Chapter 8

Jonathan noticed Gregory's scrutinizing look and sneered. "What? You think I stole something?" This hit a sensitive spot, and Gregory, unable to maintain his composure, quickly shifted back to the main topic. "Jonathan, if you don't behave, I'll have no choice but to use the Campbell family's power to pressure you." After saying this, he glared at the frightened girl trembling behind Jonathan. Michelle's eyelashes fluttered, her small, fair hands gripping Jonathan's shirt tightly. Jonathan caught the implication—Gregory was hinting at using force to transfer her to another school. "Mr. Campbell, looks like you're not very smart," he said indifferently. "Are you trying to let the whole Satbury know that I don't like Stella, and the Campbell family is using all sorts of coercive methods to force me into this marriage?" Gregory's expression cracked, his eyes filled with shock. "By then, everyone will think that Stella is nothing but a clingy sycophant—someone I don't like, yet who insisted on using a marriage alliance to force me to marry her." Jonathan's tone remained cold and indifferent. "It's not just the Campbell family's reputation at stake, but the Cooper family's as well. Don't you think I'm right, Mr. Campbell?" The way Jonathan called him "Mr. Campbell" grated on Gregory's nerves, making him especially frustrated. Was it so hard to just call him "Dad"? And when did Jonathan become so sharp-witted? Gregory hadn't even considered the severe consequences this coercion could bring. It would be a huge loss if it caused tension between the Campbell and Cooper families. How annoying! Having held a position of power for so many years, he was used to manipulating and coercing others. Who would have thought that Jonathan would so effortlessly dismantle his schemes with just a few words? Furthermore, he couldn't think of any way to mount a strong counterattack. Since the hard approach wouldn't work, he had no choice but to opt for a softer one. Growing impatient, he calmed down and tried to make his expression appear more kind. "Jon, Stella is a good girl. You two have known each other for three years now. You're in your senior year, and studies are important, so I won't push you about marriage for now. "But after the college entrance exams, I hope you can clear up the misunderstandings and get along as friends." "Misunderstanding? I did bully Frederick, and I bullied him many times," Jonathan said with a sarcastic smile. "But how can you call it a misunderstanding? I've always been a disobedient troublemaker and rebellious." Gregory's expression darkened. Jonathan's mouth was like a machine gun, with every word aimed straight at his heart. "Jonathan, what will it take for you to behave??" Gregory asked, gritting his teeth. "I'll agree to everything except kicking Frederick out of the family." Jonathan shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh. Forget it then." "Money! I'll give you money. Is that okay?" Gregory didn't believe Jonathan didn't need money, thinking he must need them now. "How much do you want?" "I don't want it," Jonathan said with a smirk. Gregory was helpless. This was the first time he faced such a troublesome situation. Eleanor burst into tears, and Winona frowned and took her away. Isabella and Stephanie reluctantly followed. Enraged, Gregory threw his cigarette butt to the ground and angrily stomped on it several times. "Jonathan, you're completely out of control! What has our family ever done to wrong you? "When you made a mistake, we disciplined you to make you a better person. You said you excelled in junior high school, but you've fallen behind since high school, while Frederick and Stella keep striving for the top, ranking first and second. And you? You gave up on yourself, neglecting your studies! "Frederick is honest, but you? You're dishonest! You even stole Stephanie's jewelry! You're jealous, narrow-minded, indifferent to your family, and morally corrupt! "I tried to nurture you, but you didn't work hard. You chose to be useless, thinking only about bullying Frederick for the love and affection we showered him with. You don't deserve to be a member of the Campbell family!" Gregory was filled with righteous indignation, but Jonathan remained unmoved by Gergory's words, his expression as steady and composed as ever. He yawned, a half-smile on his lips. "Sorry, I spaced out. What did you say? Could you repeat it?" "You!" Gregory's expression changed. He was enraged, but it felt like he was punching cotton. He then stormed off in frustration. The atmosphere quieted once more, and Jonathan glanced back. Behind him, Michelle's eyes were clear but filled with tears. When she saw him looking at her, she looked pitiful, her voice full of grievance. "Jonathan, they... they were so mean to me." He raised an eyebrow. "They're just a bunch of clowns. Don't be afraid. I'll protect you." "Mhm." She nodded eagerly. She spotted a store nearby and pointed toward it with a bright smile. "Jonathan, let me treat you to something." Jonathan couldn't refuse and decided he could just treat her next time. "Alright." She excitedly grabbed his hand. He froze, feeling the warmth of her hand on his palm. Before he could react, she was already pulling him toward the store. As they stopped before the store, light rain began to fall. The sound of the rain was clear and soothing. Michelle looked inside the store and suggested, "Jonathan, there's not much here. Let me just buy the whole store." The store owner immediately smiled and said, "This is a store inside Gracefield High School. Even if you want to buy it, I can't sell it to you." Jonathan pulled her aside. "Just get some fruit." Michelle blinked. "That's not much. This is my first time treating you." He sighed. "It's the thoughts that count." With that, he began to pick out some fruit. She hesitated, gazing at his profile, her eyes lingering. Once he finished selecting the fruit and looked outside at the heavy rain, he turned to the man casually eating nuts and watching a dating show. "Sir, do you have any umbrellas?" "Nope, no one ever buys umbrellas here, so I don't stock them," the man replied, shifting his gaze from the screen to them. He glanced at Jonathan and then at Michelle. "You've got that hooded jacket, right? You two can squeeze together; it should keep you both dry." Michelle's face reddened immediately. Jonathan explained helplessly, "We're not a couple." "Ah, I understand. High schoolers, huh? You can't be too open about it. Just run quickly, and don't get caught by the teachers," the young man said with a knowing look. Jonathan was speechless. What did he even understand? He looked up at the sky as the rain turned from light to heavy. He unzipped his jacket. "Can you bear with it for a while?" Michelle blushed and nodded. Jonathan paused momentarily, then wrapped his arm around her slender shoulders and pulled her close. Her heart raced. Then, he ran into the rain with her. Michelle was so nervous that her palms were sweaty, and she occasionally glanced up at him shyly. When Jonathan lowered his gaze to check if she was getting wet, she quickly averted her gaze, flustered.