Don't Mess with the Girl with Candy novel Chapter 128

“Don’t mention it,” Shanley said, taking a small sip. A smile spread across his face, his mood clearly buoyant. “We’re all family now. No need for formalities.”

Family? Jimmie gripped his wine glass, a chaotic feeling swirling inside him. Something felt off, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

Oh, well. Shanley was older and more responsible. His sister would be in good hands. At least that was one less thing to worry about; he wouldn’t have to fret about her being led astray by some punk.

...

After dinner, Jimmie left to deal with MV-related matters, while Shanley drove Juniper back to school.

In the car, the girl was curled up comfortably in the corner, her fingers flying across her phone screen as she expertly played a game.

“Where’s the ointment?” Shanley asked, glancing at the scabbed wound on her right hand. His brows knitted together, the pressure in the car dropping. She clearly hadn’t been taking care of it properly.

“Side pocket,” Juniper replied, jerking her chin in its direction without taking her eyes off the game.

Shanley let out a helpless sigh and retrieved the medicine. “Give me your right hand,” he said in a soft, coaxing tone.

“Okay,” Juniper obediently extended her hand, continuing to play one-handed without any noticeable drop in skill.

“Even though the wound is healing, you need to keep applying this,” Shanley said, dabbing the ointment on gently with a cotton swab. “Otherwise, it’ll leave a scar.”

“Don’t have time,” Juniper said, glancing at the mark on her hand dismissively.

She’d once been abandoned in a rainforest for two months, fighting off wild animals. Her body had been covered in wounds; she’d nearly died. This little scratch was nothing.

“Don’t have time?” Shanley’s lips pressed into a displeased line. Was it a lack of time or a lack of concern? Why was this girl so careless with her own well-being?

...

That evening, Shanley arrived early at the school gate as promised, a warm sweet potato in his hand.

Before long, he spotted a tall, striking figure in the throng of students. She walked amidst the crowd, flanked by two girls on her left and a boy on her right. The boy was carrying her backpack, holding her milkshake, and grinning like an idiot.

Wasn't that the same boy who’d been fawning over her at the police station?

Shanley’s expression darkened. He got out of the car and sent Juniper a text: [Juniper, intersection to your right.]

Juniper followed the direction and saw the man’s figure standing in a shadowy corner. Against the night sky, his silhouette was elongated by the moonlight, casting a halo around him. His chiseled features were breathtakingly handsome. It felt as if the entire world had faded into the background, leaving only his face in sharp focus.

Her heart began to race uncontrollably again. Damn it. Who was he trying to seduce, looking that good?