The Billionaire Who Saved Me - Chapter 48: Chapter 48

The commotion outside drew attention from inside the orphanage. A short, wiry man stepped out, his sharp eyes glinting with cunning.
Though he hadn't witnessed Jack taking down the two thugs, he wasn't about to charge forward recklessly. "What's going on here? You two alright? Get up. Let's go to the hospital," he said, winking at the fallen thugs.
But the two men groaned, curled up in pain. "No. The boss will kill us if we come back empty-handed and with medical bills."
Hugo appeared. He was bruised, battered, sporting two black eyes and a split lip.
He nearly blurted out my name, but when he saw me, he caught himself just in time. "You here for money? Forget it! Not a single penny leaves this place." He stood defiant, like a martyr ready for sacrifice.
All my earlier fury evaporated at the sight of him.
Suddenly, dozens of children and staff rushed out, forming a protective circle around Hugo. The kids were unharmed, but some staff bore bruises.
They armed themselves with whatever they could—spoons, kitchen knives, or bare fists. Against opponents twice their size, these "weapons" were little more than symbolic resistance.
Tension crackled in the air as the children and staff eyed us warily, convinced we were just more extortionists.
Several kids shouted, "Don't hurt Hugo!"
"We'll protect you, Hugo."
"No matter what, we stick together."
The three thugs, realizing they had stirred a hornet's nest. Knowing that they were no match for Jack, they tried to slink away. But Jack blocked their path.
They eyed Jack warily. Jack approached them and murmured something, too low for me to catch. But the effect was instant. The three men paled, their fear deeper than when Jack had broken the two thugs' bones moments earlier.
"Our mistake. We didn't recognize you," one thug said. "We'll tell our boss to back off. No more trouble here." Then, they practically bowed their way out.
Jack told me, "Miss, they won't be coming back."
I nodded, curiosity itching. I wanted to ask how he managed that, but I had something more important to talk to Hugo, so I headed toward the courtyard.
Jack didn't follow me inside. He stood guard at the entrance.
As I removed my sunglasses, recognition flashed across the crowd. The children's bravery dissolved into shaky sobs, the adrenaline crash hitting hard.
Soon, the whole yard echoed with sobbing. My eyes stung a bit, but I knew this circus needed to end.
Hugo ushered the kids inside before gesturing to his office. "Let's talk."
I had come here ready to tear into Hugo, but seeing him battered and bruised made it hard to stay angry.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Gordon," Hugo said, lowering his head. "This is my fault. I caused you trouble."
"You did," I said bluntly. "My phone's been ringing nonstop with every kind of lunatic imaginable."
Mason's words echoed in my head—Never coddle those who create messes. Somehow, I was starting to think like him.
Hugo nodded miserably. "I know. I wanted to apologize in person, but I couldn't even leave."
I knew he was telling the truth. Before I could respond, a familiar voice cut in. "I warned you. Blind kindness always backfires. Now you see."
I didn't need to turn to know it was Mason, smug as ever.
"Here to gloat?" I snapped. If he hadn't donated in my name, none of this would've happened.
Ignoring me, Mason addressed Hugo. "You're in deep trouble. If you don't reveal the donor's name tomorrow, your 'good days' are over."
Hugo recognized Mason from the last donation visit. "I'd never betray you two," Hugo said firmly. "I've messed up once, not again. I only hope the new director treats the kids well. It's what my mother would've wanted."
"Marlee Watson was your mother?" I gasped.
Hugo nodded. "Yeah."
I was just about to ask why he had kept this secret, but Mason interrupted, "Do you really think the new director will care for them?"
Hugo looked down, silent.
We all knew the answer. A director hired for money would only chase more money. Soon, those millions would vanish—"reallocated" for "administrative costs" or straight into someone's pocket. The kids would see pennies.
Anger surged through me. "How can anyone be so shameless? Skimming money meant for orphans?"
Mason scoffed, "Honestly, are you naive or just plain stupid? The orphanage gets government funds. It's barely enough, but the kids won't starve. Seven million dollars? That's more than this county's annual revenue. Of course, vultures are circling."
Still unsatisfied, he turned his ire on Hugo. "And you, announcing the donation in the papers like it was a damn buffet invitation."
I glared at Mason's annoyingly perfect face. "Oh, of course, you've never made a mistake. Got a solution or just more lectures? My phone is unusable now."
"Change your number. No other way." Mason slid a folder from his briefcase onto Hugo's desk. "Take a look at this."
Hugo pulled out a stack of papers—the top sheet stamped with official state seals. His hands trembled before he finished reading. "Thank you. Thank you."
"What does it say?" I asked.
I took the document from the director. It stated that the donation was strictly for designated use only—no diversions, no administrative fees. Hugo was named sole custodian, reporting directly to the state comptroller. No local officials could get a cent.