Despite her fear of the imposing man before her, Blake stood bravely in front of Grace and Mya. Blake declared with a shaky voice, "I-I'm warning you, don't even think about touching Mya."

Mya, hiding behind Grace, timidly praised Blake in a soft voice, just loud enough for everyone to hear, "Blake, you're so brave."

Fred, who had come expecting a different reception, frowned sternly at Mya. He thought, 'I didn't expect her to be so scared of me.'

"Mya, come here," Fred commanded.

Mya was frightened by Fred's command and burst into tears. She said, "No, you're a bad guy. Mom said you've been with many women, you're unclean. She and Madelyn told me not to be friends with you, and I don't want to see you ever again!"

Mya recalled how Fred had hurt her last time. To Mya, Fred was as bad as Luke.

After that, Mya clutched her doll and hurried upstairs, not even glancing back at Fred. He had not expected such rejection. After traveling from Ventropolis to Sutherlyn, that was not an out