Saving the Villain

Cosette raised her hand in the middle of the third subject, signaling to the teacher she wanted to use the bathroom. The teacher simply nodded as he continued his lecture. As she pushed herself up, she glanced in Maxen's seat to tell him she would be back, only to see him sleeping on his desk.

'It's been a while since I saw him sleep during class, but I guess they had a rough night.' Cosette mentally shook her head at the thought that something had happened last night. Whatever it was, she was certain it must be something huge.

Cosette left the classroom quietly, stopping in the corridor. She looked back and instead of heading to the restroom; she made a turn on the stairs to search for Luke. She said it earlier that she would drag him back to the classroom by means or foul if he skipped again.

"I swear if I saw him hanging out with those delinquents again, I'll beat some senses into him." Cosette cracked her knuckles angrily. "He better not."

Her eyes lit up, prepared to beat Luke up if that was the only way to get through him. She could take any of his tantrums and let his insensitive being, but Cosette wouldn't allow him to ruin his life and leave a record that he would carry all his life.

Even though Cosette wasn't particularly close to Luke in her previous life, she knew his life and struggles. Their circle was rather small; the Blac Family and the Quinns had a tight-knit relationship. Hence, it was obvious she would hear rumors and stories here and there in passing.

'In the past, Luke seemed to have always hated Asher. And they deemed him as the problematic child, but… didn't he do all that so the elders and their uncles wouldn't have other choices but to protect Asher?' Cosette ground her teeth.

No one told her this side of the story, but she was sharp enough to put the pieces together because Luke was smart. Luke was just as capable as Asher, if only Luke was a bit interested in the family business. However, in a family as wealthy, influential, and as powerful as the Quinns, internal conflicts weren't a surprise. Luke didn't want to become Asher's problem — at least, not a problem in that sense.

'Even so… it's not fair.' Her frown deepened as she got closer to the back of the school where she found Luke hanging out with the delinquents last week. 'I won't let him live to hear the elders' comparing him to his brother.'

It might sound complicated, but Cosette only planned to help Luke live a freer life. Of course, she wasn't dumb, nor was she a superhero to stop the elders from comparing Luke and Asher right in front of the boys' faces. They couldn't control what others would say.

However, she wanted to help Luke not to get affected by the comparisons. Watching him ruin his school life and get close to the delinquents would only deter Luke from having a stronger mindset. This would only be used to his disadvantage and become a stain in his records.

"That fool…" Cosette ground her teeth and stopped at the delinquent's spot, calling, "Luke!"

The delinquents, who were either sleeping or gambling early in the morning at the back of the school, turned to Cosette. Their brows furrowed, tilting their heads, wondering what was the school bell doing in here again.

"Huh? Where is he?" Cosette frowned, glossing her eyes over their faces, but didn't see Luke anywhere. "Have you seen Luke?"

"The handsome boy?" someone asked, and Cosette nodded. "Haven't seen him anywhere here."

"Oh…" Cosette rocked her head, a bit relieved to hear their response.

"I think I saw him going to the rooftop!" someone yelled.

"Oh!" Her eyes lit up as she hadn't checked there yet, assuming Luke was hanging out with them again. "Alright. Thank you for your help!"

Cosette turned around and was about to run away when she stopped. She walked backward, looking at the delinquents with a smile.

"You guys are nicer than I thought," she remarked, facing them with her hands on her hips. "I wonder why are you here and not in your classes?"

"Booooring!" someone yelled, almost sounding like a boo.

"Oy, pretty girl. You're very pretty, but if you plan to lecture us, just go away. Unless you want to date me, then I don't mind being scolded by my girlfriend and becoming a better human for my wife."

'Wow… did I just evolve to wife in just one statement?' her under-eye twitched, looking at the student in disbelief. Cosette folded her arms under her chest, keeping her lips in a thin line.

"So, you guys don't plan on doing anything and just skipping classes?" she asked, and they all looked at her with a dull expression. "Very well. I take it as you guys are available to take some sidelines?"

"Ah?? Are you fucking with us?"

"I'm too lazy to even take the stairs. That's why I sleep here all day!" someone complained in an annoyed tone. "How the hell do you expect me to do something that will make my auntie proud?"

Her face contorted, listening to their twisted complaint. 'These idiots…' A vein protruded on her temple, grinding her teeth, telling herself to not choose violence.

"Those who are interested, I'm willing to give you guys handsome pay." Cosette sported a smile and raised her hand, showing an ok gesture. "The job is simple, though. All you need to do is tell this guy Remo and his lackeys that I was hiring you guys to beat him up."

"Huh???" all of them scrunched their nose up, looking at her as if she was an idiot.

"You want us to beat that crazy juvenile kid?" someone asked out of plain curiosity, watching Cosette shake her head.

"No. I said it clearly. I'm not saying to beat him up, but let him know I hired you guys to beat him up. Of course, you can't beat him up since you don't want to die, right?" She kept her angelic smile, which contradicted her vicious remarks. "In other words, you'll deliver me to hell. How's that sound?"

The delinquents furrowed their brows and looked at each other. When they looked back at her once again, they tilted their heads, wondering that Cosette might be a beauty, but she was a little unhinged to purposely invite trouble. Well, one couldn't have it all, right?