The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 636

"Is there anything you need help with?" Everlot stopped right in front of Charlotte, bending down a little so they were eye level. His voice was soft, almost careful.

Charlotte looked up slowly, her bright eyes narrowing just a bit as her lips curved into a teasing smile. "Everlot?"

Ever plus Lottie?

Anthony nodded, his smile warm and gentle.

Everyone else around Charlotte looked completely confused, glancing back and forth between the two of them. Why was the new instructor looking at Charlotte like that?

Andrew felt his guard go up. He stepped forward, putting himself between Charlotte and Everlot, his face set in a hard line as he stared up at Everlot, who was taller and way more built than he was. "She doesn't need any help," Andrew said, his voice clipped.

Was this Everlot guy just using his looks to try and get close to Charlotte?

Anthony let out a small, amused smile as Andrew glared at him. "Can you start a fire?"

Andrew didn't even know what to say. He definitely couldn't.

"Can you set up a tent?"

Again, Andrew had nothing. He'd never done it before.

"I—"

"Go collect some firewood. The drier the better." Anthony cut him off, his tone full of annoyance. "Why are you still standing here?"

Andrew jumped a little at the sharp command, tilting his head up stubbornly to protest.

Then Charlotte spoke up. "Go get the firewood."

Andrew froze, staring at her in disbelief. Was she actually taking Everlot's side?

Half an hour later, Charlotte's tent was set up. The other students from the Traditional Medicine class copied Anthony's method and managed to get their tents standing too.

The Modern Medicine students, convinced they were smarter, insisted on doing things their own way. Their tents ended up a mess, lopsided and sagging all over the place.

Janie glanced at her crooked tent, then over at Everlot. She hesitated, but finally walked over. "Everlot..."

She met Anthony's eyes—he really was handsome—and for a second, she forgot what she was going to say.

"Can you help me?" Janie asked, her cheeks turning pink. "There are a few of us girls, and we can't get the stakes in."

Anthony looked over at her, his expression cold and a little distant. After a few silent seconds, he let out a sharp laugh. "I thought you all seemed pretty strong. Figured you could handle it on your own."

Janie felt her face heat up even more. Was he seriously calling her strong in that way?