Saving the Villain

"And where the hell are you going to take her?"

Amie's shoulder tensed up at the tinge of malice in the leader's voice. Meanwhile, Cosette shifted her sharp eyes at the leader.

"None of your business," replied Cosette under her breath. "I am asking you nicely to let us all go. You seemed to be a logical person. That is why I am asking you, Sir. Let us go and no one will get hurt."

The leader laughed in ridicule, looking at Cosette from head to toe. "Oy, oy, missy. Did you just threaten me?"

"I am asking you, not threatening. Now, if you feel that you are threatened, then probably you should listen to the alarm bells in your head." Cosette lifted her chin, looking the leader straight in the eye. "Let her go, and let's leave this as it was, alright?"

The leader stared at Cosette while his smile lines faded. His expression instantly turned cold and wicked, showing signs he just needed a light push to throw his fist.

"How about my money?" asked the leader, still knowing his priorities. "She was supposed to pay one six grand tonight. If you give the money now, then we won't have a problem."

"Six — six grand?"

"Yes. They owe me a hundred and fifty."

Cosette scoffed, staring at the leader in ridicule. That amount of money wasn't a problem for Cosette. If she was willing, she could just shell out and resolve this matter in seconds. However, not because Cosette could afford it, didn't mean she should do it.

"That money… isn't her responsibility to shoulder," Cosette breathed out. "If I remember correctly, you said her boyfriend owed you that. Then, whoever that is, go bother him, not her."

"But she said she'd pay for it!" Suddenly, a male voice erupted from behind them.

Cosette's brows furrowed while Amie's body stiffened in shock. Both of them looked back to the owner of the voice, only to see an older youth sporting a shock expression, as if that was a slip of the tongue.

"Henry…" Amie called under her breath, in disbelief at what she just heard.

"So you're the boyfriend?" Cosette's eyes dilated as the fire in her eyes blazed. "Did you just say just because she wanted to help you clear the debts, she should shoulder it while you bear no responsibility for it?"

Cosette turned to face Henry, looking at him from head to toe. "What a loser."

"What did you say?"

"You… are trash," Cosette stressed each of her words through her gritted teeth. The fire in her eyes rendered Henry speechless, and when Cosette marched in his direction, Henry looked to his left and right in a panic.

"Oy…" Cosette stopped in front of Henry while the latter fused his back on the couch. "What kind of boyfriend are you pimping your girl to pay for your debts? Is that money even good money? How did you use it? Drugs? Alcohol? Gambling? Just how shameless are you to ask her to pay for something you can't?"

Henry's eyes slid to the corner as he mumbled, "she's the one who proposed it." His face crumpled, glaring up at Cosette.

"Did I ask her to pay?! She's the one who wouldn't shut up, volunteering to pay them even when I tried to stop her! How was it my fault when no one forced her to poke her ugly nose into other people's busine —"

SLAP!

Henry's face was tossed to the side as his eyes went wide, holding his cheek, which instantly swelled a second later.

"You!" his eyes shone with miff, glaring back at Cosette only for her hand to land on his other cheek. This time, he scoffed, unable to say or react, as he didn't expect another resounding slap from her.

"Wag your tongue once more and I swear to the devil I am going to cut it," warned Cosette. Her voice reeked with rage, barely blinking as she fixed her eyes on this loser. "Amie is the type who always tries to help others, always going beyond her limits as long as she could help. You know that, and you took advantage of her kindness and naivety. How dare you hurt her after she trusts you so much, hmm?"

Her entire body shook in anger, wanting to beat him more to avenge Amie. However, Cosette knew it was pointless, and she had other priorities. Hence, she simply wanted to say her piece. She didn't care if Henry listen or not.

"That money… pay for it. I don't care if you have to sacrifice your limb or your life just to pay for it. Take responsibility," remarked Cosette firmly. "Don't come near her again, or I'll deliver you to hell myself."

Cosette huffed, staring at Henry for a moment before she turned around and sauntered off. She paused by the side of the table, glancing at the leader, who was just watching her before she moved her attention to Amie.

"Come, Amie." Cosette reached for Amie's arms, nodding at her encouragingly. "Let's get out of here."

Tears shone in Amie's eyes until they blurred her vision, nodding in agreement. Amie's knees and body were trembling in shock, but she still dragged her bottom out of the table. When she stood beside the table, Amie nearly fell as her knees felt as soft as tofu. Fortunately, Cosette was there to catch her.

Holding Amie's arms, Cosette flashed him a short smile when Amie gazed up at her.

"Cozie…"

"It's alright. Let's go." Cosette nodded at Amie, holding Amie by the shoulders to escort her out of this place. But just as they walked past the leader, a hand squeezed Cosette's shoulder, stopping them from their tracks.

"Where are you two going?" asked the leader, squeezing Cosette's shoulder until he could feel the bones on her shoulder blade. "Do you think it's as easy as that?"

Amie was frozen on the spot as her back shivered. However, a pair of sneakers caught her eye before her. When she raised her eyes, her breath hitched upon meeting Luke's face.

"Aish…" Luke scratched the back of his head in irritation, shifting his eyes to Cosette. The latter said nothing with her lips drawn on a thin line before his eyes fell on the hand on her shoulder.

"Oy…" Luke called, lifting his icy gaze at the leader standing behind Cosette. "I'll only ask you once. Get that dirty hand off of her."