Chapter 6
Seeing Madison, Blake just gave her a flat glance: “You texted while I was with Harper, so we came together.“[]
Madison’s heart got another needle prick. She nodded silently.[]
Throughout the whole barbecue, Blake’s attention was entirely on Harper-[]
He gave her the first pieces of perfectly grilled meat, carefully trimmed off the fat, inserted straws in her drinks, and naturally wiped sauce from the corner of her mouth with a napkin… The kind of attentive care Madison had never experienced.[]
She couldn’t help remembering these past two years.[]
Since Blake was a spoiled rich boy, she’d always been the one carefully managing his moods, remembering all his preferences, accommodating all his habits.[]
She’d even thought that was just his naturally cold personality.[]
Until today, seeing him personally take care of Harper with such detail, she realized–he wasn’t incapable of being caring. That person who could make him willingly lower himself just was never her.]
She even watched Harper casually move food she didn’t like to Blake’s plate, and he just frowned slightly but actually ate it.[]
Madison remembered Blake had serious germaphobia and never ate food others had touched.[]
Once she’d accidentally used her fork to serve him food, and he’d gone cold immediately, not touching that meal again.[]
Apparently, all principles and habits could be broken for the right person.[]
During the meal, they played Truth or Dare.[]
Harper lost first–penalty was three shots of hard liquor.[]
The moment Harper looked uncomfortable, Blake immediately grabbed the glasses: “She can’t drink. I’ll take them.“]
Then he downed three shots without blinking.
L
Later Madison lost too–penalty was eating a whole skewer covered in insane hot sauce.[]
The spice made her eyes water and she couldn’t stop coughing. She instinctively looked toward Blake, but he was busy talking to Harper, not even glancing her way, like he didn’t see her distress at all.]
Madison’s heart went completely numb in his indifference.[]
Later, everyone crowded around Blake asking about internships, leaving just Madison and Harper sitting across from each other.]
Harper looked at Madison with undisguised smugness: “Madison, aren’t you supposed to be Blake’s girlfriend? But this whole time, he’s been right next to me and hasn’t looked at you once“]
Madison silently drank her water.]
“Blake setting for you never made sense, but Jesus, you’re embarrassing.” Harper laughed coldly. “Any girl with half a brain would’ve peaced out already. Your reputation is completely fucked, your family’s irrelevant, and that whole ‘pure princess‘ act? Girl, please. You’re punching way above your weight here and everyone can see it.“[]
Madison stayed silent, like she hadn’t heard []
Harper felt like she was punching cotton, about to continue when a server came to replace their grill coal. Maybe his hand slipped, but the tray of glowing red coals suddenly used, spalling hot coals directly toward Harper and Madison![]
“Ali!” Harper sorraud
in asjait second, Blake shot over and pulled Harper night against him, using his back to shield her from the flying spackat[]
~Maker {]
Harger frantically touched his back, voice breaking “Are you okay? Does it hurt? We guita go to the hospital right now!“[]
Baker was light with pain, cold sweat on his forehead, but he still tried by comfort her “Yeah, I’m good. Just sore. You looked so happy tonight, didn’t want thus exp to mess up 1)
Chapter 6
“No way! Hospital immediately!” Harper insisted.
Madison watched this couple’s touching moment and felt nothing but crushing irony and suffocation.[]
She couldn’t stand it anymore and got up to leave.[]
But Blake suddenly grabbed her wrist, voice demanding: “Where are you going?“||
“Home.” Madison struggled to break free, deliberately mocking: “What, you coming with me?“]
Blake went quiet, his grip loosening. After a long pause, he said stiffly: “…Go ahead then.”
Madison laughed bitterly and left without looking back.[]
The student council tried to smooth things over: “Blake, Madison’s probably just jealous. You should go after her!“[]
Blake stared at the exit, frowning deeply, but finally said coldly: “Don’t worry about her. She’ll get over it.“[]”
Madison went back to the apartment alone. For once, neither Blake nor Ryan showed up that night.[]
She finally got a rare, undisturbed evening, but still tossed and turned.]
Late that night, her phone suddenly rang shrilly–Blake calling.[]
