Chapter 1068

Dorian glanced at Josefina with a hint of concern. "You sure you want me here?" he asked, his voice gentle. Josefina was quick to reassure him, "No, Dorian, I'm glad you're here to pick me up from school. Thank you."

Dorian opened the car door, motioning for Josefina to hop in. Oliver stood nearby, not making a fuss. He knew well enough-Josie was practically his fiancée now, so he got why Dorian might not be his biggest fan.

As Josefina settled into the passenger seat, a subtle, satisfied smile played on Dorian's lips. He shot Oliver a quick, knowing glance before driving off.

Oliver climbed into his own car and tailed them. The scene unfolded in silence as curious onlookers watched.

"Man, some folks just have all the luck," one of them muttered, a tinge of envy in their voice.

"Who knows what's going on with Josefina and these guys? Two of them showing up to pick her up? Maybe she's juggling too many and it's about to blow up in her face," Joelle sneered, her expression dripping with spite.

Mandy, who had just arrived, overheard Joelle's nasty comment and cut in sharply, "Looks like your mind's in the gutter if that's all you can see! Didn't you hear her call him Dorian? Maybe get your ears checked before you start spreading lies."

"Yeah, I heard it. She definitely called him Dorian," someone else added in agreement.

"And they do look like they could be related," another chimed in.

Mandy, fierce and unyielding, lifted her chin with defiance. "Joelle, with all your gossiping, you'd probably drink a bowl of sewage if it came rolling by your front door."

Joelle was nearly in tears, especially under the scrutinizing glares from those around her. Mandy was a whirlwind, relentless in her defense of Josefina.

"We're supposed to be educated college students, not mindless sheep following idle gossip! Just because your life's a mess doesn't mean everyone else's is too!"

Fuming, Joelle pointed an accusing finger at Mandy, stepping forward in anger.

Mandy took a step back, "Stay away, I'm not keen on dealing with rabid dogs." The crowd directed disdainful eyes at Joelle.

"I heard Joelle ditched her dorm buddies to hang out with Shay. Now that Shay's out of the picture, she wants back in Does she think the dorm's her personal hotel?

ontent

"Yeah, she's got more schemes than a hornet's nest. Best to steer clear of her."

"Let's go. Even catching her eye feels like bad luck."

Joelle's

Was it es burned with anger.

Was it so wrong to want a

Shay's absence hadternet fend for herself against etter et

gossip.

Fury coursed through her as she locked her venomous gaze on Mandy.

Mandy stood her ground, stepping forward, "What, you think your eyes are machine guns now?"

Overwhelmed, Joelle turned and left, tears

if 9 down her face. She

tripped and fell her nose bleeding as if to add insult to insult to injury. .net>

Joelle sat by the lake, tears flowing like a river. "Why does everyone pick on me?"

she sobbed, her cries echoing her despair.

As she wept like a tragic heroine, a delicate figure approached her...