Chapter 459

Brandon probably knew I was still upset, so he didn't say anything else. When I saw Derick, he was wearing a prison uniform, his once-handsome hair shorn so close it was almost bald. This was a look I had never seen before. For a moment, I felt like my tears were about to fall. Derick's success was hard-won. He had earned his place in Chris' social circle through his own capabilities. But this time, it could be his downfall. "Derick," I called out to him softly. "What are you doing here?" he asked, smiling at me. He was always like that, smiling brightly in front of me, as if his world was always bathed in sunshine. I was speechless for a moment, and he laughed again. "Do you think I'm so ugly now that you don't even want to talk to me?" I shook my head. Chris had said that Derick was in a bad mood, but the person in front of me was still smiling brightly. So, this was a facade, driven by his desire to spare me from worry and protect me from seeing him at his lowest. "Derick