Born Into Villain's Family: I Have a 200\% Rebate System-Chapter 230: Burning The Lab

’An experiment. That’s why it’s open.’ Lucy realized.

Not wasting another second, she slipped into the lab.

Breathing heavily, she scanned the tables cluttered with tubes, beakers, and flasks filled with colorful liquids. Her eyes flickered with guilt, but her fear for Henry outweighed everything.

Without hesitation, she swept the nearest table clean with her arm. Glass shattered against the tiled floor. Fluids spread and mingled, releasing a strange, sharp odor.

’Sorry... I’m so sorry...’

With trembling fingers, she pulled a matchstick from her pocket. She’d taken it earlier from the student lounge to light scented candles in her dorm. She didn’t think she’d use it like this.

She lit it. The tiny flame flickered—and she dropped it.

The chemicals on the floor ignited instantly.

Flames burst to life.

Lucy gasped and stumbled backward before turning and fleeing the room. Her footsteps echoed down the hall as smoke began to creep from under the door. She didn’t look back.

...................

Outside, Peter was just beginning to speak again, his voice low and grave, when a sudden shout interrupted him.

"Smoke! Smoke from the east wing!"

"What the—?"

"Is that coming from the lab?"

Peter’s eyes narrowed. He turned swiftly toward the building, his instincts kicking in.

"Fire!" someone else screamed. "There’s a fire inside!"

"I saw smoke pouring from the chemistry department!"

Peter clenched his jaw. "Everyone, move! Stay away from the building!"

He turned toward Lucas. "Stay with Adriana."

Lucas nodded, tightening his hold on his sister.

Peter rushed back toward the university.

In the chaos, no one noticed Henry slipping away.

He moved quickly, his head low. Lucy appeared around the corner, breathless and pale. She grabbed his arm. "We have to go. Now!"

"Where are the others?" Henry hissed.

"They left when I did. Come on!"

Henry and Lucy darted away from the campus, blending into the crowd and slipping through a side gate.

The others, the hired students who had mocked Adriana and staged the cruel humiliation, followed closely behind. Within minutes, they were gone.

They didn’t stop running until they reached a deserted alleyway far from the university.

Lucy bent over, hands on her knees, panting. "Oh my God... we actually got away..."

Henry leaned against the wall, his expression dark.

Lucy turned to him, tears in her eyes. "What do we do now? We just... we offended a big shot. Peter Richardson, Henry! If he finds out your name—"

Henry slammed his fist into the wall, causing Lucy to jump. "Damn it! Not only did I not get Adriana back, I’ve messed with someone way out of my league."

Lucy looked at him nervously. "Why would a big shot like Peter even care about Adriana? I mean... unless she’s someone important?"

Henry exhaled sharply, his jaw clenched. "Exactly. No way a guy like him would step in just because of some random girl."

Lucy nodded slowly, realization dawning. "Maybe she’s rich. From some powerful family or something."

"That’s gotta be it," Henry muttered. "I thought she was just some girl from a normal rich family... but maybe she’s been hiding something."

Lucy hugged her arms, her body still shaking.

"So what do we do now? You’re probably going to get expelled... and without a degree, how are you going to get a job? You said the Richardson Group owns your university too..."

"Shut up!" Henry snapped, rubbing his temples. "Just shut up, Lucy! I’m trying to think!"

Lucy’s mouth fell open in shock, tears springing to her eyes. "I—I just risked everything for you... and you’re yelling at me?"

Henry didn’t respond. He turned away, sinking to the ground with his back against the wall. His mind was a mess of panic and fury.

Lucy stared at him, hurt flooding her chest. She looked away, blinking quickly to stop the tears. Lucas never shouted at Adriana, she thought bitterly. He held her like she was fragile... like she mattered.

She remembered how Lucas had shielded Adriana from the crowd, how gently he whispered to her. How Peter had stood up for her like a knight in shining armor.

And here she was, standing in a dirty alley with a brother who only cared about his pride.

Why does she get all the good things? Why does she get protected? Loved?

Lucy lowered her head, jealousy and sadness pooling in her chest.

Henry sat on the cold pavement, his back against the stained alley wall, hands buried in his messy hair.

’I should get her back. I will chase her wholeheartedly this time, and she will get together with me. And even if she doesn’t... when she’s about to marry Peter, I’ll remind her of our past. I’ll remind her of what we did. She’ll have to give me something to keep her new perfect life from falling apart.’

It was a twisted plan, built on obsession and desperation, but Henry clung to it like a lifeline.

Then he heard a soft sniffle.

He turned and saw Lucy, sitting a few feet away, her head bowed, shoulders shaking. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she tried to wipe them away without making a sound.

Henry’s smug grin faded.

For a long second, he said nothing. Guilt flickered in his chest.

He had yelled at her. She’d risked everything for him—burned down a lab, ruined her future. And he’d told her to shut up.

"...Lucy," he said quietly.

She didn’t look up.

He sighed, forcing himself to stand. His muscles ached, his head was pounding, but he walked over and crouched beside her.

"I... I was wrong to yell," he said, his voice low and hesitant. "I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. You were just trying to help."

Still no response. Lucy sniffled again, her face turned away.

Henry shifted awkwardly. "I mean it. I’ll fix this. I’ll get you the life you want. The respect you deserve. I promise."

At those words, Lucy finally turned her head. Her face was blotchy from crying, but her eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"You... you mean that?" she asked, voice cracking.

This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