BuzzNovelWith Lucy’s gentle encouragement, Ileana nervously returned to the classroom. At first, discomfort clung to her
every movement, but as she realized no one was paying her any special attention, she finally exhaled in relief.
Gone was the cheerful, outgoing girl from before; in her place was someone careful and quiet, doing everything
possible to avoid drawing notice.
Whenever she accidentally made a noise, no matter how small, lleana would glance anxiously at Lucy. Only
when Lucy met her eyes with a reassuring nod did she allow herself to relax again.
Of course, others noticed this change in her, too. Her air of wounded vulnerability was so conspicuous that most
people simply decided to ignore her. The day passed without further incident-a welcrelief.
After school, crowds of students poured out of the building.
“Hey, isn’t that Max?” someone whispered nearby.
“Who?”
“You know, the guy who's always on the school website. Didn't you go to the family party yesterday?”
Realization dawned on the friend, who smacked her companion’s arm, excitement written all over her face. “He's
even more stunning in person than in those photos. No wonder no one’s cclose to knocking him off his
pedestal all these years.”
“What's he doing here?”
“Want to bet? Is he here for Alessia or Ileana?”
“My money's on lleana. He was the one who stepped in and calmed things down yesterday. Besides, she’s his
little sister. Alessia’s been at this school forever-have you ever seen Max show up for her?”
“Are we about to witness a doting big brother moment?” one friend said, eyes sparkling, unconsciously slowing
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇther pace as she kept glancing toward where Max
stood.
“You know, you might be onto something,” the other girl replied, instantly convinced. Several others who'd
witnessed yesterday's drifted over, curiosity pulling them like magnets.
After all, gossip is practically a sport among teenagers.
1/2
16:43
Chapter 83
Fortunately, they didn’t have to wait long before one of the story's stars appeared.
“lleana, isn't that your brother?” Lucy nudged her. Ileana had already spotted him her whole face brightened,
convinced Max was here to stand up for her after everything that had happened.
As Max himself had said, they were both Tates. There was no way they'd let the family’s reputation take a hit-at
least not in front of everyone. Max had handled last night's fiasco with grace and authority, and that alone made
Illeana certain he’d ctoday for her sake.
“Yeah, after my little brother's antics at the party yesterday, Max spent the whole night reassuring me. He
promised to takeout for a fancy dinner,” Ileana said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, a soft smile
settling on her lips.
Lucy nodded, understanding. “Then go on-don’t keep your brother waiting.”
“Cwith me! | want to introduce you,” Illeana insisted, grabbing Lucy’s hand before she could protest.
Lucy blushed, flustered. “I-I'm not sure that’s a good idea...”
“You're my only real friend here—why
wouldn't it be? Don't worry, Max
doesn't bite.” lleanats Rridewas m
opviaud Whethér in the Morton
family or the Tate family, her older
brother was always someone she
boasted about. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Lucy finally gave in, letting lleana pull her along.
“Max!” lleana called, grinning as she waved at him, dragging Lucy through the crowd.
“Max, what are you doing here? | told
you you didn't have Temes
she sai cayefuttylcho ing her
works so he wouldn't accidentally let
anything slip. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
She let go of Lucy’s hand and moved to hug her brother, but Max sidestepped, the faint crease in his brow
betraying his irritation.
lleana froze, glancing instinctively at
Lucy, whose expression Was plank
with confusion. @s ¥shed just
shapbed out of a daze. Only then did
lleana’s tense smile The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
return.
Chapter 84
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