Everyone present looked at each other, amazed at the girl's bravery.
I picked up the broken hearing aid from the ground and calmly said, "This hearing aid is a custom version worth thirty thousand dollars. How are you gonna compensate?"
Birdie looked terrified, glancing desperately at the man who was watching.
Aidan stepped forward, wrapping his arms around my waist, and softened his tone to calm me down. "Lucie, she didn't mean it. I'll cover the cost of the broken hearing aid."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
Whether Aubree was careless or intentional, anyone with eyes could see.
He almost indulged Birdie, with no questions asked or no blame.
I locked eyes with him, a bit forceful in my tone. "I can let go of her compensation, but she must sincerely apologize to me!"
Birdie lifted her misty eyes, looking pitiful.
Softly, she pleaded. "Mr. White..."
Aidan hid the young girl behind him, afraid I'd confront his Birdie.
He raised an eyebrow. "Lucie, I always thought you were reasonable. When did you start sweating the small stuff?"
Tears welled up from my eyes. "This hearing aid was my mom's legacy. She just broke it like that? Aidan, am I overreacting, or have you changed?"
A broken hearing aid could be replaced, but it was my mom's legacy!
Birdie shrank behind Aidan, submissive on the surface but defiant in her eyes.
Aidan's expression turned cold. "Lucie, don't go too far!"
My eyes were red from holding back tears stubbornly. "I just want her to apologize, and you're upset?"
Aidan's s also thought he was overreacting, coming over to try to mediate.
"Aidan, you've been with Lucie for seven years. Can't you talk this out?"
"Miss Brooks, it's getting late. You have class tomorrow morning! Let us take you home first!"
Birdie tugged at the man's sleeve, wanting him to choose between me and her.
Aidan gripped my wrist tightly, almost crushing my bones.
"Aubree's timid. You scared her!"
I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug in, tears flowing like a ceasefire.
"Aidan, let's break up!"
A hint of anger flashed in his eyes. "Lucie, what are you stirring up now?"
Aidan and I were each other's first loves, entangled for years.
This time, he went too far.
Aidan found me dirty.
His company faced a crisis, falling out with partners.
Because of equity disputes, his former bestie became his enemy.
He bribed thugs to kidnap Aidan's mother, seeking severe revenge.