Chapter 15

"Sir, here's a towel!" A student hastily handed over a dry towel.

Andrew Smith took it but didn't use it on himself. Instead, he removed his camouflage jacket and wrapped it around Luna White. The girl was drenched, her thin summer clothes clinging to her body, revealing her curves. He frowned—this crowd was too large, and he wouldn't let her be humiliated.

Luna coughed violently, her fingers clutching the front of her shirt. She could feel the familiar power stirring within her—her supernatural ability had returned.

But she wouldn’t use it now. She wanted everyone to see the proof—her disheveled state was undeniable evidence that Clara White had pushed her into the water.

"Luna!" Jack White rushed over, genuine tears in his eyes this time. "You scared me half to death!"

Mayor George Clark also exhaled in relief and quickly stepped forward to shake Andrew’s hand. "Thank you so much, young man! If it weren’t for you—"

"You’re the mayor?" Andrew cut him off, his gaze sharp.

"Yes, yes. I’m George Clark, mayor of Willowbrook Village."

Andrew pointed to the dam. "We saw someone push her in. That’s attempted murder. The police should be called immediately." His voice was calm, but it sent a chill through the crowd.

Jack panicked. If this went to the police, how would his family ever hold their heads high in the village again?

"It’s a misunderstanding, sir!" He wrung his hands anxiously. "Just a family quarrel. My mother didn’t mean to—"

Mayor Clark chimed in, "That’s right, young man. It’s just a domestic matter..."

Luna sneered. Of course. As long as no one died, who would care about an orphan like her?

Clara lunged forward, arms outstretched to embrace her. "Granny was wrong! But you threatened to take me down with you—"

Luna shrank back, her voice barely a whisper. "I... I slipped..."

Andrew’s frown deepened. She was clearly lying.

"Even if it was an accident, there should be consequences." He fixed his gaze on Mayor Clark. "Where are her parents?"

"The poor girl lost them years ago..." Sweat beaded on the mayor’s forehead. These military cadets weren’t easily fooled.

"Mayor." Andrew raised his voice abruptly. "You need to handle this fairly today."

Mayor Clark stiffened, then turned and barked at Jack, "You heard him! Hand over the keys to Luna’s house right now, or your family won’t get a single grain of relief rations this year!"

Jack’s eyes darted around. He could agree now and figure things out later...

"Now." Andrew’s voice was icy. "We’ll go with you to get them."

Luna’s head snapped up, meeting Andrew’s steady gaze. He gave her a slight nod, as if to say: Don’t worry. We’ve got you.

Her nose stung, and she rasped, "Sir... could you help me clean up my house?"

Andrew bent down to help her up, the scent of soap and sunlight clinging to his uniform.

"Listen up," he called to his students. "We finish what we start."

The wind over the dam suddenly felt warm.