Babel Novel
Chapter 1264
Flora slipped quietly into the Enforcement Division's training grounds, her intuition telling her there was something fishy about Hawthorn. Maybe she was overthinking, but it never hurt to be a bit cautious.
Rory stood respectfully beside her. "Ma'am, I looked into it. Jacob and Carly got stuck with cleaning the restrooms, just over there." He gestured in the direction and started to lead Flora.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
"Cleaning restrooms?" Flora's eyebrows knitted together. "What did they do to deserve that?"
"Seems like they messed up somehow, but I don't really have the details," Rory admitted, scratching his head awkwardly. Managing hundreds of people meant he couldn't keep track of everything, and when it came to Jacob and Carly, their instructor Hawthorn would know best. Little did Rory suspect that Hawthorn might have it in for them.
Without a word, Flora headed off in the direction Rory had indicated. Sensing trouble, Rory quickly tagged along.
As they neared the public restroom, they stumbled upon a sight that drained the color from Rory's face.
Inside, Jacob and Carly were grudgingly scrubbing the floor, a task they'd never imagined doing.
"I had a feeling," Jacob said, flinging his rag into the bucket. "Hawthorn's in cahoots with Kenneth, right?" "Looks like it," Carly nodded.
It all made sense now! Being chummy with Teddy but rough on them-it had to be on Sydney's orders.
"Damn it!" Jacob cursed, frustration bubbling over. "That jerk Teddy's been acting like he owns the place, just because he's got connections in the Enforcement Division!"
His shoulders slumped in defeat. Having someone to back you up really was a big deal. Without any allies, they were just easy targets for bullying.
"It's open day today, and Hawthorn wouldn't even let us go," Carly fumed. "Probably afraid we'd tell our parents."
"Oh, someone's feeling salty-" came an obnoxious voice from behind them.
Next thing they knew, their bucket was kicked over, spilling dirty water everywhere. Teddy stood there, hands stuffed in his pockets, grinning smugly. "You out of your mind?" Jacob shot up, shouting.
"Look at you two, hitting rock bottom and still shouting at me?" Teddy chuckled. "It's lively out there on open day, but you're stuck here. Isn't that just sad?" "Mind your own business!" Carly snapped through gritted teeth.
Teddy's smirk widened. "Listen, if you'd just butter me up a bit, you wouldn't have to suffer like this. Kenneth's the big-shot captain of the ninth squad, my brother-in-law, and Hawthorn's his lackey. He calls me Master Teddy with respect. Messing with me's just asking for trouble. How about you kneel and give me three kowtows, and I'll tell Hawthorn to back off, alright?"
His tone was dripping with arrogance, treating Jacob and Carly like playthings.
Could they let that slide? No way!
Unable to hold back, Jacob slapped the rag right onto Teddy's face. "Screw you! Teddy, I've had enough!"
With that, Jacob swung his fist at Teddy. The rag reeked with a fout stench, making Teddy almost gag. Humiliated and fuming, he glared with malice. "You're biting off more than you can chew..."
Thinking Jacob's skills were no match for his Teddy watched Jacob's punch come flying, a dangerous glint in his eyes. Maybe it was time to teach those unruly hands a lesson. With Hawthorn and Kenneth in his corner, he figured any trouble could be swept under the rug.