Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

"Who the heck are you to butt into our business?" The boy clutching his leg shot Fiona a furious glare. Judging by her fancy clothes, he figured she had some money, which made him hesitate a bit. But seriously, what was a rich girl like her doing meddling in their affairs? "Shut up!" The director, who was in charge, nearly keeled over at the outburst. These two-Fiona and her companion-were VIPS at the rehab center, invited with no small amount of effort. If he rubbed them the wrong way, it could spell big trouble.

Mikey rushed over to Fiona, his expression darkening when he saw Tyler covered in bruises. "Director Mason, is this what you call the 'positive atmosphere' at your rehab center?" Mikey was barely holding back his anger. "If we hadn't shown up today, he might've been beaten to a pulp! Does it take a tragedy for you to take things seriously?"

Director Mason was sweating bullets. Sure, scuffles happened now and then-nothing new at a place like this with so many people. But of all days, his guests had to stumble upon this mess today!

"Mr. Mikey, Ms. Fiona, I'm truly sorry for the lack of discipline. Rest assured, I'll step up their education to make sure this doesn't happen again!" Director Mason quickly motioned for the kids who were fighting to apologize.

The kids weren't too happy about it. Why should they say sorry? They got hurt too!

"Director, come on, Tyler started it. My ear's bleeding, see?"

"Exactly, Tyler threw the first punch. We were just defending ourselves!"noveldrama

"Why should we apologize?"

"Shut up!" The director was fuming. Why couldn't these kids read the room?

"Are you ignoring me now?" His anger made them squirm. Even though they were still a bit resentful, they reluctantly began, "We're sor-"

"Not good enough." A cold voice cut them off.

Fiona's eyes were like ice as she rested her hand on Tyler's wrist. Tyler had taken a serious beating, with several ribs broken. If they hadn't been there, who knows how badly it could've ended?

Seeing Fiona's firm stance, Director Mason was even more on edge. Wiping sweat from his brow, he cautiously asked, "Ms. Fiona, then what do you propose?"

"We'll still provide the promised funding to the center, but I have a few conditions," Fiona said coolly.

Money talks, and as long as that was on the table, the director was all ears.

"First, I'm taking him with me." Fiona looked at Tyler, laying out her first condition.

"This " Director Mason hesitated, knowing that ultimately, it was Tyler's choice whether to leave. "Tyler, what do you think?"

What did he think? Tyler lowered his eyes, his long lashes trembling. He'd been at the rehab center for ages, and this was the first time someone had offered to take him away. The young woman in front of him seemed about his age. Why did she want to take him, and what was she aiming to do?