Annabelle Linton and the college student turned around at the same time and flinched when they saw Aaron Wyatt’s grim face.

"...Is that your boyfriend?" the college student asked, his tone mournful and sad. Although it was a question, he had clearly already made up his mind.

"No—"

"What do you think!" Aaron Wyatt snapped at the student before Annabelle Linton could even speak.

The college student, seeing how Aaron Wyatt looked ready to eat him alive, took two steps back and chuckled nervously. "Hey, uh, I just thought this beautiful lady looked like my Ruby. No offense, alright? Well then, I wish you two a long and happy life together!"

With that, the college student bolted, leaving a bewildered Annabelle Linton to watch him sprint away.

’...’ ’So much for insisting I had to be your girlfriend no matter what I said.’

Aaron Wyatt noticed Annabelle Linton was still staring in the direction the young man had fled and sneered, "Still looking? Can’t bear to see him go?"

"No." Annabelle Linton snapped out of her daze and blurted out without thinking, "You just showed up so suddenly, I was a little caught off guard."

Aaron Wyatt’s face darkened. "So you’re saying I came at a bad time? That I interrupted you two?"

Annabelle Linton: "..."

Aaron Wyatt left her behind and started walking ahead. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Annabelle Linton rubbed her forehead, a headache coming on. ’This is ridiculous.’

Leading her son by the hand, she humbly hurried to catch up, not understanding why he was suddenly so angry. "What’s wrong with you? Just tell me what’s going on! If you’re going to condemn me, at least tell me what I did!"

Aaron Wyatt ignored her.

"Lord Wyatt, it’s really embarrassing for me to follow you around apologizing like this. I’m begging you, your lordship, could you please just acknowledge me?"

"..."

"This is so humiliating. Don’t be like this."

"..." Aaron Wyatt ignored her, sitting down on a bench under a large tree.

He then thrust a cup of ice cream into her hands before unwrapping his own and starting to eat it, ignoring her completely.

’He wasn’t like this before,’ Annabelle Linton thought, feeling mentally drained.

"Lord Wyatt, will you please just say something!"

"..."

"I was just here talking to your son when that kid came over. I didn’t even get to say anything..."

Seeing that he was still ignoring her, Annabelle Linton shouted, her voice stern and angry, "Aaron Wyatt!"

Aaron Wyatt, who had been eating his ice cream, froze for a moment when he heard her shout.

She stared at him without blinking, and Aaron Wyatt’s heart tightened.

’She isn’t actually mad, is she?’

’I just wanted her to care about me a little more. I hope this doesn’t backfire!’

’This won’t do!’

Just as Aaron Wyatt was about to say something, he saw Annabelle Linton scoop up a large spoonful of ice cream, hold it to his lips, and say earnestly, "I was wrong!"

Aaron Wyatt: "..."

He glanced at her, haughtily ate the ice cream, and then continued to ignore her, lowering his head to play with a dog.

"..."

Annabelle Linton had had enough. She put down her ice cream and started to walk away.

Seeing this, Aaron Wyatt grew anxious and quickly grabbed her arm to stop her from leaving.

Annabelle Linton hadn’t expected him to pull her. She lost her footing and stumbled right into his arms.

Staring at each other wide-eyed, both of their bodies instantly went rigid.

While it wasn’t the first time they’d had physical contact, they had never been locked in such a full embrace before!

Aaron Wyatt held her.

Her body was soft and fragrant. The fresh, sweet scent of a young woman washed over him, leaving him mesmerized and utterly enchanted.

Annabelle Linton was stunned for a moment, then quickly tried to push him away to ease the awkwardness.

Aaron Wyatt felt her struggle, and a wicked glint flashed in his eyes as he held her even tighter.

The more Annabelle Linton struggled, the tighter Aaron Wyatt held on.

The sight of them embracing on the bustling street created a beautiful scene.

...

「In a restaurant.」

SLAM!

Leona Grant viciously slammed her knife and fork onto the table. She stared coldly at the embracing couple outside the window, a palpable, bone-chilling aura radiating from her.