BuzzNovelTwo years ago, his parents were in a terrible car crash while moving to a new house. Mr. Whitley died at the
scene, and Ms. June has been in a coma ever since, To keep The Whitley Group afloat during the chaos, he took a
year off from school Even after stabilizing the company and returning to his studies, he only comes back for
major exams. That's why he isn’t in the regular class, but instead sits among the investors.
When Justin spoke about it, his tone was casual, almost light, but no one knew better than him just how much
effort Cole had poured into holding things together. Justin had watched Cole grow up, looked out for him like a
brother, so he understood exactly what it all had cost.
Besides, everyone knew about Cole’s situation-there were no secrets to keep or topics to tiptoe around. Since
Dave had brought it up first, Justin figured it was better to fill them in than risk someone cluelessly asking Alessia
about it and stumbling into her emotional minefield.
“But just a word of advice,” Justin added, “don’t mention Cole's parents in front of Alessia. In fact, it's probably
best to pretend you don’t even know Cole exists.”
Unlike how he treated Stella, Justin genuinely saw Cole and Alessia as family-like a brother and sister. He was
glad Alessia had finally broken free from the Tate family, found her own freedom, and was surrounded by people
who truly cared about.her. Knowing she didn’t dislike the Mortons, he felt it was worth it to warn them. For
anyone else, Justin wouldn't have wasted his breath. Whether they'd listen or not wasn’t something he could
control.
Ethan and Liam pressed their lips together and said nothing, but they took Justin's words to heart.
Out on the field, after collecting their medals, the three of them stepped down from the podium.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“It's been three years now. I'ye won every championship out there, but never managed to take first place at the
school’s sports meet,” Alessia’s rival said with a wry smile. There was a hint of frustration, but more than
anything, admiration.
She was a nationally ranked athlete-maybe she’d been unwilling to accept defeat the first year, maybe even the
second. But by the third year, losing to the sperson over and over, and not even one who'd had professional
training... Well, that left no room for complaints.
“See our team captain over there?” Alessia gestured toward Pierce.
Her rival followed Alessia’s finger and spotted Pierce spinning around with th of their classmates, laughing like a
fool.
She nodded. “Yeah, what about him?”
“This is his last year here. If we don’t win, he’ll be moping for a week. So... sorry about that.” Alessia’s lips curled
into a confident grin.
Her rival shook her head and sighed. “You know, your class always seems so laid-back, like everyone's in their
own world. But when it comes to team competitions, you all give it everything you've got.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than the announcer declared that their class had just won the boys‘ long
jump too.
They exchanged a smile-one shrugged, the other rolled her eyes in resignation.
« . i
My friends are over there. I'll catch
. )
you later. Three years running— al
just glad you never Heide to go pro,
MRS
ok else. I™Her rival trailed off, grinned,
then waved goodbye and jogged off
toward her own group. The content is
on novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
a q ), q q
Alessia didn't reply, just smiled
faintly—a smile that never quite
reached her eyes. As the crowd
bustled around per éretolra quiet
Sb audible above the noise.
She was about to leave when Stella
suddenly launched herself across the
field and threw her arms around her,
with Pierce and the others trailing
behind. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
“Lessie, you were amazing!” Stella squealed, clinging to Alessia’s back like she'd won the championship herself-
or maybe even happier than if she had.
Alessia reached back to steady her, laughing as she gently pried Stella off and set her back on her feet. Stella
quickly handed her a bottle of water.
« . ) DER
Alessia! You're my hero!” Pierce
cried, beaming like her biggest fa
: O11
Somehow, hed mahlaged to gét his
0 q I,
Hands ON Stan printed with Alessia’s
face, and several classmates waved
matching fans, all grinning ear to ear.
12:03
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