Chapter to
W” “Calvin arrived at the station, he told the police to take this matter seriously, saying a lawyer would get
Avery remained silent the entire time. She didn’t defend herself because she knew very well how those in power operated. To please Madison, Marcus would never
let her off easily.
“Avery, why did you attack Zack?” the officer asked Avery.
Avery was silent for a moment before replying, “Personal grudge.”
The officer glanced at Avery’s ID, clearly recognizing her. “Four years ago, I was involved in the investigation of the campus violence case at Helsenville University.
That campus bullying incident resulted in the victim, Avery, sufleting permanent heating loss in her left ear, a crushed pinky finger, and injuries all over her body toa homific to look at.
It was acciminal case and was supposed to be filed as such, but the Lowell family forcibly suppressed it. The university professors didn’t report it either. Only after the media exposed the case did the police step in, but Avery didn’t agree to open the case.
Hence, the matter was left unresolved.
But as a police officer, Cooper Quinlan remembered that case very clearly–a group of heirs from elite families bullying an orphan who grew up in a foster home.
Avery was only 19 that year. The professors sided with the Lowells and Harpers. They helped the perpetrators and threatened Avery, saying if she dared to call the police or make a scene, she wouldn’t be allowed to graduate, even if she got out of the hospital.
Jone couldn’t fight the powerful with bare hands. Avery wanted to graduate safely, so she had to do what she was told–not spread the story, and certainly not
damage the university’s reputation.
Avery had no one to help her. She was easy to bully because everyone knew she had no backing
They all chose to oppress the weak to comfort the powectul elite.
“Zack was one of the people who bullied you back then, right? Cooper looked at Avery
Avery sat in the chair stiffly, staring at Cooper in shock
She opened her mouth but couldn’t make a sound
That year had been the darkest and quelest year of Avery’s life.
It wasn’t just the physical abuse from Zack and Mindy, but the ruthless trampling of her by a csel and unfair society.
It was as though it was her fault for being an orphan and having no powerful background!
“The hospital called Zacks injuries aren’t serious, but he insists on pressing charges. You strick first this time. Even it what happened back then was the trigger, it doesn’t give you the right to hit someone, understand?” Cooper spoke gently
Once he recognized Avery, be understood that she wasn’t really in the wrong.
However, he couldn’t protect her before the law, especially since the other party wouldn’t let it go.
Avery lowered her head and whispered, “Thank you!
“Why don’t you choose to leave Helsenville and stay away from those familles?” Cooper acked.
“I have no way to escape.” Avery smiled bitterly.
Four years ago, when she was suffocating under the pressure from the university and the Harper family, Marcus was the one who offered her a light of salvation and told her not to be afraid. He said he’d protect her and that he’d never let her get hunt again.
Not only dad Marcus hit Mindy in front of her, but he also sent Mindy and Zack overseas, After that, no one at the university dared to openly bully her again.
At an age when she was starved for low, Avery foolishly tell for Marcus
In those four years, it wasn’t that she hadn’t thought of leaving.
She just couldn’t.
Marcus didn’t love her, but he wouldn’t let her portier.
“If you’re being tlateatened, you can call the police Cooper frowned. Even as lie salad it, he lacked confidence because even the law couldn’t protect souseone train
This world had no absolute faimes. Prople said everyone was equal, but true equality didn’t exist.
Do you live any closet? some is willing to bas you ust, you can leave tonight.”
Celvin demanded that Avery be dealt with strictly, so a 24–hour administrative detention for Avery was basically unavoidable.
Because the situation wasn’t secinus, Averycould leave if someone bailed her out.
But Avery shook lier lead.
Marcus had a strong red for control, and Avery stayed guarded with everyone, es, aside from Mancus, she had no friends.
She didn’t want to contact Linda Wells, the director of the orphanage, either. She got involved with the police herself, so very didn’t want to worry Linda
Just when Cooper was at a loss, Avery’s phone rang
The number was unsaved, but Avery knew it was Gildenn
14
Cooper handed the phone to Avery, hoping she could find someone to ball her out
Avery besitated for a second before answering the call. “Mr. Langston.
“I’m not calling to pressure you into malding a decision. There’s a banquet tonight hosted by the Holsenville Chamber of Commerce. My grandfather’s the former chairman, so he’ll be there. Do you have time? Name your terms,” uttered Gideon calmly
It sounded as though he were making a business deal with Avery.
He was willing to offer compensation for the purchase of Avery’s time so she could attend the banquet just to make his grandfather happy.
Avery’s fingers stiffened slightly as she held the phone, her voice boarse. “Mr. Langston, I’ve num into a bit of trouble. I’m at Helsenville Praxon Police Station. Could you come bail me out?”
There was silence on the other end of the phone, and without giving a response,
Gideon hang up.
Avery set the phone down, a little disappointed. Then, she looked at Cooper apologetically. “Sorry, Officer Quinlan ”
No one would be willing to help her.
Cooper gave Avery a look before getting up to pour her a glass of water. He then asked another officer to take Avery to the holding cell.
“Officer Quinlan, do you know that woman?” asked another officer in the office curiously.
“yeah, I know her.” Cooper didn’t deny it. Saying he knew Avery might be helpful. At the very least, his colleagues might not be too hard on Avery with his name attached to hers.
“She’s a friend.”
“Why did she hit someone?”
“because the other person deserved it,” replied Cooper calmly.
Four years ago, he was hot–blooded and got himself transferred from the police’s criminal unit to the Praxon Police Station to be a patrol officer because of a criminal case.
The campus bullying case at Helsenville University left a deep lampression on Cooper.
After the media exposed the video of Avery being abused, he volunteered to investigate it. He personally drove to the university to meet Avery.
At that time, Avery’s whole body was covered with Injuries,
He wanted to ask Avery if she wanted to file a police report and open a case. But the professors used threatening language, telling Avery not to say anything After that, he visited the university several more times, but they gave all lands of excuses not to let him see Avery. They told him Avery was in poor health and needed to rest.
“So, the other person was the piece of trash? Why detain her and not the trash, then?
Cooper gave a self–deprecating smile. “Trash like that will get what’s coming for them eventually
The other officer fell silent, understanding what Cooper meant. The other party was definitely someone wealthy and powerful.
Just then, Gideon arrived with a lawyer in tow.
“Hello, I’m Gideon Langston, a friend of Avery’s.”
“Hello, I’m Ms. Sawyer’s lawyer. We’d like to understand the situation of the person involved.”
Cooper froze for a moment and looked at cideon, finding it hard to believe that the
anwith an extraordinary presence was Avery’s friend. But regardless, Cooper was relieved that someone had come to bail Avery out. “Hello, please come with me.” Cooper brought Gideon and the lawyer to the mediation room. “Avery assaulted someone today at Lowell Group”
Gideon was a bit surprised that the timid Avery actually hat someone.
“She wouldn’t but someone for no reason. The other person must have done something wrong, right?” Gideons asked deeply-
Cooper looked at Gideon again and nodded. “The one who got hit is ZackHaper. He bullied Avery at Heisenville University four years ago. Avery allegedly struck Is head with a vase when he didn’t attackler”
Gidron’s expression darkened. “Four years ago Stir was bullied on campus?=
