"Looking for me? You-you stay away!"
At the sight of Lorne's smile, Hazel instinctively took a step back, panic filling her eyes.
Looking for me-what did he want with me?
Blackmail? But he seemed to be getting along so well with Mother. That didn't seem right... Oh! I promised to do things for him!
She finally remembered their agreement that day. James Scott would keep her secret, and in return, she would do a few things for him.
I did promise, but-but how could you come straight to my house? This was going too far!
"You-how could you come to my house?!" Anger at having her safe haven invaded, mixed with overwhelming shame, briefly suppressed Hazel's fear. With tears still streaking her face, she demanded an answer in a trembling voice.
"Ahem-"
Before Lorne could answer, her mother Liana cleared her throat, her displeasure unmistakable.
"Hazel, you're being terribly rude." Liana's gaze swept over her daughter's disheveled nightdress, a clear note of reproach in her voice.
"What?" Hazel failed to understand at first. Her attention was entirely fixed on the unwelcome "intruder."
"Heh." Seeing her bewilderment, Lorne couldn't help chuckling.
That chuckle instantly cleared Hazel's head. As she saw the corners of Lorne's mouth lift further, she suddenly realized something.
Look at me-hair everywhere, wearing a nightdress, barefoot, tears all over my face... Worst of all, James Scott had seen every bit of this utterly humiliating state!
"Ah!!!"
A piercing shriek burst from her throat.
Embarrassment, humiliation, resentment-all those tangled emotions flooded her mind like water bursting through a dam, leaving her brain completely frozen. She instinctively covered her face and abruptly crouched down, wishing she could dig a hole and bury herself in it.
It wouldn't be gentlemanly to keep watching. Lorne promptly restrained his smile and discreetly turned