Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 447: Chapter 447

I asked Yaeger, "Why are you helping me?"
After leaving the principal's office, I was nearly in a panic, my steps quickening as I almost broke into a run to catch up with him. At that moment, my eyes were full of suspicion, my gaze fixed firmly on the seemingly indifferent young man before me.
We hadn't had much interaction, not even a word spoken between us.
Yaeger had his hands casually tucked into his suit pockets, exuding an air of nonchalance. His lips curled into a slight smirk. "Why don't you ask me why I've been standing by, doing nothing until now?"
His voice held a teasing tone, and his eyes sparkled with amusement, but I couldn't bring myself to entertain the joke. Because I knew, I wasn't the only one who had stood by.
No one would help, because once someone stepped in, they would become the new target, and no one was naive enough to ignore that reality.
Besides, in a class where bullying was rampant, the only students who were constantly victimized were the ones without connections.
I spoke flatly, my tone mixed with a stubborn defensiveness. "We don't even know each other. You not helping me is only natural."
Yaeger seemed to be taken aback by my words. Suddenly, he leaned forward, his face coming dangerously close to mine.
His smile vanished in an instant, his long eyelashes quivering with his breaths, and his expression shifted, growing serious, as if he had become a completely different person.
"I've always wanted to ask you," his voice lowered, filled with curiosity, "Why do you tolerate those girls bullying you? If it were anyone else, they would have fought back long ago."
I scoffed, bitter self-mockery lacing my laugh. I hadn't expected him to ask that. It was as if he didn't understand the cruelty of this world.
If I had fought back, they would have hurt me more. As long as they didn't kill me, it would be fine. After all, in the eyes of those rich kids, kids from ordinary families were nothing more than playthings for their amusement.
"Do you think fighting back would work?" I countered, my voice dripping with frustration. "If I fight back, I'll just invite more trouble. They have money and power, and I just want to quietly study."
Yaeger looked at me, his eyes flashing with complex emotions—surprise, confusion, but mostly an expression of helplessness and pity.
"So, you've always endured this, hiding your strength just to avoid being bullied by them?" His tone carried disbelief.
I raised my head, meeting his eyes with a defiant, yet questioning look. "And you? Why suddenly help me now? Isn't being a bystander easier? Isn't that what everyone has been doing?"
I felt confused. He was a recent transfer student; he shouldn't have gotten involved in this mess. He was handsome and apparently talented in art, a special admission to the school. Someone like him had no reason to antagonize the bullies. The consequences could be severe.
Yaeger didn't seem to expect such a direct question. He appeared slightly embarrassed, as if I had seen through something he hadn't meant to reveal.
After a pause, he scoffed and tried to hide his discomfort, "Actually, I've always wondered just how far you'd let yourself be pushed. Seems like you do have things you care about, and you know how to fight back."
I laughed bitterly, a surge of anger rising in me. "Am I just your experiment? If I hadn't fought back, would you have just stayed out of it?"
I stared hard at him, hoping to find the answer in his eyes.
Yaeger silently nodded, pausing for a moment, then shook his head. A faint smile tugged at his lips, one that seemed to carry a touch of gentleness. "Honestly, I'm happy you fought back. And yes, helping you does have my own motives. I want you to tutor me. You're good at your studies. You should be top three in the school, but you've been hiding your true potential."
His words made my heart skip. I hadn't realized that my carefully hidden secret had been noticed by a newcomer.
"Don't worry, if you agree to tutor me, I'll pay you." Yaeger paused, his eyes glinting with a mischievous smile. "I know you never like owing anyone, right?"
I bit my lip, considering for a moment, before replying, "Alright, I'll agree. But only if I'm still allowed to stay in school."
I knew deep down that I wasn't entirely sure the principal would be willing to offend the influential girls for a transfer student's sake.
Later, I would learn that Yaeger's background wasn't ordinary. He seemed to know the school's board of directors. Thanks to his backing, I managed to stay in the school. From that point on, I became Yaeger's personal assistant.
Every day, I arrived early at school to help him take notes. During breaks, I'd clean out his desk, which was often filled with love letters and chocolates sent by adoring girls.
Though some people still looked down on me, and others continued to taunt me, things had improved dramatically compared to before.
Thanks to Yaeger's presence, not only did I face less bullying, but I also managed to resolve some financial difficulties. It was during this tutoring experience that I realized the power of financial independence. Only when I controlled my own money could I have power over it.
Days passed, and Yaeger achieved his dream of attending the high school he wanted. I also performed well academically, and secretly, I applied to the same high school as him.
However, after an unexpected encounter one summer, the smiling boy who had once been by my side disappeared from my life entirely.
It wasn't until years later that I realized Yaeger's academic performance wasn't as poor as it seemed. He must have known I intentionally missed a few questions during each exam. He had also seen through my difficult situation and my pride, which was why he had offered me money under the guise of tutoring.
Suddenly, a ringing phone jolted me from my memories.
Sophina's anxious voice came through, "Laurel, Marvin just rushed downstairs in a hurry."
Marvin had barely escaped death earlier, and now Sophina was keeping an eye on him. But unexpectedly, that fool had sneaked out?
A sudden tightness gripped my chest. I hung up and immediately called Marvin, but the call went unanswered.
When I tried again, the phone showed as switched off.
There was no way Marvin would turn off his phone while on a mission. What was going on?