A girl on good terms with Leah walked over and draped a jacket amund her shoulders. "Par this on. Don''t catch a cold."


    Leah came from a modest background, and Ethan was the only reason she could hang around these wealthy kids.


    Erhan had been tasked with including her in their activities ever since middle school, so the group was somewhat familiar with most were indifferent, and some even looked down at her, her. A few treated her kindly, but


    Leah rarely refused anyone since she felt inferior and wanted to fit in. She obediently put the jacket on even though she didn''t want to. "Why bother? She''s dressed like that for Ethan Someone exposed her thoughts and caused the entire room to erupt inughter. Leah blusbed and was embarrassed. She could only join in theughter to hide her awlowardness.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    The brief awkwardness didn''t dampen the group''s New Year spirits. The room was soon lively again...


    But Ethan was lost in thought thinking about me, and he felt out of ce in the noisy atmosphere. Leah slowly scooted closer to him just to catch a glimpse of his phone. He was still staring at my group photo.


    A sh of jealousy crossed her face, but she soon feigned surprise and covered her mouth. She eximed in an exaggerated tone, "Oh my, why are Evelyn and living together?"


    The room, which had been noisy a moment ago, fell silent once again. Someone read the room and tumed off the music.


    Liam


    Some grabbed their phones and scrolled through Twitter. After spotting the tweet, they exchanged Imowing nces with unspoken understanding written all over their faces:


    A few youngdies started gossiping loudly after checking out the tweet. "No wonder Evelyn stopped clinging to Ethan. Turns out she''s got a new guy"


    "Who would''ve thought? Evelyn''s quite flirty bah?"


    "Seriously, I don''t get it."


    "Wow, did Evelyn move on this quiddy? She''s with someone else already?"


    Leah''s face lit up with a barely concealed smile. She was satisfied that her words had stirred things up. With a look of regret, she leaned closer to get a better look at Ethan''s phone


    However, Ethan shut off his phone and mmed it on the table. "Is it that interesting?"


    Leah froge and was startled by his sudden outburst. She tooka few seconds to snap out of it. "Ethan, I was just pointing out what I saw. I was doing it for you..." "For me? Why does this have to do with you and me?" Ethan was already frustrated, and his temper finally red after Leah''s meddling.


    It was the first time Leah had heard Ethan speak to her like this, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes. "Ethan..."


    Ethan picked up his phone and moved to a darker of the room. Soon, he spoke again in a more controlled voice and tried to maintain someposure, "You guys keep going. Don''t mind me."


    His phone screen flickered in the dim light, making it hard for anyone to read his expression.


    Given the prominence of the Graysons in Yardville, the tension left everyone feeling uneasy.


    A youngdy sensed the difort and stepped forward to smooth things over. She raised her ss and said with a smile, "It''s gettingte. Shall we wrap this up? "Let''s have onest toast and call it a night. What do you all think?"*


    Others echoed her suggestion and were eager to end the awkward gathering


    Leah poured a drink and brought it to Ethan "Erhan, I overstepped today. I''m sorry."


    Ethan looked at her for a moment before taking the ss from her.