Chapter 0092
Judy’s POV
I was momentarily stunned by Gavin’s words. Did he really think I was so cruel and manipulative that I would intentionally hurt someone just to get ahead? The only thing I wanted was to work hard and pay off my father’s debt, nothing more. I wasn’t interested in causing harm. If anyone was doing that, it was Ethan.
But I didn’t have to stand here and let him ridicule me. I was fed up with being underestimated and judged. I yanked my arm out of his grip, glaring up at him. My anger flared, and it was clear in my eyes.
“I don’t want to hurt anyone,” I said, my voice steady but edged with frustration. “I’m perfectly capable of being friends with your daughter without any hidden agenda. If you have a problem with it, maybe you should talk to her. She’s the one who invited me out, after all.”
I didn’t wait for his response. Turning on my heel, I hurried upstairs to catch up with Irene, my heart pounding in my chest. I could feel Gavin’s eyes boring into my back, but I refused to let him get to me. I didn’t care what he thought.
When I entered Irene’s bedroom, she was already busy picking out an outfit for me. She looked up and smiled when she saw me.
“Did father upset you?” she asked, her sharp eyes quickly reading my expression.
“No,” I lied, trying to sound casual. “He was just talking to me about Matt’s studies.”
Irene nodded, though I could see the skepticism in her gaze as she went back to rummaging through her wardrobe.
“Here, put this on,” she said, handing me a white crop top and a pair of Capri jeans.
I took the clothes and went into her bathroom to change. The outfit was a little tighter than I expected—it fit her better than it fit me—but it was comfortable, and honestly, it looked cute. I put on my shoes and brushed out my hair, letting it fall free from the tight braid I’d kept it in. A quick spritz of body spray, and I was ready.
When I walked out, Irene’s eyes lit up.
“You look amazing!” she exclaimed. “Here, put your dirty clothes in the hamper. The maids will take care of it.”
I hesitated for a moment before doing what she asked, dropping my sweaty workout clothes in the hamper by her closet. Irene looped her arm through mine, flashing me another smile.
“Come on,” she said, tugging me toward the stairs.
We headed downstairs together, and as we reached the bottom, I noticed Gavin standing by the front door, speaking to his driver, Leroy. Irene’s expression soured, and she folded her arms across her chest.
“What are you doing?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at her father.
“Leroy’s going to take you girls into the city,” he replied, his tone gruff.
“I was planning on driving my new car,” Irene pouted, clearly displeased.
“I’m not arguing about this,” Gavin growled, his irritation clear.
I wondered if his anger had anything to do with our earlier conversation, but I decided not to press it. I turned to look at Irene, whose frustration was palpable. She didn’t want Leroy driving us, but it was clear she had little say in the matter.
After a moment, she relented, muttering under her breath, and followed Leroy outside. I took one last glance at Gavin, but his face was unreadable. He looked at me briefly, and my stomach twisted nervously under his gaze. Without saying anything to him, I turned and followed Irene and Leroy.
We got into the backseat of the car, and Leroy climbed into the driver’s seat.
“I’m not in the mood for company,” Irene muttered as she crossed her arms, staring out the window.
“Leroy, roll up the window,” she ordered sharply, and he complied without a word. The partition between the front and back seats rose, offering us some semblance of privacy.
Irene let out a long, exasperated sigh.
“Everything okay?” I asked after a long stretch of silence.
She glanced at me, her eyes full of conflict.
“I just wanted to get away,” she murmured, her voice low. “Away from everything and everyone, but it’s hard when my father has his men watching me like I’m some kind of prisoner.”
I glanced at her, surprised. “It’s just Leroy,” I said, trying to reassure her. “He’s barely even paying attention.”
Irene rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed.
“If you think it’s only Leroy, then you’re seriously deranged,” she muttered. “Look behind us.”
I turned my head and saw the car trailing closely behind us. My breath caught when I recognized the driver—a Gamma from the Silver Crescent pack. His passenger, also a guard, seemed equally vigilant.
“Are those Gammas?” I asked in disbelief.
Irene sighed, her frustration evident. “Yes,” she said flatly. “My father never lets me go anywhere by myself. I’m always being watched. I was hoping, since I’m with you, things would be different.”
I felt a pang of disappointment. So, all this time, I thought she had wanted my company, but it seemed like she was just trying to escape the surveillance.
“Is that why you wanted me to come along?” I asked, my voice quiet. “So you wouldn’t be followed by your father’s men?”
Irene glanced at me, her frown deepening.
“Of course I wanted you to come,” she said, a hint of irritation in her voice. “I needed a friend. But I also wanted to go somewhere without my father’s shadow hanging over me every minute of the day.”
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. It wasn’t that I minded spending time with Irene—I just hadn’t realized the depth of her need to escape her father’s control.
We fell into a heavy silence as the car continued its journey into the city, the weight of the unspoken words hanging between us.
