“There’s nothing going on between me and Miss Mirabel,” Richard said, his voice steady, though his mind raced as he met their curious gazes. “I just think she’s always had a way of looking out for me. Now that she needs my help, it only feels right to return the favor.”Charles and Oliver exchanged a glance, skepticism still evident in their eyes. Richard's tone was so calm, his words so confident, that they couldn’t quite read him. He seemed sincere, but they both knew how well Richard could hide his true feelings. Still, the certainty in his eyes made them pause. Perhaps, for once, he wasn’t keeping something from them.The conversation lingered in the air as they shifted back into the rhythm of the day’s classes. Richard, however, felt a sense of quiet unease settle over him. He couldn’t help but wonder about Miss Mirabel’s intentions. What could she possibly want from him? He knew it wasn’t just about the schoolwork—there was always something more to her gestures, but he couldn’t q

Richard could feel the tension building in the air, the weight of Lily's disdain pressing down on him. He could sense the coldness in her tone, the way her eyes flicked over him as though he were beneath her. But Richard, despite the harshness of her words and demeanor, remained calm. He wasn't about to waste his time trying to engage with someone who looked down on him so readily. There was no point in it.What irked him the most was that he had just been kind to his friends, trying to give them a good time. Yet here was Lily, who clearly saw herself as superior, as if the title of "waiter" automatically made him beneath her. Richard had no time for that, nor would he tolerate it. He wasn't going to let her affect his mood.Oliver, on the other hand, was fuming. He was already starting to regret his relationship with Dora, especially since she kept associating with people like Lily. The thought of Lily dismissing Richard, especially when Richard was the one footing the bill for the ev

As Dominic and Jane stood up, their movement caught the attention of their friends, who were seated around the table. There was a moment of hushed surprise before the others followed suit, curious to see what was happening. With determined steps, they made their way toward Richard and his friends.Richard, who had been enjoying the lighthearted conversation with Chloe, immediately sensed the shift in the atmosphere. He could feel the approaching threat of trouble, and the weight of the situation pressed heavily on his chest. His mind raced, but it was too late to change anything now. The storm was about to hit.Dominic and his group of friends arrived at their table, and as they did, the tone of the conversation shifted. Dominic’s eyes gleamed with an unspoken challenge as he spoke loudly enough for everyone around to hear. “I can see you all are having a nice time together, but some of you here have been hiding your true identities. You're in disguise,” Dominic declared, his voice dri

Richard had been struggling with the weight of his friends' judgments, yet he tried to maintain his composure, believing better days were ahead. Despite the constant ridicule and whispers, he was determined to keep moving forward.When he left Ms. Mirabel's house, he was filled with a mixture of conflicting emotions. The events that had unfolded in her home had left him feeling a certain discomfort. He couldn’t quite shake the images of her changing clothes, nor the strange sense of vulnerability he’d felt being in her private space. Richard was determined to put all of that behind him, yet the memory lingered. He had tried so hard to stay composed in front of her, but now that he was alone, his thoughts were clouded."Thanks for helping today," Ms. Mirabel had said, her voice calm, even though Richard could sense there was more on her mind. She had always been considerate, always the one lecturer who seemed to care beyond the classroom. That was something he truly appreciated.As Rich

As Richard was surrounded by the group of hotel security guards, a sinking feeling of disappointment washed over him. These men, supposed to be protectors, had clearly sided with Barry, ready to assist in his devious plans."Will you allow Mr. Barry and his girlfriend to go in and carry out their couple's duties, or do you want to face us?" one of the bodyguards, who appeared to be their leader, spoke with authority.Richard's resolve hardened as he looked at the men surrounding him. "Can't you see that Barry is trying to take advantage of Christabel? I'm sure you all have sisters at home. How would you feel if it were her in this situation? Would you rather let another man exploit her, or would you want to protect her from worthless men like Barry?" Richard spoke with an intensity that reflected his deep concern for Christabel.The security guard scoffed. "Christabel isn't our sister, so we don't care what happens to her. We're only interested in getting our reward from Mr. Barry. I w