Chapter 68 Leah’s Complaints
“It’s fine. Are you okay?” Daniel asked gently, noticing how pale Leah looked.
+8 Pearls
Leah smiled bitterly and shook her head. Her voice grew hoarse, and she choked out, “I’m fine. Besides, it’s not the first time… I’ve… gotten used to it.”
The keywords caught Daniel’s attention. “What do you mean by not the first time? Leah, Milo’s always treated you well. Did he bully you?”
“It’s not really considered bullying… Daniel, let’s just go to class.”
Leah looked away and was unwilling to say more.
The hesitation and restraint in her expression didn’t escape Daniel’s sharp eyes.
“Leah, if you don’t tell me the truth, I’ll go ask Milo myself,” he said firmly.
His usual warmth was replaced with a rare streak of stubbornness.
“No, Daniel, don’t…”
Leah bit her lip and she finally let her grievances spill out under Daniel’s unrelenting gaze.
“Milo has always cared for me. Out of all my brothers, he’s treated me the best since we were kids. No matter what happens, he’s always been my protector. But ever since Chara came back … he has changed.
“Maybe it’s the bond of blood … My family keeps reassuring me that Chara’s return won’t diminish their love for me, and Milo said the same. But I can feel it. Milo cares more about her now.
“Like with this whole plagiarism scandal. After the video of me apologizing to Chara blew up online yesterday, Milo came straight to me. He blamed me … said I shouldn’t have cried in front of Charmaine.”
Her eyes were brimming with tears as she continued, “I didn’t want to cry either, but … but I was thinking of the family’s reputation! I was upset, too! If I wasn’t forced to, why would I have touched Charmaine’s designs? But Milo just keeps holding this against me. I don’t know what to do anymore. Daniel, what should I do to make Milo forgive me?”
Finally, she tilted her face up while her teary innocent eyes sought answers from him.
Daniel couldn’t bear to see her like this. He gently pulled her into his arms and let her rest against his chest.
“You’ve been through so much,” he murmured with a heavy sigh.
After a moment, an idea came to him. “I might have a way to ease the tension between Charmaine and the Nelsons.”
Leah’s heart skipped a beat. “What is it?”
“Next week is my grandmother’s birthday. Why don’t we invite Charmaine over as a guest? If my grandmother speaks with her, it might help smooth things over. Charmaine has always respected my grandmother.”
Two years ago, when Daniel and Charmaine frequently caused trouble, it was Alessa who stepped in to clean up the mess. Charmaine had a great deal of admiration for her.
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Chapter 68 Leah’s Complaints
+8 Pearls
Leah had met Alessa a few times, but Alessa’s attitude toward her had always been cold and distant. Worse, she often asked in front of Leah why Daniel and Charmaine hadn’t come to visit her.
Remembering those encounters, a flicker of hatred and jealousy darkened Leah’s gaze.
“What do you think, Leah?” Daniel asked.
“That sounds like a wonderful idea,” Leah replied with a bright smile. “Thank you, Daniel, for helping me.”
Daniel returned her smile. “No problem. It’s the least I can do.”
Leah and Daniel arrived late to class, and their entrance drew teasing whistles and cheers from their
classmates.
Celeste and Veronica, seated diagonally behind Charmaine, immediately began making playful comments.
“Leah, Daniel’s here to accompany you to class again today?” Celeste teased loudly.
Charmaine ignored the commotion. She was focused on her textbook as if she hadn’t heard a thing.
Leah, blushing shyly, held Daniel’s hand as they sat down.
“Celeste, stop teasing us,” Leah said softly.
“Oh, come on! What’s there to be shy about? You two are the campus‘ most famous couple. Everyone knows
it!”
Daniel smiled politely as his gaze inadvertently drifted to Charmaine sitting ahead of him. His eyes darkened slightly as they lingered on her back.
“I ordered some snacks earlier,” he announced casually. “They’ll be delivered soon. Since it’s a new semester, I’ll be counting on everyone to look after Leah again.”
“Wow! You’re so generous, Daniel!”
“Ugh, another day to envy other people’s love lives. When will it be my turn to have a sweet romance
Celeste looked in Charmaine’s direction and said, “Some people were so aggressive yesterday, but I wonder if they’ll be thick–skinned enough to drink the coffee sent by someone else’s boyfriend today.”
“Celeste, stop it,” Leah said softly, pretending to stop her.
Celeste wasn’t done. “It’s true, though! She caused you to get scolded yesterday and today she’s acting like nothing happened. What a b*tch!”
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