Chapter 7

Liam's playful and teasing voice sounded, but I didn't even think about turning around. I wanted nothing to do with Ethan, and even less with him. He walked up to me with his arms crossed, openly staring at me as he rubbed his chin and continued, "You're different from the rumors. They all say you chase after Ethan like a stubborn glue, but just now it looked like you were eager to draw a line between you two. "So what's the deal? New tactic? Playing hard to get?" He suddenly leaned in as he spoke, and his breath brushed against my cheek. "Is this some kind of new strategy to get his attention?" I instinctively recoiled from his closeness, but a large warm hand gripped my shoulder before I could move. Someone pulled me back, and I found myself falling into a familiar embrace that smelled of cedarwood. "Stay away from her!" Ethan's voice was icy. I looked up reflexively and saw his tightly pursed lips and the irritation in his eyes. I couldn't understand what he was so annoyed about, but being held so close to him made me feel incredibly uncomfortable. "Let go of me," I said while pushing out of his embrace and taking two steps back to put some distance between us. Ethan seemed surprised by my retreat. He stared at me for a few seconds. But just as he was about to speak, Leah suddenly appeared and grabbed his arm. "Ethan, what took you so long to buy some water?" Then, as if just noticing me, Leah said, "Oh, Evelyn, you're here too." I glanced at her and muttered a simple "Mm". "Did you follow Ethan here?" Leah's eyes darted between Ethan and me as she clung to his arm and spoke in a sweet and innocent voice. "Ethan, it's late. You shouldn't hold it against Evelyn for following you. It's not very safe for a girl out here by herself." Her words were passive-aggressive Just as I was about to respond, Liam's face turned cold as he interjected, "Miss, do you know that spreading false rumors can have legal consequences?" Liam usually came across as gentle and affectionate, but in reality, he was cold and indifferent. Once his mask of false kindness slipped, he became someone dark and ruthless, like a cheetah in the savannah. One moment, he was lazily basking in the sun, the next baring its fangs to bite into its prey's neck. Leah was frightened and shrank closer to Ethan as she said in a trembling voice, "Ethan, I don't know what he's talking about." Ethan didn't push her away. Instead, he loosely protectively held her. He looked at me coldly and said, "Apologize." Even though I had witnessed Ethan's favoritism countless times before, it still hurt every time I saw it. He knew perfectly well that I was here because of tonight's banquet. He understood everything, yet he allowed Leah to say whatever she wanted. I didn't want to get caught up in this pointless conflict or become a pawn in their little war, but sometimes I had no choice. "Apologize? Who exactly should be apologizing to whom?" I asked expressionlessly as I stared back at Ethan, meeting his gaze without flinching, almost challenging him. Ethan's expression darkened, and the air around us seemed to freeze. I forced a smile and turned to leave. Some people were just inherently biased, and they would always be that way. As I reached the roadside, Ethan grabbed my wrist. "Did I say you could leave?" His voice was cold. I laughed bitterly. "Why would I need your permission? Ethan, who do you think you are?" Ethan, I won't listen to you anymore. I won't even want to. "Evelyn!" His grip tightened around my wrist so hard it felt like he might break it. "Say that again." "You're hurting her." Liam stepped forward, pried Ethan's hand from my wrist, and pulled me behind him, shielding me completely. "Get lost!" Ethan grabbed Liam's collar. "Why should I?" Liam squeezed the hand that held his collar and smiled provocatively. "Or maybe you should ask Evelyn whether she wants you or me to get lost." Ethan's eyes suddenly locked onto mine, and as I looked up, I met his stormy gaze. I frowned instinctively. Just as I was about to say that I'd leave, Leah rushed over and grabbed Liam's arm. "Let go of Ethan! Let go!" she demanded before turning her angry glare toward me. "Evelyn, say something! Do you want to see them fight?" "What does this have to do with me?" I glanced at my wrist, which was red from being squeezed. Finally, my patience snapped. "I didn't provoke any of you tonight. If you have issues, deal with them yourselves. Don't waste my time." With that, I didn't give them another look. I hailed a taxi and left. As soon as I got into the taxi, I leaned against the window, watching the streetlights blur past. For some reason, I felt utterly exhausted. I no longer had the same obsessions in this life. All I wanted was to distance myself from those who had hurt me in the past and live my own life. However, reality kept dragging me back into entanglements with Ethan, Leah, and even Liam, who I hadn't met until my sophomore year in the previous life. I suddenly felt scared that I wouldn't be able to escape the fate I suffered in my last life. When Lyla picked me up, I was already in a bad state. Thankfully, she was considerate and didn't ask me any questions, only suggesting that I get some rest. I thanked her, took a shower, changed into fresh clothes, and forced myself to sleep. No matter what fate had in store for me, I'd face it head-on. I wouldn't let myself be defeated by unfounded fears. Once I figured that out, the knot in my heart loosened significantly. The college entrance exams would begin in five days. I needed to focus all my energy on that. In my previous life, I wasn't able to study fashion design or become a fashion designer, but this time, I would make it happen. The next day, Lyla and I were buried in a sea of study materials when her phone suddenly buzzed. She answered it, and after a couple of "mm"s, I stopped paying her any attention and turned to find the solution to a difficult math problem in my review book. But before I could find it, Lyla came over with her phone in hand. She sat down, pursed her lips together, and did not write a single word for several minutes. She had something on her mind. I put down my test paper and tied up my hair as I asked her, "Who called? Why do you look so distracted?" Lyla set her pen aside and turned to face me, clearly hesitant. She made me laugh, so I reached out and pinched her chubby cheek, teasing her. "Come on. Just say it. Don't give me that pitiful face." "You asked for it," Lyla replied cautiously as she watched my expression closely. I nodded, and she took a deep breath before finally speaking as if gathering all her courage. "Ethan called. He said he's waiting for you outside our house."