Chapter 653

The Cortez Sect leader sighed deeply.

"Who told you to act so arrogantly within the Special Operations Division?"

Evelyn raised an eyebrow.

"Old Mr. Wright made a mistake, but he's eighty years old."

"Our culture values respecting the elderly and cherishing the young."

"Punishing such an elderly man would damage the Division's reputation."

"I was thinking of the department's image."

The Cortez Sect leader paused.

"That... makes sense."

He turned to Marcus Wright.

"Mr. Wright, what do you think? Should the punishment still stand?"

Evelyn simply refused outright.

"I won't accept the punishment."

"If you insist on punishing me, then strip me of my martial arts and expel me from the sect."

Marcus Wright was speechless.

Evelyn's domineering behavior in the Special Operations Division had indeed embarrassed the entire department.

Marcus had invited his superior over to salvage some face for himself.

Originally, two hours of horse stance was already a light punishment.

Yet this person wouldn't even accept that?

Who would dare strip the First Senior Sister of her martial arts?

She was currently the strongest combat asset of the Special Operations Division!

The Cortez Sect leader looked at Marcus Wright.

"Mr. Wright, your decision?"

Marcus Wright took a deep breath.

"Today's incident might have been a misunderstanding."

"Let's just drop it."

"No punishment is needed."

He shot Evelyn a glare, then turned and walked away.

The Cortez Sect leader called after him.

"Mr. Wright, leaving already?"

"Won't you stay for a meal?"

"I'll have the First Senior Sister pour you a drink as an apology!"

Evelyn interjected.

"Master, you want me to apologize to him?"

"Then you might as well expel me right now."

Marcus Wright froze.

He immediately quickened his pace.

The First Senior Sister absolutely could not be expelled!

If that became his fault, who would the Special Operations Division rely on in the future?

After Marcus Wright and the other man left, Evelyn looked at her master with a raised brow.

"Your acting was a bit over the top."

The master waved a hand.

"Eh, I'm not winning any awards."

He then let out a yawn.

Evelyn studied him.

"Master, your dark circles are pretty heavy."

The master immediately looked at her.

"Isn't that because I thought you were dead?"

"I cried so much my eyes were ruined!"

"Dark circles appear so easily now!"

Evelyn replied flatly.

"...You stayed up late playing video games last night, didn't you?"

"Huh? How did you know?"

"..."

Evelyn and her master continued talking.

Alexander watched quietly from a distance.

He suddenly understood why Evelyn had been so confident about returning here.

A teacher for a day is a father for life.

Evelyn had found a good master.

Alexander lowered his gaze, a slight smile touching his lips.

The scene in the courtyard was warm.

Everyone watched Evelyn and her master bicker.

Finally, the master glared and made to kick her.

Evelyn dodged nimbly, bringing the scene to a close.

Alexander walked beside Evelyn, watching the smile on her lips.

He suddenly spoke.

"Evelyn, you seem different around your master."

Evelyn was taken aback.

"Different how?"

Alexander smiled.

"Around your master, you're more relaxed."

"Like a child."

"Your happiness and annoyance are written plainly on your face."

Evelyn was stunned.

She realized then that in this lifetime, she truly felt most at ease and comfortable in front of her master.

Their meeting had been full of amusing incidents.

Later, her master gave her five hundred dollars every day and taught her martial arts.

It wasn't until she understood her master was doing it for her own good that she gradually relaxed.

Evelyn's expression softened.

"My master really is like a father to me in my heart."

Alexander nodded.

He suddenly said, "I hope one day, you can be this relaxed around me too."

Evelyn was startled.

She looked at Alexander abruptly.

In the man's eyes, she saw hope and intense affection.

Evelyn knew she was cold on the outside and inside.

There were very few people she truly considered friends.

Even after being with Alexander for so long, she still couldn't relax the way she did in front of her master.

But Alexander had already tried so hard to give her a sense of security.

Evelyn spoke.

"I'm sorry."

"I've been distant with people since I was young."

"I'm just not used to it yet..."

"It's okay."

"I'll wait for you to get used to it."

"You met your master when you were fourteen."

"That's eight or nine years now."

"I can wait eight or nine years for you too."

"I believe one day, you'll be this relaxed around me as well."

A warmth spread in Evelyn's heart.

She nodded.

The two were about to say more when Ethan Valentine suddenly rushed in.

"Cousin! First Senior Sister! Something bad has happened!"

Evelyn was startled.

"What is it?"

Ethan immediately handed her his phone.

"Look at this exposé!"

Evelyn looked.

There was an anonymous post online.

It detailed how Evelyn had backed Old Mr. Wright within the Special Operations Division.

The poster omitted the Special Operations Division.

They only wrote that Old Mr. Wright was a spy, and Evelyn had mindlessly defended him...

Now the entire internet was condemning Evelyn!

Evelyn's jaw tightened.

Ethan spoke.

"It mentions the eldest daughter of the Ashcroft Group."

"Old Mr. Wright's name is also referred to indirectly."

"We didn't catch it at first."

"By the time we noticed, the topic had already gained traction!"

"We're deleting posts now, but public opinion is out of control!"