Bye My Stepbrother 21

She opened her eyes in confusion, thinking instinctively that it

was Roderick who had caught her.

But what came into her view was the face of a strange man.

His sharp features, straight nose, and thin lips radiated

masculinity, yet his luminous eyes softened the edges, adding a

touch of gentleness to his demeanor.

As their eyes met, she couldn’t help but be drawn to his deep–set

eyes.

Realizing she was in a stranger’s embrace, she couldn’t help but

blush. Standing up hastily, she was so shy that she even forgot

to thank him.

After she steadied herself, he let go and asked with concern, his

voice nothing but gentle and pleasant to the ear, “Ma’am, are

you OK?”

His strikingly handsome face gave off an unapproachable aura,

but he actually spoke with consideration and gentleness.

She had barely regained her footing when his voice made her

heart race.

Embarrassment washed over her as a stranger saw her in such a

sorry state.

Not wanting to fall again, she carefully rested her arm on the

windowsill.

Then she smiled gracefully, “I’m fine. It was just a misstep.

Thank you!”

He shifted his gaze downward upon hearing what she said.

The exquisite, luxurious high heels made her legs even more

slender and straight.

But the heels were at least ten centimeters. Walking around in

them was extremely difficult and dangerous.

He said, “Those heels are too high, and you may very much get

hurt. Would you like me to have someone bring over a pair of

flats?”

Andrea waved her hand quickly.

“That won’t be necessary. Thank you, though.”

For one thing, they hardly knew each other, and she didn’t want

to trouble him.

For another, Roderick matched her entire outfit, including those

heels.

Once he knew she had changed into the shoes from another

man, he’d act all crazy.

She didn’t mind, but she wouldn’t drag anyone else into this.

Not wanting any trouble, she decided to keep wearing the heels.

“I insist. What’s your shoe size?” the man said.

Andrea smiled, “Thank you very much. But I’ll manage.”

Sensing the firmness in her tone, he didn’t press further.

He nodded slightly and said, “Alright then. Do be careful.”

She couldn’t help but feel warm because she had seldom been

cared about like this.

Maybe it was because they were from the same soil and were

far from home.

At this, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and asked,

“Were you also a student here before?”

He arched an eyebrow, turned around, leaned against the wall,

rested his slender arm on the windowsill, and raised his chin in

a certain direction.

She looked over and saw a photo of two people hanging on the

wall.

She recognized one of them–it was the principal, whom she had

met before.

The other was apparently younger. He held a golden trophy in

his arms, radiating sunlit vitality.

It was the younger him with vibrant energy.

“You won first prize in the 13th Norcos Global Physics

Competition?”

Somehow, she felt she had heard of the competition before.

Then it clicked–Roderick had taken part in that very same

competition, the thirteenth edition no less.

Utterly competitive, he had always come in first in every

competition he entered. That was the only time he placed

second.

A display case taking up the entire wall back home was solely

for his trophies and medals.

Amid the golden sea, the only silver trophy stood out.

That was why Andrea remembered this competition so vividly.

She glanced at the man’s handsome face and couldn’t help but

feel a bit odd,