Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

Fiona rubbed her wrist, her eyes locked on Louise with a mix of impatience and authority. "Come on out."

Everyone around them paused, unsure who Fiona was addressing. It wasn't until they followed her gaze that they realized she meant Louise. What could Fiona possibly want with her, and why the harsh tone?

"Got the nerve to do it but not to own up, huh?" Fiona leaned against the doorframe, her dark eyes icy and relentless.

Louise's hands, which had been resting at her sides, clenched into fists. She certainly hadn't expected Fiona to confront her right in the middle of class, and with such audacity. With curious eyes now fixed on her, she had little choice but to face the situation head-on or risk fueling the rumor mill.

Taking a deep breath, she plastered on a smile and approached with an air of calmness. "Ms. Fiona, what are you on about?" she asked, feigning innocence. "I know you've had a rough time lately, and you're probably feeling terrible, but barging into my class and causing a scene isn't the way to handle it. You're disrupting everyone's focus here."

She walked right up to Fiona, her eyes clear and steady, which only made Fiona's aggressive demeanor more glaring. Standing about a meter from Fiona, she turned to Nash. "And Nash, seriously? Why didn't you try to stop this? Why get caught up in this nonsense?" Her voice carried a note of weary resignation.

Louise had always been seen in a positive light at school, and this situation made her classmates feel for her, almost rallying against Fiona in their minds. But with Nash and the guys from class 9 looming behind Fiona, tall and intimidating, they swallowed their protests. Fiona regarded Louise with a detached calm, listening to her words before letting out a chuckle. "Still playing the innocent card, huh? You really think I'm that easy-going?"

She gave a tight-lipped smile, then swiftly straightened up, stepped forward, and with a quick motion, seized Louise by the collar.

Louise was caught off guard, the grip on her collar was firm, pulling her forward awkwardly, her hair falling messily around her face. Fiona's cool hand tapped lightly but firmly on her cheek. "Have I been too soft on you?"

"Hmm?"

Ever since arriving in Cedarvale, Fiona had no intention of stepping on anyone's toes, yet Louise kept pushing her buttons. Did she really think Fiona was a pushover? noveldrama

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Q.UMS

The first few incidents were one thing, but this time-this time, Louise had the audacity to incite a kidnapping. Was she out of her mind? "Fiona, you—"

Louise's face went pale, not having

anticipated such a bold move from Fiona. The hand on her face felt

yet searing, a heat borne from humiliation.

cold

Her cheeks flushed with anger, she tried to shake Fiona off, but her grip was unyielding, leaving her in an even more compromised position. "Nash-"

She shot a pleading look at Nash.

Nash watched, silent and conflicted. They had history-Louise had helped him countless times. After a moment's pause, he spoke, "Fiona, are you saying Louise orchestrated your kidnapping?"

"It's not a suspicion," Fiona replied with a dry laugh. "It's a certainty."

Absolutely certain.

"Fiona, don't push it! What does your kidnapping have to do with me!" Louise yelled, like a cat with its tail stepped on, "Let go of me, now!"