Finding an unoccupied booth, Yaslyn settled in. Rowan swiftly followed, situating himself at the same table."Why are you sharing a table with me?"Yaslyn scooted toward the empty space beside her."There are no other tables. Let's just make do with this one."Without any hesitation, Rowan opened a bottle of wine and began to drink on his own.Pointing to several empty tables not far away, Yaslyn spoke with a hint of laughter mixed with annoyance. "Did you not see those? Is there something wrong with your eyes?""You hit the nail on the head. My eyes have always been poor. Look, I just happen not to be wearing glasses today."Rowan had indeed always worn glasses in the past, appearing very formal. Without his glasses and with a few strands of hair on his forehead, he looked somewhat…Devilishly handsome.Yaslyn did not want to beat around the bush. "You surely have something to say, so speak up. What is it this time?"Dropping his act, Rowan stated bluntly, "Mr. York Carden w
The next morning, Yaslyn made use of her advanced hacking skills and traced Xoan's location, immediately heading to him.Xoan was engrossed in the news, his fingers moving incessantly, diligently making notes."Xoan, there are some things I need to ask you."Yaslyn grabbed the remote and turned off the television. Xoan remained silent, his fingers trembling slightly before he continued writing down the remaining content. Seeing his indifference, Yaslyn snatched away his pen forcefully."Are Sadie and Yerick still in contact. Do you know about this?""I do."A simple acknowledgment. His eyes unveiled a hint of a brewing storm."Have you known that they have been intimate?" Yaslyn pressed relentlessly.Xoan's face soured, a complicated expression shading his features."What's your purpose in telling me this?"Yaslyn's voice sharp. "Yerick, your brother in name, is with your ex-girlfriend. Will you still be with Sadie?""It's none of your business."Xoan's gaze shifted, and he
Yaslyn stared hesitantly at the incoming call, debating whether to answer it.Sensing her reluctance, Rowan leaned in and whispered, "Go on, answer it. Isn't all of this to find out Xoan's reaction?"'Right,' Yaslyn thought as she accepted the call.However, the voice that came from the other end was not Xoan's."I'd advise you to stop wasting your effort, Yaslyn."Sadie's voice was laced with a hint of mockery. "I've seen all those posts you made. Oh, and yes, you guessed it right, I saw those posts using Xoan's phone."Yaslyn's expression fell, her eyes gradually dimming. "So, what are you trying to say?"A short, peculiar laugh escaped Sadie."I'm saying to save your breath. Xoan didn't even bother to open your photos. Nobody would've seen your posts if it weren't for me."Moving on to another man so quickly after breaking up with Xoan? He hasn't even had time to feel disgusted by you. Did you really think he'd call you to question why you're with another man?"Harsh as Sa
"There are already people criticising Xoan for being a worthless man, and if they find out you are also engaged to someone else, wouldn't they turn around and condemn you?"Rowan laughed mysteriously, a hint of cunningness barely perceptible in his eyes."How about we wait a few days before letting this news break? It'll make Xoan look like the bad guy, and you can establish an image of someone heartbroken. Why not?"Yaslyn was taken aback, not expecting Rowan to have such an imaginative mind. She was momentarily at a loss for words. However, it was indeed a good idea.Seeing Yaslyn abandon the thought of posting on Instagram, Rowan gently touched her hair. "It's going to be revealed sooner or later that we're engaged. Might as well use this to teach Xoan a lesson."Yaslyn was perplexedly amused. "It's such a waste that you aren't in the public relations field.""Is your company hiring? If so, I'll apply," Rowan replied seriously.Yaslyn rolled her eyes. "Get lost. Why are you t
"So what if Rowan had a first love?" Yaslyn asked Brad."That was his first love three years ago. However, the girl went missing after. He was quite fond of her and searched for her for a long time, only to learn that she had passed away."He was disheartened for a long time because of it and eventually immersed himself in his work, expanding the company significantly within two years."Hearing that, Yaslyn silently mused that Rowan seemed to be a man of deep emotions."Let's not talk about this. Since you two are together, just get along well with each other. Besides, I think you two are quite alike."Yaslyn shook her head and smiled. "Two similar people cannot be together. If the person I'm dating is similar to me, what's the point of the relationship? Only two complementary people can bring a fresh perspective to each other."Yaslyn paused before she continued, "Alright, I was just saying. I'll tell Mr. York Carden to discharge you. I'm leaving now."Yaslyn stood up to leave,
Xoan's gaze swirled with an unfamiliar emotion as he pushed Jay's hands away. "Get lost."Jay replied awkwardly, having his earlier enthusiasm extinguished. "I was just joking. If there's any 'marriage robbery,' it's your responsibility.""Why rob?" Xoan asked.Jay appeared offended. "You clearly have feelings for Yaslyn. Although I don't understand why you're with Sadie, anyone with half an eye can see you have no real affection for her."'Is it that obvious?'Xoan swirled the red wine in his glass, his expression shifting slightly."My mother was kidnapped by York. The condition is to force Yaslyn to break up with me and to make her return home for an engagement."The revelation hung in the air, thick with tension and intrigue.Jay froze, disbelief plastered on his face. "Why didn't you tell me about something this big earlier?"Xoan sighed. "Telling anyone wouldn't change a thing."Jay's voice grew louder, his concern evident. "Even if you didn't tell me, you should've tol
