Sarah Anderson's motives were straightforward.
She wanted to push Tyler Thomas into the center of attention in Crestview City—and let Elizabeth Wright know that Tyler was absolutely not a useless loser!
Of course, if Tyler couldn't handle the pressure, Sarah would naturally give up on him.
----
By evening, I was carrying a pile of herbs, preparing to head home.
As I reached the entrance of the neighborhood, I was startled to find Sarah Anderson standing there.
She was wearing a white dress, her long hair fluttering in the breeze. Anyone walking by would have to take another look.
Seeing her, I quickly jogged over.
"Miss Sarah, what are you doing here?" I asked.
Sarah rolled her eyes and said, "Obviously, I came to see you."
This left me somewhat flattered and a little unsure of how to respond as I scratched my head.
"What's that in your hands?" Sarah's gaze shifted to the herbs I was holding.
"Oh, just some Chinese medicinal herbs I bought," I replied.
Sarah reached out and took the herbs from my hands, jokingly saying, "Oh, so Doctor Tyler is out treating diseases now, huh?"
I scratched my head and laughed awkwardly. "Not exactly. I don't know how to explain it to you..."
Sarah sniffed the herbs and teased, "These herbs seem useless now, don't they? Why did you even buy them?"
I opened my mouth but couldn't find the words to explain.
"No money to buy better ones?" Sarah blinked as though she could see right through my embarrassment.
I nodded, looking visibly awkward.
Sarah burst into laughter, then casually tossed the pile of herbs into the nearby trash can.
"I'll get you some good ones next time," Sarah said with a smile.
I quickly shook my head and said, "No, no, Miss Sarah, I already owe you too much..."
Sarah rolled her eyes and said, "You can just pay me back when you strike it rich someday."
I smiled bitterly and replied, "What if I never make it big?"
"Don't say stuff like that." Sarah lightly tapped me on the head.
"I think you're definitely going to be extraordinary someday." Sarah's bright and sincere eyes locked onto mine, radiating genuine warmth.
*My eyes instantly welled up, and I almost shed tears.*
*Growing up, nearly everyone around me firmly believed I was a useless nobody. Never had anyone spoken to me with such conviction.*
*Hearing Sarah's words now filled me with heartfelt gratitude.*
"Miss Sarah, thank you," I said, eyes moist with emotion, as I rubbed them in an attempt to conceal my feelings.
Sarah joked, "Hey, men shouldn't cry so easily!"
"Got it!" I nodded firmly.
At that moment, in the near distance, a van suddenly sped by!
The vehicle came to a halt directly in front of me. Soon after, more than ten burly men armed with clubs jumped out!
Their leader was a bald, middle-aged man with a distinctive scar running across his face.
This man was none other than the infamous Albert Turner of Crestview City—better known as "Albert"!
"Miss Sarah, you should go back," I quickly turned to Sarah, urging her.
Sarah gazed at the group but displayed not a trace of fear.
"Are these people here for you?" Sarah asked with curiosity glimmering in her eyes.
Panicked, I replied, "Miss Sarah, I'll explain later. Please just leave!"
Sarah chuckled and said, "Come on, I'm just a woman. They wouldn't dare do anything to me."
*Deeply anxious, I instinctively moved to shield Sarah behind me.*
----
*Sarah felt a spark of warmth at his protective gesture, her opinion of Tyler elevating yet again.*
She hid behind Tyler, observing the group discreetly.
----
Albert Turner soon approached me, flanked by his men.
Holding a bat, Albert eyed me from head to toe and said, "So, you're the one who hit Randy Phillips?"
I took a deep breath, striving to maintain my composure as I said, "He provoked me first."
Albert scoffed impatiently and said, "Cut the crap! If he hit you, you deserved it. You ought to just suck it up!"
I replied coldly, "That's not how things work!"
"Hahahahaha!" Albert and his cronies burst into loud laughter at my words.
"Boss, is this guy nuts? 'Fairness'? What kind of bullshit is that?"
"Exactly. Our Albert Turner here *is* the rules!"
Albert patted me on the shoulder mockingly and sneered, "Listen, kid, the one with the bigger fist makes the rules!"
*My expression darkened with anger, but facing more than a dozen men, I was utterly outmatched.*
Albert studied me with amusement and sneered, "Here's the deal: get on your knees and bow to me, and I might consider letting you off the hook. How's that sound?"
I glared at Albert with fiery determination and snapped, "In your dreams!"
"Dreams, huh?" Albert's demeanor instantly turned icy.
He gestured with his hand, prompting his crew to step forward.
"I'll break your legs and make sure you're on your knees for the rest of your life!" Albert barked ferociously!
"You think he's worthy of kneeling to you?"
At that moment, a girl's voice rang out from behind me.
Sarah Anderson stepped forward, her gaze fixed on Albert Turner with playful disdain.
My face paled with alarm as I exclaimed hurriedly, "Albert Turner, this is all on me—she has nothing to do with it!"
"Miss Sarah, you have to leave now!" I pleaded frantically.
Sarah shook her head, standing firm as she glared coldly at Albert Turner.
Albert Turner stared at Sarah, blinking hard. When he got a clear view of her face, his expression immediately shifted. His complexion turned pale, and his body trembled violently