Spoiled by the Silver Fox

"Alright, any problem, remember to let me know."

"Sure."

After Brook left, Ashley turned around and saw Gracie's cold expression.

Ashley was startled and lowered her head awkwardly, "Gracie, why the long face?"

"You run to Brook with your problems, not me? You trust her? She just stood by and did nothing, I've always had a bone to pick with her!"

Ashley hung her head low, "That incident... I don't blame anyone, it's water under the bridge. Gracie, I've moved on, you should too. I've got Steph, I've got Emily. It's enough." "What about me? Ashley, you left, do you have any idea what that's done to me?

You ditched our shared dream. You wasted your life on a guy, and because of that, I can't stand men, I'm almost forty and I've never even dated! I don't just despise men, I'm scared! Do you know my life's been a mess because of you?"

Ashley's pale face stared at her, speechless.

She knew she'd let Gracie down, betrayed her trust, and all her sacrifices.

But she never thought it would have such a huge impact.

"I'm... I'm sorry."

"What good is sorry! Ashley, you can run away, you've got your reasons. But me, Gracie, I'll never forgive you!"

"I..."

"Gracie, why are you being so mean to my teacher?"

"I'm not, we're just talking, Steph, don't get it twisted. I've got to go, I've got work, you stay here and keep your teacher company." "Okay."

"Gracie, let me walk you out."

Gracie glanced at Ashley, "If you've got the guts to walk me home, do it. Otherwise stay here and keep hiding."

With that, she stormed off.

Seeing this, Stephanie felt bad for Ashley, "Gracie's being so mean to you."

Ashley gave a bitter smile, "I owe her a lot. I never thought my issues would affect her like this."

"Teacher, you can't take all the blame. Gracie's just trying to push your buttons, hoping you'll get out more, stop being so scared."

"But Steph, I am scared, you don't know what I went through."

"No, teacher, I do know, Silver Fox told me everything yesterday."

Ashley shook her head, "That's all hearsay. Brook was there, she saw it all. But nobody helped me, not that I blame them, nobody wants to stir up trouble."

"Teacher, you know what? When Silver Fox told me, I was so sorry. Why wasn't I there?! If I was, I would've protected you."

Ashley forced a bitter smile, her

voice tinged with a mix of nostalgia and regret. "You were just a young girl back then, and it would have been overwhelming for you. How could l-expect you to protect me? If something like that were to occur, I would prefer you to stay out of it. It's not worth risking yourself for," she admitted, acknowledging the weight of the situation and the desire to shield Stephanie from harm.

"But teacher, you know what? I had the same experience when I wasz filming took action and saved a girl who was in the same situation as you. But her situation was different,

You and Jeffrey Perez were lovers, openly in a relationship. But Rebecca was the other woman, she humiliated you publicly! I won't forget this!"