Yaslyn followed Xoan to a place Mr. York Carden would never have expected.Inside the FX Club, Forrest, with Yaslyn's laughter echoing around, touched his neck uneasily. "So, you guys plan on staying here?"Yaslyn fluttered her eyes, assuming a pitiable demeanor. "You're like a big brother to me now, aren't you? You wouldn't abandon me, would you?""The real issue is that if Grandpa finds out, he'll slaughter me."Although usually averse to going home, Forrest still harbored a certain dread for Mr. York Carden."Don't worry. I'll never tell on you," Yaslyn reassured him.The club was the safest haven. They just needed to evade Mr. York Carden's hunt until the storm subsided.The trio—Brown, Leon, and Sean—were evidently delighted to see Yaslyn again. Brown, with a beaming smile, suggested, "Yaslyn, now that you're here, why not join our squad? You'd blow up for sure!"Leon agreed, pulling out his phone, "I've been streaming lately. Since you left, my followers increased by a go
Yaslyn's opponent had substantial skills, but he found himself over his head when he tried to battle with her. A swift surrender came in five minutes later.The live stream roared with virtual gifts showering Yaslyn, amounting to nearly five million dollars. However, that was just the beginning.The second contender, another self-proclaimed fan of Yaslyn, was swiftly laid flat. Wonder echoed in the virtual realm at Yaslyn's unparalleled finesse. Some even pleaded to be her apprentice.Numerous gaming squads, lured by her prowess, extended invitations, flaunting offers of fourteen million dollars.Yaslyn remained unswayed, uttering merely, "Next."With admiration abound, there were also negative comments"There are plenty of other people with melodic voices and formidable gaming skills. Generally, they're nothing to look at, seeking their worth in the virtual world due to their insecurities in reality."The comment resonated with some, leading to concurrences and spiteful remarks
Whitey glanced back and forth between them, shaking her head. "You two are a mystery."Suddenly, Doniel stood and waved Whitey over. "Hey, Whitey. Come here for a second."Confused but compliant, Whitey walked over.In a swift move, Doniel took her hand. With a smug look at Matheo, he announced, "I'm taking Whitey off your hands for a bit."Matheo's expression turned steely. "What's your game?""Don't sweat it, she'll be back soon."With that, Doniel led Whitey out.They reached a more secluded spot before Doniel finally released her hand. "Whitey, you're not hurt, right?"Whitey shook her head, twirling in front of him to prove her point. "See? I'm totally fine."Doniel reached out and gently tapped her forehead. "Someone hit you, didn't they? Your face is still swollen, and here you are, telling me it's nothing."Whitey playfully stuck out her tongue. "I just didn't want you to worry. Besides, I'm not the one who got seriously hurt. It was Matheo.""I know. Matheo really d
"Don't make that call!" Whitey screamed in a panic.A harsh slap struck her face as the ringleader yelled, "Shut it, woman! Who said you could talk?"The man, not satisfied after hitting her, gave in to his fury and kicked her. However, before he knew it, Matheo, who was standing nearby, had silently moved behind him. Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed as Matheo snapped the man's fingers with raw force.Matheo wrapped his arms around Whitey and quickly retreated."I can't take it! I'm done. I don't want anything else. Just do it!"The ringleader was seething with rage, the throbbing in his fingers ruining his will to fight Matheo.A few thugs had been itching for a reason to go after Matheo, and they wasted no time grabbing their weapons and launching an assault.Matheo fought back while dragging Whitey out of harm's way, but as the fight dragged on, he started losing ground.A vicious knife cut to Matheo's leg sent him tumbling down with a grunt."Matheo!"Whitey crouched beside
Whitey shook her head. She did not have a clue, and even if she could guess, she did not know what to do about it."I was actually about to..."Before Matheo could finish, a deafening crash rang out.Startled, Whitey clapped her hands over her ears. Matheo wrapped her in his arms and glanced at the rear window.A random stone had shattered the car's back glass, leaving a gaping hole.The chaos erupted out of nowhere, catching both of them off guard. They had been deep in conversation when suddenly, a line of cars barricaded the road, trapping them.Matheo gently patted her head, a silent plea for calm.Whitey, frantic, nodded and fumbled for her phone, only to find it had mysteriously powered down."Stay put in the car and don't worry," Matheo said, handing her his phone."If things go south, call the cops, call anyone."He was ready to step out and face the unknown threat head-on.Whitey protested. "Matheo, we don't know what we're dealing with. Don't just rush out there."
