[The rewritten version of Two Gangs and a Golden Girl]
DO NOT ATTRACT ATTENTION UNLESS YOU ARE PREPARED FOR THE CONSEQUENCES.
Such is the law in Tygerwel, a town torn apart by a long history of bad blood.
19-year-old Amber Marigold can barely face t...
The game was at an impasse. Neither cyng had shown up to school since the date with Owen, and it seemed Amber honestly was given the space to choose. No doubt they hoped she could remove herself from the bet.
Either way, it worked out for the better. Final exams were a month away, and the girl needed all the help she could get. She was in Jessy's room, cursing maths, when Aunt Tessa knocked on the door. Other than a slight limp, she could walk on her own.
"Amber honey, could we talk?"
"Uh, yeah, sure," Amber said and followed her aunt out.
They walked to the dining room and sat across from each other at the table. Aunt Tessa clasped her hands together, her expression weighted, while Amber sat stiff as a board. She knows, the girl thought. She knows about my involvement with the Dynast. Why else is she so serious?
"I know," she started, gripping Amber's heart, "what I'm going to ask is too much. I've exhausted all other options. You have every right to refuse me, and I'll understand, but..." She sucked a breath. "I need to borrow a hundred thousand euros."
"Huh?" Amber thought she might have heard wrong.
Aunt Tessa cast her eyes down.
"I would get the money myself, but everything I have saved up is for Jessy, and I can't think of any other way," she clarified. "Of course, I'll pay you back. But as I said, it's completely up to you."
With the words sinking in, Amber managed to breathe again.
"What's the money for?'
Aunt Tessa checked over her shoulder, then sighed. "I can't tell you right now," she said. "All I can say is that it's important."
"Is this related to arresting the bloodlines?"
Her aunt nodded, and it was Amber's turn to sigh. There was likely no other police officer as committed. Borrowing thousands of euros just to do her job? When she could not even earn it back? The girl could only hope to be as selfless as her family.
And though lending the money could threaten Blake and Owen, it was not her problem. She owed them nothing, and this was potentially the third choice she so desperately needed. Avenging her parents did not have to be in blood. She could follow in their footsteps and fight back the right way. Get a shot at putting the bastards responsible behind bars.
"I'll do it," Amber said, reaching to squeeze her aunt's arm. "But promise me you'll catch the bad guys."
They held each other's stare, and both their jaws set.
"I promise," Aunt Tessa said. "Even if it's the last thing I do."
Though there was a smile on Amber's face, it felt stiff. This was what her parents would have wanted. This was what she wanted. Dismissing the emptiness in her chest, she reassured herself even hours later when she was alone in bed. Her phone lit up.
Mr President So, this is your choice, Marigold? 23:30
The girl did not answer. Instead, she texted her lawyer, asking Mr Lium to get €100 000 released for her aunt. When he asked why, she sent back a single word.
Amber Justice 23:48
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