Against Cruelty, She Grew Strong (by Anastasia Glover) novel Chapter 612

Chapter 612 Traces in the Shadows

It was thoroughly exhausting

Liam was a total psycho.

She kicked off her high heels, stepping barefoot onto the cool hardwood floor as she made her way directly into the bathroom.

The sharp cascade of rushing water soon filled the space. She stood beneath the heavy stream, letting the water wash over her skin as she closed her eyes, forcing the residual frustration to dissolve line by line from her thoughts.

Once her shower was complete, she skipped getting dressed entirely, wrapping a plush bath towel securely around her frame before stepping back out into the main suite.

Stray water droplets fell gently from the ends of her dark hair. Her bare face, thoroughly flushed from the heavy steam, looked exceptionally radiant and soft in the dim lighting.

She had only taken two strides into the bedroom when her movements ground to an absolute halt. Her eyes pinned the porcelain vase resting on the executive desk.

The vessel was a piece of fine, floral chinaware, its surface decorated with an intricate, breathtaking pattern of blossoming flowers. Because of its elite craftsmanship, she had deliberately lingered to admire it the exact moment she entered the room.

She remembered with absolute certainty that the primary face of the pattern had been oriented in a completely different direction.

Her heart plummeted into a cold pocket of dread. Maintaining a mask of perfect serenity, she continued her forward momentum without changing her pace, casually reaching into the fruit basket to lift a fresh apple.

Her fingers slid around the handle of the paring knife, hiding the lethal steel completely within the paim of her hand.

She glided past the heavy drapes framing the window, and in an absolute flash of motion, her arm shot forward to deliver a violent thrust through the fabric.

The blade sliced through empty air.

There was absolutely no one behind the cloth.

She dragged a heavy, ragged breath into her lungs, refusing to waste a single second as she marched to the landline and dialed the front desk, issuing a unilateral directive for an immediate room transter

She quickly changed into a fresh outh, choosing to bypass the hair dryer entirely as she gathered her damp strands and twisted them into a secure, casual bun Her mood had turned incredibly hostile

She was entirely certain that a stranger had managed to penetrate her quarters during her absence. But the individual had already retreated

4

in the Shadows

Finished

Following the emergency relocation to a separate suite, any chance of a peaceful rest vanished completely. She remained in a state of absolute, high–alert vigilance throughout the long hours of the night, refusing to drop her guard even with the heavy deadbolts thrown into place

Between the damp chill of her undried hair and the absolute lack of sleep, her complexion looked noticeably drawn and exhausted when morning arrived. She was forced to apply heavy layers of cosmetics just to mask the fatigue.

Yet the exact moment she entered the lobby, Lian’s eyes cut through the room to pin her drawn features instantly.

A sudden calculation formed in his mind. Could she be navigating her own internal torment regarding our dynamic?

He grew entirely convinced that she harbored deep, lingering feelings for him. The rigid authority vanished from Liam’s expression, his eyes softening with an intense, self–assured warmth.

Tatiana caught the sudden shift in his posture, and an involuntary shudder of pure disgust rippled down her spine.

What absolute madness was possessing this man now?

“Ladies and gentlemen,” a hospitality manager announced through the floor, cutting off her thoughts. The official ribbon–cutting ceremony is about to commence. Please proceed to your designated seating.”

Tatiana launched forward without a second of hesitation, ensuring she established a massive physical distance between her path and his position.

Yet the explicit avoidance only served to convince Liam that she was deeply affected by his presence.

He was genuinely, completely delusional.

The Charity Orphanage.

The rebuilt center was fully equipped for over two hundred displaced kids. It was a massive, high–profile project, and the city hall had been watching it like a hawk.

ľ

A massive crowd had swarmed the courtyard for the grand opening, featuring executive delegations from the city’s premier commercial firms who had arrived to coordinate the formal distribution of donated provisions.

The orphanage administration had even organized a series of vibrant musical performances featuring the children. Amid the bright, ringing chorus of youthful voices and the rising flight of prayer tags the formal ribbon–cutting ceremony drew to a successful close.

The facility secured an immense inventory of essential supplies, and the faces of the young children were entirely bright with magnificent, radiant smiles Watching those pure expressions of joy. Lantana tele the heavy frustration locked in her chest begin to dissipate

“This is for you, to thank you for giving us a ical home

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apter 612 fraces in the Shadows

Finished

Auny six–year–old girl came charging over across the grass, her tiny legs moving with practiced speed as she stopped in front of Tatiana, a shy smile on her face as she clutched a massive glass jar packed with

paper cranes.

“We all worked together to fold these for you,” the girl explained, her voice dropping to a serious whisper. “The head principal told us that you poured a massive, massive amount of money into the building so we could have a place to live.“/

She lifted the glass canister, presenting it with absolute solemnity.

Tatiana reached out with both hands to accept the offering, dropping into a low squat to bring her eyes perfectly parallel with the child’s gaze. Her voice was dripping with absolute sincerity when she spoke. “Thank you, my darling. I want you to focus on growing up healthy and strong.”

The little girl gave a fierce, determined nod. “I am going to study hard as I can, and when I grow up, I will secure a great job and make a massive fortune. That way, I can follow your example and protect other hildren who need help!”

Tatiana couldn’t resist reaching out to gently pat the soft contour of her cheek. “I have zero doubt that you vill achieve exactly that.”

The child offered a final, bashful smile before turning on her heel and running back toward her companions.

Tatiana held the heavy glass container against her chest. The interior was packed with paper cranes of very imaginable color, presenting a stunning, vibrant display. Some of the folds were perfectly crisp and >rofessional, while others were noticeably distorted and uneven, serving as a clear indication that multiple hildren had contributed their unique efforts to the project.

They had shown an immense amount of heart.

Tatiana.”

The persistent, exhausting voice echoed from behind her.

Choosing to behave as though her hearing had failed her entirely, she maintained her forward momentum down the pathway.

Liam let out a helpless chuckle, increasing his stride until he cut directly across her path, forcing her to a halt. “Are you actively hiding from me?”

Tatiana dragged a long, sharp breath into her lungs. The total lack of rest from the previous evening had left her patience enurely depleted, and her temper was on the absolute edge. “I moved forward under the impression that you were a perfect gentleman.”

“An impression?”

“Your current behavior is completely pathetic and unprincipled I harbor absolutely zero desire to participate in any further interactions with you‘

The rejection was absolute, leaving zero room for interpretation

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