The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1722

“Eat.”

Andrew grinned and pulled Shirley into the living room with him.

Once everyone was full and ready to head out, Geneva spoke up suddenly, “Shirley, you’re still recovering. Be careful, okay?”

“I will, Grandma.”

Shirley just took it as her grandma’s usual fussing. She didn’t think much of it and let Andrew lead her out.

Watching the two of them walk away, still laughing and joking together, Geneva couldn’t help frowning. A wave of worry just wouldn’t leave her heart.

***

Every Wednesday night was family dinner at the Blairs.

Andrew’s phone buzzed right after class ended. It was his mom, reminding him to come home early so he wouldn’t keep Patricia waiting at dinner.

“Yeah, I know.”

There was no escaping this, so Andrew made the call to Shirley, sounding less than thrilled. “I can’t walk you home tonight.”

“That’s fine.”

Shirley lay across her desk, her finger sliding back and forth over a photo on her screen. It was one of her and Andrew, the one he kept bothering her to use as her wallpaper.

She stared at Andrew’s smiling face for a while, feeling that familiar sting of disappointment when she realized he couldn’t come over today. She hadn’t noticed before how much she had started depending on him.

“Dinner with your grandma is more important,” she said, hoping he wouldn’t feel too guilty. “And, hey, don’t get into any fights with your mom tonight, okay?”

She knew Dorothy didn’t accept her right now, but she believed that, if she gave it time, she could get strong enough to be worthy of the Blair family.

“As long as she doesn’t badmouth you, I won’t argue,” Andrew muttered. “I don’t know what’s gotten into her lately. She’s been so irritable, it’s like she’s a completely different person.”

She stopped, and so did they.

Biting her lip, Shirley glanced over her shoulder. There was a man in a raincoat not far behind, his face totally hidden beneath the rain hood. The shadows made it impossible to see anything clearly.

Still, she was sure he was following her.

She swallowed her fear and pulled out her phone, trying to call for help.

As soon as her screen lit up, the man locked his gaze on her. In a flash, he moved toward her, fast and determined.

“Help—”

Shirley clung to her phone, dropped her umbrella, and ran through the rain as hard as she could. But she was small, and her legs just couldn’t outrun him.

Less than ten seconds later, the man caught up. He slapped the phone from her hand, clamped a rough hand over her mouth, and dragged her toward an abandoned shelter nearby. His breath was hot and foul as he whispered, “Save your strength. You’re going to need it.”