Chapter 3

Since Karl Jass joined the team, Bread Tree's business has flourished dramatically, keeping them constantly busy every day. LenXiao Merrill has gradually become more outgoing—no longer as reserved as before—and now occasionally engages in playful banter with Karl Jass.

Early that morning, LenXiao·Merrill arrived at the bakery as usual and sat by the checkout counter, watching Karl Jess busily working in the kitchen. Sunlight streamed through the glass window, warming Karl Jess's skin; as LenXiao·Merrill watched, he found himself lost in thought.

"Hey, what are you staring at? Someone bought bread," Karl Jess's voice rang out from the kitchen, cutting off LenXiao Merrill's thoughts.

Len Xiao Meili regained his composure, quickly composed his expression, and looked up to see a young man wearing a floral shirt with dyed hair in vibrant colors. He casually picked up two loaves of bread and was about to leave the door.

"Mr., you haven't paid yet," Lunschon Merrill said softly, gathering his courage.

The boy stopped in his tracks, turned his head, and scanned LenXiao·Merrill with a lecherous gaze from head to toe, a lascivious smile playing on his lips: "You little thing—what eyes did you think saw that I didn't pay? Besides, it was just two shabby loaves of bread; I only took them out of respect for you. How dare you ask for my money?"

With that, he stepped forward and ran his hand across LenXiao Merrill's face.

Lensoe Merrill froze instantly, a wave of nausea surging through her. Since childhood, she had been meticulously protected by her brother; even after her autism improved, she rarely interacted with strangers and had never been treated so dismissively. She opened her mouth to speak, but, overcome by nervousness, could not utter a single word—only her eyes turning red as she clamped her lips tightly together.

You're asking for death!

A cold rebuke rang out as Karl Jess burst out of the kitchen, grabbing the boy's wrist with such force that the boy cried out in pain repeatedly. His face lacked its usual smile; his eyes were icy, and his tone carried not a trace of warmth—a stark contrast to the carefree Karl Jess he was known for.

"Get lost! If you dare disturb her again, I'll break your legs," Karl Jess said in a threatening tone. Seeing the cold gaze in his eyes, the boy felt a surge of panic, realizing he couldn't prevail. He could only utter, "We'll see," struggle to free himself from his grasp, and flee in disgrace.

Only when the boy's figure vanished at the doorway did Karl Jess let go of his grip, turning toランス Merrill with an impatient tone: "Not only do you refuse to fight back when bullied, but you don't even ask for help? What's wrong with your head?"

Len Xiao Merrill was originally filled with gratitude, but upon hearing his words, a wave of resentment surged within her. She bit her lip tightly, her nails digging deeply into her palms; her large eyes were brimming with tears, yet she struggled to hold them back.

Indeed, without her brother's protection, she was nothing at all—even unaware of how to resist bullying. Having grown up in a sheltered environment, she had never encountered such circumstances. At that moment, a profound sense of inferiority overwhelmed her: Was she truly useless?

Karl Jass looked at her reddened eyes, and his heart skipped a beat as he realized how harsh he had been just moments earlier. He had genuinely worried about her and felt unable to control his emotions when witnessing her being bullied; however, before he could finish speaking, his words turned into accusations.

He awkwardly pushed her shoulder, his tone softening: "Are you okay? I just... didn't mean to be harsh with you."

Lensoe Merrill remained silent, burying her head even deeper while her shoulders trembled slightly; a suppressed cry escaped her throat. She didn't want Karl Jess to see her in such a distressed state, yet feelings of grievance and inferiority were impossible to suppress.

Carl Jess was completely panic-stricken—he never comforted women. Watching LenXiao Merrill cry, he stood frozen in shock and could only stammer, "Don't cry. I'm sorry; I shouldn't have been so harsh with you, okay? That scoundrel has already been driven away—I won't let him come back."

Lensoe Merrill continued to ignore him, and his cries grew louder and louder.

Carl Jass was so frantically scratching his head that he suddenly remembered something and made a grotesque face at LenXiao Merrill—his eyes wide open, tongue protruding, and deliberately wrinkles etched across his face, looking utterly ugly.

Ren Xiao Merrill was so amused by his utterly adorable yet ugly appearance that he couldn't help but laugh through his tears. He raised his head, still with tears on his face, but smiled like a child: "You... how could you dress up so badly?"

When Karl Jess saw her smile, he breathed a sigh of relief and joined in laughing: "Still crying? If you keep crying, the guests will all run away—our rent for this month will be ruined."

Lensoe Merrill shook his head, wiped away the tears from his face, and said softly, "I won't cry anymore."

"That's good," Karl Jess said, sitting beside her, and his tone turning serious. "Why didn't you resist just now? Why didn't you call me?"

Lensoe Merrill lowered his head and said softly, "I... I'm scared; I don't know what to do. I've been protected by my brother since childhood, and I've never encountered anything like this. I feel utterly useless."

Seeing her lonely expression, Karl Jess felt a pang of compassion. He gently patted her shoulder and said, "Sweetheart, it's not your fault. You're not useless—you've just gotten used to being protected. With me here, no one will bully you again."

Lensoe Merrill raised her head and, seeing the earnest look in his eyes, felt a warm sensation in her heart. Throughout her life, apart from her brother, no one had ever spoken to her like that. As she looked at Karl Jess, she suddenly realized that this seemingly carefree young man actually had a gentle side as well.

What she didn't know was that when Karl Jess said those words, a glimmer of determination flashed in his eyes. He had come with a specific purpose, but now all he wanted was to protect this vulnerable yet adorable girl—even if it went against his original plan. Moreover, the thug who had harassed Len Xiao Merrill hadn't appeared by chance; there seemed to be someone behind the scenes directing him.