Chapter 40

Alanna gave Renee an exasperated smile. "There's no need for that. Just don't be so rash in the future."

Renee pouted. "They were really out of line, though."

Alanna laughed. "It doesn't matter. Words can't hurt me."

It still didn't stop Renee from getting upset on Alanna's behalf. "Even so, we can't just let them talk about you like that! That Melanie Smith isn't a good person. She's clearly a conniving bitch. I don't know why Mr. Florentine likes her. Is he blind?"

"Watch your mouth," Alanna said, exasperated. "If he heard you say that, I won't be able to save you again."

Renee shut up obediently. After a while, she exclaimed, "Ms. Jacinto, your lips are bleeding! Did you not drink enough water?"

Alanna pursed her lips, feeling the wound where Hades had bitten her. Keeping her expression neutral, she said, "Yeah, I didn't."

…

Toward the end of the day, Alanna received a call from Chelsey.

They met up at a dessert cafe. When Alanna arrived, she had already ordered herself a l