They Mocked the Homeless Veteran Until He Fought Back

Chapter 005

In Ashridge, an apartment like this would cost several million dollars, even before renovations. For a woman to own something like this on her own was genuinely impressive.

Andrew accepted the house slippers Tessa handed him and slipped them on, then stood off to the side without sitting down.

"Why don't you have a seat?" Tessa asked after setting down the urn and settling next to Claire on the sofa.

"I'm pretty dirty. I'd rather not," Andrew replied honestly.

He'd been traveling all day without a chance to wash up, and the last thing he wanted was to soil someone else's furniture.

Claire lifted her head slowly. Her beautiful eyes were swollen and bloodshot, tears streaming steadily down her cheeks in a way that tugged at the heart.

"If you were Ethan's comrade, then you're family to us too," she said softly. "Please, sit."

"Well... alright."

Andrew met her earnest gaze and found he couldn't refuse. He sat down carefully.

It was clear Claire was no ordinary woman. Even drowning in grief, she refused to lose herself completely.

"Can you tell us what actually happened to my brother-in-law?" Tessa asked, her voice quiet but steady.

"The mission details are classified. I don't know much myself," Andrew admitted. "But he was on assignment overseas when the accident occurred. I've already reached out through my private contacts to investigate. It shouldn't take long before we know more."

He explained that he'd retired shortly before Ethan's incident, which was why he had so few answers to give.

When Claire had learned everything she could, the color drained from her face and she retreated to her room without another word.

That left Andrew and Tessa alone in the living room.

"You want to clean up a bit? I could give you a haircut after," Tessa offered, breaking the silence. "Right now you look like some alternative kid from ten years ago."

Andrew glanced at her in surprise, half skeptical. "You cut hair?"

"Sure do. Used to do it for my roommates all through college. Don't underestimate me, I'm actually pretty good." Tessa rolled up her sleeves like she was preparing for serious business.

"Uh... maybe I'll just hit a barbershop tomorrow instead," Andrew said quickly, brushing aside the long bangs that covered half his face.

The motion revealed a striking face beneath, all sharp angles and clean lines. His brows swept upward with an elegant strength, and his eyes held the depth of distant stars, carrying a gaze that spoke of experience far beyond his years. His nose was straight and proud, and the slight curve at the corner of his mouth gave him an air of confidence that bordered on defiance, like a character stepped out of an illustrated novel.

Tessa stared openly, murmuring without thinking, "Wow... you're actually really good-looking."

"Thanks. I think so too," Andrew replied with a grin that somehow managed to be both humble and entirely self-aware.

"With a face like that, it's a shame you're not a male escort. Such a shame," Tessa gushed, the compliments flowing freely now.

Andrew's expression twitched. He was already tired of hearing about the hospitality industry.

He stood and walked over to his beat-up duffel bag, pulling out a relatively clean set of camouflage fatigues. "Where's the bathroom?"

"Uh, go through the balcony, it's on the right. That's the guest bathroom," Tessa said.

"Got it. I'll grab a quick shower then."

Andrew moved without hesitation, completely at ease as he followed Tessa's directions. The bathroom door closed behind him, and soon the rustling sounds of clothes being removed drifted out.

Tessa stood there in a daze, then suddenly remembered something. She bolted toward the balcony and rushed into the bathroom, only to freeze.

The man stood there completely naked, staring at her with an expression of utter bewilderment.

"Sorry, sorry! I didn't think you'd undress that fast..." Tessa's face flushed crimson as she squeezed her eyes shut and backed out quickly, leaning against the door as she tried to catch her breath.

If she hadn't been mistaken, she'd glimpsed several knife wounds and bullet scars marking Andrew's body. One scar in particular stretched from his back all the way down toward his hip, a sight both shocking and sobering.

"Buddha forgive me, no harm meant," she muttered to herself, still flustered as she returned to the living room.

Inside the bathroom, Andrew had only just recovered from his own shock. He'd been confused at first, but then he noticed the pile of cartoon-patterned undergarments stacked in the corner. Understanding dawned immediately.

Unless he was very mistaken, those all belonged to Tessa, and she'd simply forgotten to wash them.

"Lazy girl," he said with a quiet laugh, turning on the shower to rinse away the day's grime. Yet his eyes kept drifting back to that pile of clothes despite his best efforts.

The shower ended up taking nearly half an hour.

Every second felt like torture to Tessa, like sitting on pins and needles.

The moment Andrew emerged, she darted into the bathroom like a startled cat, scooped up the pile of clothing, and fled to her bedroom in a flustered panic.

The commotion woke Claire, who opened her door and stepped out, her eyes still red and swollen. "Have you eaten dinner?" she asked Andrew gently.

"I did, thanks for asking," Andrew replied politely.

He certainly wasn't about to admit he'd only had a couple of steamed buns earlier. That would just trouble them further.

"Tessa, come out here and make some noodles for Andrew. He can have a late snack," Claire called, as if she hadn't heard him at all.

"Coming!" Tessa answered from her room.

Andrew sighed inwardly and offered his thanks.

About ten minutes later, Tessa carried out a large pot of noodles, steam rising in fragrant clouds. She scooped a generous portion into a bowl and handed it to Andrew with a look of careful attentiveness.

"Thanks, really. You didn't have to go to all this trouble," Andrew said, the word "thanks" becoming something of a refrain at this point.

The two women sat on either side of him, watching quietly as he ate. Their gazes made him self-conscious, so he ducked his head and focused on the noodles.

Tessa seemed to grow bored after a while. She got up, disappeared into her room, and returned with a small cosmetic bag that she set in front of Andrew. "How about I cut your hair while you eat?" she suggested with a smile.

"Tessa, are you trying to get yourself in trouble?" Claire said sharply, her tone carrying a note of warning.

"I just can't stand looking at that hairstyle anymore. He looks like some alternative kid straight out of a bad phase," Tessa pouted, her eyes fixed on the back of Andrew's head with an almost longing intensity.

Andrew cleared his throat. His instincts were sharp enough to feel that stare burning into him. "It's fine. Go ahead and cut it. I've been thinking my hair's gotten too long anyway."

"There we go, that's the spirit," Tessa said brightly, opening the cosmetic bag and pulling out a small pair of styling shears. Just as she was about to begin, the doorbell rang.

"Who could that be at this hour?" Tessa grumbled, her mood souring instantly.

She walked to the door and peered through the peephole, then said in confusion, "Why is Mom here so late?"

The lock clicked open.

A woman dressed in expensive clothing stepped inside, though her outfit was disheveled and covered with bits of grass and debris.

Andrew glanced up at the newcomer, and the noodles in his mouth sprayed across the table in shock.

The woman was none other than the wealthy fifty-something he'd caught fooling around with the security guard downstairs.