The pain in my ankle made me limp. I plan to go straight to the bus stop and go to the hospital. It's getting colder and colder and this is pretty bad for the bump on my ankle. By the way, I also want to visit my mother.
Outside the academy's gate, several students were still gathering. They are probably waiting for the family's private car to pick them up. Being born into a wealthy family was a great advantage for them.
"I feel sad for Esther Joan, she's so delusional that she can pass Kaylin just because she got better than Kaylin on the assessment."
"Duck can't be compared to swan, haha. Anyway, Kaylin is Jenny's favorite student, Kaylin's position won't change."
"That's right. And even if there was someone who could really replace Kaylin, it would only be Veronica, not the country girl Esther Joan."
I had deliberately ignored their teasing, but it seemed they were purposely aimed at me and wanted to see me angry.
My intention is to shut up and leave, to avoid bothering with these clumsy ladies. However, Kaylin always knows how to create trouble for me.
"Esther Joan. I think your leg hurts. Want to come with me? I'll take you to the hospital."
Kaylin rolled down the car window and looked at me.
Seeing Kaylin's fake smile, I really wanted to rush in and tear off her disguise. However, I knew it was stupid, so I calmly replied.
"No need, I can go there by myself."
"Really? It's a long way from our academy to the bus stop. Your leg hurts so much, can you walk? You shouldn't be ashamed to be in a luxury car. You should try that feeling once, country girl."
"Stop calling me a country girl, Kaylin. I have my name. Esther Joan."
I approached the car door and spoke to her in a steely voice.
"Hmm, is that so? Sorry I can't remember your name." Kaylin always pretended not to know me in front of others. She only regrets not being able to kill me, because to her I am the disgrace of Joan's family, no one should know my true identity. "It's just, your country clothes make me want to call you with that cute nickname. Isn't that right, Garrick?"
Kaylin turned to look at Garrick, who was in the driver's seat. I saw him frown slightly but didn't reply. He didn't protect me from Kaylin's bullying, yet I thought we were friends. Garrick's suspiciously nonchalant attitude broke my heart, so I walked away, not talking to them anymore.
Suddenly, a car engine sounded.
The car stopped in front of me. But I didn't raise my head and just kept walking forward.
Suddenly, my whole body was lifted up. I was so scared that I almost screamed. Until I realized who was holding me, I was still surprised.
"What's wrong with your eyes getting red? Are you crying?" Dominic frowned at me.
I shook my head, trying to hold back the sob that caught in my throat.
"Say. Who made you cry?" Dominic spoke in a serious tone.
"Nobody."
"Then why are you crying?" Dominic still patiently asked me.
"I fell, because it hurt so much, I cried."
I pointed at my swollen ankle and bruised waist. Dominic stared at me for a moment, then carried me into the car. Today he drove himself here without a driver. I had a lot of questions to ask Dominic, but the mood was so bad that I decided to keep quiet.
Dominic didn't question me anymore, he said softly that he would take me to the hospital.
Before he was about to drive, there was a knock on the window. I looked over and saw Garrick standing outside the car door, his face was quite bad and not as gentle as usual.
"Esther Joan, come over to my car, I'll take you to the hospital. Don't ride in a car with a stranger."
"Stranger?" Dominic smirked, but his smile was devoid of amusement.
The two men were eye to eye, and I suddenly felt the atmosphere becoming tense.
Some practitioners secretly used their phones to record this scene without anyone noticing. They were silent, waiting to see what was going on. Everything changed so quickly. Obviously, Esther Joan is the girl everyone laughs at and despises. In a moment, Esther Joan was asked by two people at the same time to take her to the hospital. This made people not dare to believe.
Meanwhile, I was also confused by this sudden situation.
Dominic, not knowing what to think, suddenly leaned towards me. The distance between me and him was narrowed significantly, we almost leaned close to each other. I can feel his breath on my face, along with his soft, sensual voice.
"Tell your friend, are we strangers?"
I blinked a few times, then slowly turned to look at Garrick.
"We're not strangers." I humbly said.
"I warned you he was a dangerous man. Why didn't you listen to me? Did he threaten you? Did he force you to say that? Don't be afraid of Esther, tell me the truth. I can protect you."
Garrick looked at me with sincere eyes. His concern was obvious, but I was completely unmoved. His attitude before and now makes me not dare to believe that he finally treated me with sincerity or not. Perhaps, if given a choice between me and Kaylin, Garrick wouldn't hesitate to choose my sister. Then I won't listen to him either.
"Don't interfere in my private life, Garrick. You and I are simply academy friends, you're overdoing it. Don't bother me and Dominic."
I decisively turned my head away, leaning gently against Dominic.
Hearing my defense and cordial attitude towards Dominic, Garrick seemed shocked. He stared at me, about to say something but couldn't.
Kaylin also got out of the car. She moved forward to pull Garrick away, although he was annoyed and pulled his arm away from Kaylin, but she whispered something in Garrick's ear. Immediately, he calmed down a bit.
Before he got into the car, Garrick glanced at me, his eyes filled with disappointment and sadness. I really want to tell him that it's me who should be disappointed and upset? Why is he acting like that?
Things were getting more and more complicated, and Kaylin also gave me an unhappy look. After that, she also glanced at Dominic for a moment, then got in the car with Garrick and left. I know she likes Dominic, or rather, she's in love with the man holding me in this Lexus.
Therefore, the fact that I showed intimacy to him must have made Kaylin jealous, and I’m sure she will find an opportunity to take revenge on me.