Whitey was back to her usual routine—classes by day, radio station by night. However, she had a luxury she did not have previously. A private car service, ensuring her safety was never in question.Doniel's lips were sealed, not breathing a word of her injury to anyone. Except for Matheo, who had somehow stumbled upon the secret.That night, after her radio gig, Whitey stepped out expecting to see the familiar pink sports car tucked away in its usual spot. However, it was nowhere in sight.Moreover, he had not even bothered to call her. A knot of worry formed in her stomach. Did something happen to him?Whitey had called his number three, maybe four times, but got nothing.As she was wrestling with her thoughts, a familiar yet unsettling figure approached her.Matheo.Why was he there?Nobody knew about Whitey's job at the radio station except Doniel."Doniel's tied up today, so I'm your ride," Matheo said.Alarm bells rang in Whitey's head. How did Matheo know about Doniel
The nurse nodded, gesturing for Doniel to give them some space.Once the bandaging was complete, Doniel returned with a treat—Whitey's beloved chocolate cupcakes."For you. Why didn't you say it hurt? He was so rough, and yet you asked me not to hold it against him."Whitey, her mouth full of frosting, mumbled a reply. "It's not that bad. Besides, you two are usually on good terms. Why fight over pointless things because of me?"Doniel tapped her head gently. "You're such a goof. What are you even talking about? Meaningless things?""I just thought that you two grew up together, so it'd be a shame to fall out over something so small, right?"Doniel huffed, "I never really cared for him, you know.""Okay, let's figure out a plan B. This mess means I might be stuck in the hospital longer, so I'm counting on you to smooth things over back home."Doniel looked at her with a teasing grin. "Relax, I've got this."Somehow, Whitey could always pick up a strange vibe from his smile, an
Whitey was injured, and Doniel rushed her to the hospital that very night. It was just a slash on her arm, but Doniel was beside himself with worry.Watching Whitey grit her teeth through the stitching, Doniel's face turned a shade of stormy gray. "I'll track down that driver's family if it's the last thing I do!"Whitey winced in pain, but seeing Doniel's fury, she tried to soothe him. "Really, it's not so bad."Doniel looked at her bandaged arm. "Thirteen stitches, Whitey. If you're not in pain, I'm in pain for both of us."Whitey was always the center of attention—a princess who was doted on from the day she was born. She had never experienced an injury as severe as that. As Doniel reached for his phone to call Whitey's parents, she quickly stopped him with a hand gesture, wincing as she accidentally grazed her wound, "Please don't call them. They'll just scold me again if they find out.""I told you to let me drive you home. Now, look at what happened because you didn't li
Whitey gripped the edge of her skirt, a new kind of worry blooming in her chest.'What if Matheo was…'She shuddered at the thought, her mind a garden where fears grew into giant oaks, so tall and dark that they scared her.Looking up again, Whitey's eyes widened as she noticed the taxi had taken a wrong turn, heading into unfamiliar territory.In the rearview mirror, she caught a glimpse of the driver's unsettling smirk.Taking a cab late at night was proving to be a bad idea, her heart racing with fear. If only she had accepted a ride from Doniel, none of that would happen. Regret washed over her as she scrambled for her phone, desperate to call for help.Sensing her panic, the driver floored it to a secluded spot and then abruptly stopped the car.Whitey's head snapped forward, hitting the seat, and as the world spun, her phone slipped from her grasp. Then, the driver was toying with her phone, his grin wide and wicked."Planning to call the cops or a friend, sweetheart?""
As time swiftly marched on, three years went by.Whitey nailed her entrance exam into the top university in Jefferson City—Jefferson City University.As for the others, Caleb turned 30, tied the knot, had kids, and took control of Sheldon's international ventures. He and his family packed up and moved overseas, while the rest stayed back."Thanks for tuning into 'Moonlit Wishes,' your go-to spot for all things heartfelt. I'm your host, Macie."At the stroke of ten, Macie's soothing voice filled the evening airwaves."Let's hear from our first caller tonight. Hey there, sir, what's on your mind?"Macie's voice was soothing, soft yet strong enough to coax secrets from the most guarded of hearts."Here's the thing, Macie. I've been head over heels for this girl, but she's always kept me at arm's length, saying I haven't done enough. However, today, I caught her in another guy's arms. What gives?"The man's voice quivered with barely concealed tears, slurred slightly by alcohol.M
"So, just because you're into him, you decide to set me up? How does that make any sense?"Whitey could not help but find her logic almost laughable."Because I noticed he always had a soft spot for you, jealousy clouded my judgment, and that's why I..."Jade inhaled deeply, as if bracing herself for what was to come. "Well, you've uncovered the truth, so there's no point in hiding anything. Punish me however you see fit."What was the point in pleading guilty then?Jade stood there, a mix of defiance and dignity, stubborn even in the face of her mistake.Whitey was not looking to lay blame. "I'm not going to take this to the principal, and I won't breathe a word of it to anyone else. However, as of today, our friendship is done. I'll find a new place to sit when we get back."Whitey let out a tired sigh. "There's something else you should know. He's got a girlfriend now."Jade's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, are you two an item now?""No, I'm not the one he's dating."Wi