, bro." Emma apologized with earnest sincerity.
"Sorry for what?" Joshua locked eyes with Emma's tender gaze, a bad feeling creeping into his heart.
"I think I'm about to switch sides," Emma uttered with deliberation.
"What? What do you mean?"
Emma's fingers nervously tightened on the bag, crinkling it loudly.
"I think there's been some misunderstanding between you and Luann. She seems like a genuinely good person, really kindhearted, and extremely beautiful."
"She's even more stunning than the celebs I fawn over, surpassing even our sister in beauty!"
"You know I'm all about the looks; I just adore beautiful people..."
A muscle twitched at the corner of Joshua's mouth as veins bulged on his forehead, visible to the naked eye.
He took a deep breath.
Hold it in.
He must hold it in.
Oblivious, Emma continued to add fuel to the fire.
"So I wanted to let you know, I can’t join you against Luann anymore."
Pushing the bag of food into Joshua's arms, Emma's face bore the look of making a painful sacrifice.
"Here, these are my all-time favorites."
"And now they're all yours!"
Unable to contain himself, Joshua flung the bag to the ground, the food tumbling out, collecting dust.
He roared furiously.
"Get out of here!"
