Chapter 145 This Has Nothing to Do with You
Katniss was guiding Aaron through the basics, taking it one step at a time. Before they knew it, an hour had flown by, and Tristan showed up with a plate of fruit.
He was rocking a white shirt and some casual pants, with his hair flopping over his forehead, making him look pretty young.
After setting the fruit on the table, he didn't just leave. Instead, he asked, "Have you guys had dinner yet?"
It wasn't clear if he was asking Katniss or Donna.
Donna shook her head and said, "My dad's working late, and my mom's out playing cards. She told me to snack and wait for my dad to get home for dinner."
"You haven't eaten yet?" Katniss was genuinely surprised. "It's already eight. If you wait until after class, you'll be starving by nine."
"Usually, my mom handles dinner," Donna said with a wry smile. She thought Wren was unreliable, but what could she do?
Katniss didn't know what to say; this wasn't her home.
"What about you?" Tristan asked.
Katniss shook her head too. "I had some milk before I came, so I'm not hungry. I usually skip dinner."
"Come downstairs and help me cook. We'll eat something before continuing." With that, Tristan headed downstairs.
Donna looked at her expectantly, clearly feeling awkward.
"It's fine, we'll just make some quick pasta. Next time, remind your mom to feed before you come over." Katniss stood up and gave a few instructions. "If it takes too long, just go over your study materials. I'll call you in a bit."
She went downstairs, and Tristan was already in the kitchen.
He was boiling water and turned to look at her while waiting for it to boil. "Come help."
"Okay." She rolled up her sleeves and walked over.
After looking around for a bit, she still didn't know what to do and asked, "What can I help with?"
Tristan pointed to the fridge with his chin. "Grab the tomatoes and wash them."
She was silent for a few seconds, feeling like Tristan had called her to help on purpose.
But she did as he asked, washing and dicing the tomatoes.
Then she stood aside and watched Tristan cook the pasta.
He made just enough for four people.
"I'll call them down," Katniss said, getting ready to message them.
After some thought, she created a group chat with Donna and Aaron, making it easier to send assignments or discuss studies in the future.
Katniss: [Come downstairs for dinner!]
In no time, both of them came down.
The four of them sat down, and Katniss set the table. Suddenly, Aaron said, "Tristan, happy birthday."
Katniss was a bit puzzled.
She didn't know when Tristan's birthday was; in the three years they were together, he never celebrated it.
But his personal information was online, and it seemed to be around this time.
"Mr. Forbes' birthday?" Donna said in surprise. "Happy birthday, Mr. Forbes. But I didn't know, so I didn't prepare a gift."
Katniss sniffed and scratched her head awkwardly. Then she turned to Tristan at the head of the table and said, "Mr. Forbes, happy birthday."
Finally, she said to Donna, "Don't worry about gifts. We don't have that kind of relationship with Mr. Forbes, so there's no need for gifts."
"Okay," Donna said, still a bit embarrassed.
Katniss buried her head and started eating the pasta.
Tristan frowned as he finished his bowl of pasta.
He thought Katniss's attitude had made this the worst birthday ever, but it was about to get worse.
Suddenly, a light shone outside, making the room as bright as day.
They could faintly hear shouting. Donna and Aaron, curious, put down their forks and went over.
Katniss and Tristan followed closely. The four of them stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at a Porsche parked outside the villa.
The car's headlights were shining into the villa, and a person stood in front of the car, backlit, making it impossible to see who it was.
"Tristan, is someone looking for you?" Aaron asked.
Tristan frowned and shook his head. "No."
He didn't recognize the car.
While they were puzzled, Katniss's phone suddenly rang. It was an unknown number.
She answered, and a strange voice came through, "Clio, I'm at your door. Come out!"
Katniss was confused. It took her about ten seconds to process that it was the person she met at the club last night.
At her door?
She quickly hung up and turned around. The three of them were all looking at her.
"Sorry, it might be someone looking for me. I'll go handle it," Katniss said.
She grabbed a coat and hurried out. As she got closer, she saw it was indeed Stanley.
He was wearing a floral shirt and holding a bouquet of bright red roses.
"How did you find this place?" she asked, looking at the flowers Stanley was handing over but not taking them.
Stanley kept holding out the flowers and smiled. "Did you think I couldn't find you just because you gave me a fake name and number?"
"Sorry, sir, I might not have made myself clear." Katniss smiled politely. "If you're just looking for fun, I'm not the one for you. If you're serious, then let me formally reject you. I'm not interested."
With that, she turned and walked away.
