Chapter 126

The tall, slender man wore only a white dress shirt, buttoned to the top. His tie was perfectly knotted, creating an image of sensual restraint. He held his white suit jacket in one strong, lean hand, while the other held hers, his grip light. But where their skin touched, a tingling warmth spread through her.

Marguerite froze, her pupils dilating, her heart pounding like a war drum in her ears. Thump. Thump. Thump.

Her mind went blank, her face flushed. She couldn't think. Why was George holding her hand?

For George, it felt as if time had stopped. Stella still wanted to retaliate against Joshua but was hesitating, so she had looked to him for a cue. He decided to help her. Even though he was just helping her, the decision to take her hand had been impulsive. The moment their hands truly connected, George's nerves frayed, and his heart leaped into his throat.

How many times had he dreamed of holding Stella's hand? He never imagined it would happen under these circumstances. But it was more than enough. At least he could hold her hand once. Not a comforting pat, but a real hand-hold, like a couple.

Like a couple.

He didn't dare to squeeze too tightly, keeping his grip loose so she could pull away at any moment. What if she lost her nerve? A fine layer of sweat broke out on the refined man's back, but his expression remained calm and steady as he looked coolly at Joshua.

Joshua was already furious after seeing them holding hands through the window. Now, to have them do it right in front of him—his nostrils flared, and he opened his mouth to unleash his rage. "Abba... abba... abba..."

Marguerite stared.

George stared.

Joshua stared.

The air hung silent for two seconds. Marguerite's flush of infatuation instantly morphed into skin-crawling, toe-curling embarrassment.

"Oh my God, how can my ex-boyfriend be this mortifying? Can someone please teach me how to turn back time?"

Just then, the elevator doors opened, and people stepped out. Marguerite tightened her grip on George's hand and pulled him inside, not wanting to stay a second longer.

His tongue numb from the spray, Joshua had never been so humiliated. He clapped a hand over his mouth and stood frozen to the spot. Aripple of laughter came from the nurse's station. He shot @vicious glare in that direction and everyone, immediately pretended to be busy. Joshua's fists clenched, his chest tight with anger, a vein throbbing at his temple.

The elevator doors finally closed. With Joshua not in pursuit, Marguerite breathed a sigh of relief. The warmth on her hand vanished, leaving it feeling empty. She blinked her long, dark lashes.

Beside her, the handsome man spoke. "Aren't you going to check on him? It looks like someone struck him mute."

The words hit Marguerite like a physical blow. Great. George definitely knew Joshua. And not only did he know him, he knew they had. dated Of course he knew. Joshua's grand confession of love had happened shortly after their final exams and had become the talk of every student group chat.

"Why would I care about him?" Marguerite said, forcing an awkward smile and talking a little too much in her haste to explain. "We broke up. He has a new girlfriend. He doesn't need my concern."

Broke up?

George's breath hitched. They broke up today? It made sense. Stella was far too proud. With a supposed girlfriend showing up on her doorstep, there was no way she would have stayed with Joshua. A clean break was exactly her style.

Seeing the smile and hearing her mention Joshua's new girlfriend, George's eyes softened. He adjusted his glasses with one finger and offered gentle comfort. "Don't be sad. He's clearly not having a good time either."

Sad? She wasn't sad at all. People's preconceptions truly were a mountain, Everyone-Theobald, Joshua, and now even

George seemed to think she

have been deeply in love with Joshua, since she had accepted him. right before she time-traveled. Maybe it was because she was usually so cautious and methodical in her decisions, being a top student and all. They probably thought she had given his confession serious thought before accepting.