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So low I can barely hear her, she mumbles, “She was mean”

My stride hitches, anger rearing its head inside of ly “She was mean to you? How?”

Cate starts to tell es her o back and pay good attention”

“No” I tip her chin up and herd her closer to ame We’re blocked from view by the SUV now and my driver is discreet as they come, but anyone could walk past, not toloo our direction “If she was unkind to you, sweetheart, I want to know about it”

My stepsister shakes her head, mouth in a stubborn line

“Cate”

After a et rid of utter trash”

Red bloo

How dare anyone insult this guileless girl?

How could anyone live with the on her spirit?

I hear footsteps behindin our direction “There you are” She laughs nervously and hands Cate a pair of sandals, which my stepsister puts on quickly And I definitely don’t miss the way the tutor’s eyes harden when she looks at Cate “After you jumped out of the tree, I couldn’t find you Shall we resume your lessons now?”

“No She won’t be resu Cate fro to apologize to my stepsister first or you can count on me to be your worst reference I doubt a bad revieill be taken lightly coovernor”

Justine’s pinchedto impress on her the importance of—”

“Still waiting on that apology” I tug Cate up against my side “Direct it at her, please Not me And you better hope she accepts it”

The tutor bows at the waist, sputtering “I’m so sorry, Cate I was terribly out of line”

“Keep going,” I say coldly