Stanley quickly caught up and grabbed her wrist. "Playing hard to get? That works on me, especially with your looks. I like it."
As he spoke, he shoved the flowers into Katniss's hands. "I'm used to this game. Don't be so reserved. If you're interested, invite me in for some 'fun.' I promise you'll be satisfied. How about it?"
Katniss tried to pull her hand back, but he was too strong, and she couldn't break free.
Her patience was wearing thin. Although she didn't turn around, she could vaguely sense a sharp gaze watching them.
She threw the flowers to the ground and looked at Stanley with a cold gaze. "This isn't my house. I'm here as a tutor. If you cause trouble and disturb the owner, I'll call security."
"I don't like you calling security here. I prefer you calling out in bed," Stanley said lecherously, his eyes scanning her body as his hand moved up her arm.
A feeling of disgust washed over her. She threw the flowers to the ground and tried to break free from Stanley.
But Stanley tightened his grip and started pushing her toward the villa.
She stumbled on the uneven stone path, almost losing her balance.
"Let go." Tristan's voice was cold. As he spoke, a hand wrapped around her waist.
A strong arm reached out in front of her and grabbed Stanley's wrist.
Stanley's face twisted in pain, and he had to let go of Katniss.
"Stay away from her from now on." Tristan released Stanley's hand and pulled Katniss's hand back, gently rubbing the spot where Stanley had touched.
It was already red.
As the pain in Stanley's wrist subsided, he immediately questioned Tristan, "Who are you to her? Why are you interfering in my business? Do you know who I am?"
"Not really. You can introduce yourself," Tristan said indifferently.
Only one streetlight illuminated the area, casting a shadow over the group. Tristan was nearly a head taller than Stanley.
Despite his indifferent tone, Tristan's presence completely overshadowed Stanley's arrogance.
"Stanley Ortiz." Stanley regained his confidence as he introduced himself. He then asked, "Who are you? You better not mess with me!"
Tristan thought for a moment and remembered that there was indeed someone by that name in Nightfall City.
He raised an eyebrow and said, "Tristan."
The name sounded somewhat familiar to Stanley, but it wasn't a household name.
Stanley became even more arrogant. "I don't care what your relationship is with this woman. I want her. Hand her over, and in the future..."
"Not a chance." Tristan tightened his hold on Katniss and said through gritted teeth, "Get lost."
With that, he turned and led Katniss back into the villa, closing the door behind them.
Stanley refused to leave and started banging on the door. When that didn't work, he went around to the floor-to-ceiling window and started knocking on it.
Donna, who was standing by the window, had never seen such a scene and took a few steps back in fear.
Aaron quickly stood in front of her, locking eyes with Stanley for a few seconds.
Then he quickly looked away, as some scattered memories flashed through his mind. He hurriedly pulled Donna away from the window.
Soon, security arrived. After a brief conversation with Stanley, he left angrily.
He got into his Porsche and drove out of the neighborhood. He found the person who had followed Katniss and said, "Find out who this Tristan is. How dare he compete with me for a woman? He must have a death wish!"
After giving his orders, Stanley seemed to remember something. "Why is Aaron here?"
"I don't know!" his subordinate replied.
"Don't know? What am I paying you for? Go find out!" Stanley slapped the man on the head and got back into his car.
Inside the villa, the atmosphere was tense.
Tristan ordered Aaron to take Donna upstairs to study.
Katniss sat on the sofa, looking uneasily at Tristan, who was standing opposite her.
"How do you know him?" he demanded.
"I just met him at the club last night. I don't know him. I only found out his name is Stanley when he said it just now." Katniss's voice was much softer, like a child who had done something wrong.
Tristan didn't believe her and became even more self-righteous. "How could he know your phone number if you don't know him?"
"I..." Katniss was at a loss for words, feeling like she couldn't explain.
After all, she had deliberately switched two digits, yet Stanley still figured out it was fake.
If she wasn't sure she had written it wrong, she would have thought she had given Stanley her real number.
Suddenly, Tristan bent down, placing his hands on either side of her, his voice cold. "Katniss, you'd better be honest and stay away from those shady people."
Thinking about the bouquet of bright red roses made his anger rise.
After a few seconds, Katniss reacted and tried to push him away with her fingers, attempting to create some distance. "Mr. Forbes, this has nothing to do with you!" she said.
As soon as she finished speaking, Tristan grabbed her arm, hoisted her over his shoulder, and headed upstairs to his room.
He threw her onto his bed. She let out a soft cry, and in the darkness, she saw him fumbling to take off his shirt!
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