Chapter 15: A Student Hastily Handed over a Dry Towel

"Sir, here's a towel!" A student hastily handed over a dry towel.

Adrian Stone took it but didn't use it on himself. Instead, he removed his camouflage jacket and wrapped it around Elena Ward. The girl was drenched, her thin summer clothes clinging to her body, revealing her curves. He frowned—this crowd was too large, and he wouldn't let her be humiliated.

Elena coughed violently, her fingers clutching the front of her shirt. She could feel the familiar power stirring within her—her healing force had returned.

But she wouldn’t use it now. She wanted everyone to see the proof—her disheveled state was undeniable evidence that Agnes Ward had pushed her into the water.

"Elena!" Calvin Ward rushed over, genuine tears in his eyes this time. "You scared me half to death!"

Mayor Martin Reed also exhaled in relief and quickly stepped forward to shake Adrian’s hand. "Thank you so much, young man! If it weren’t for you—"

"You’re the mayor?" Adrian cut him off, his gaze sharp.

"Yes, yes. I’m Martin Reed, mayor of Pinehaven Village."

Adrian pointed to the dam. "We saw someone push her in. That’s attempted murder. The police should be called immediately." His voice was calm, but it sent a chill through the crowd.

Calvin panicked. If this went to the police, how would his family ever hold their heads high in the village again?

"It’s a misunderstanding, sir!" He wrung his hands anxiously. "Just a family quarrel. My mother didn’t mean to—"

Mayor Reed chimed in, "That’s right, young man. It’s just a domestic matter..."

Elena sneered. Of course. As long as no one died, who would care about an orphan like her?

Agnes lunged forward, arms outstretched to embrace her. "Granny was wrong! But you threatened to take me down with you—"

Elena shrank back, her voice barely a whisper. "I... I slipped..."

Adrian’s frown deepened. She was clearly lying.

"Even if it was an accident, there should be consequences." He fixed his gaze on Mayor Reed. "Where are her parents?"

"The poor girl lost them years ago..." Sweat beaded on the mayor’s forehead. These military cadets weren’t easily fooled.

"Mayor." Adrian raised his voice abruptly. "You need to handle this fairly today."

Mayor Reed stiffened, then turned and barked at Calvin, "You heard him! Hand over the keys to Elena’s house right now, or your family won’t get a single grain of relief rations this year!"

Calvin’s eyes darted around. He could agree now and figure things out later...

"Now." Adrian’s voice was icy. "We’ll go with you to get them."

Elena’s head snapped up, meeting Adrian’s steady gaze. He gave her a slight nod, as if to say: Don’t worry. We’ve got you.

Her nose stung, and she rasped, "Sir... could you help me clean up my house?"

Adrian bent down to help her up, the scent of soap and sunlight clinging to his uniform.

"Listen up," he called to his students. "We finish what we start."

The wind over the dam suddenly felt warm.