In front of me, without hesitation, he wiped
the water from her face.
His friends, seeing me standing there, looked
displeased and started whispering.
Their words were full of criticism, saying I
was bullying her.
Sarah looked at me timidly.
At that moment, I really felt like I was the one
く
who should leave.
That night, I barely ate anything before
claiming to feel unwell and leaving.
I thought Garrett would stay to comfort the
fragile Sarah, but he ran into the rain to stop
- me.
He took me to a nearby tea shop, ordered a
hot drink and placed it in my arms, then ran
back into the rain to buy a towel to wrap me
- up.
“Chloe, don’t be angry with me. Sarah’s family
is very strict, if I let her go home and tell her
father to cancel the marriage, she’ll be
punished.”
“I only treat her like a sister, that’s why I pay
extra attention to her.”
“Don’t overthink it, you’re the only one in my
eyes and heart.”
Seeing me shiver, he sat down and hugged
me tightly, constantly rubbing my hands to
warm them.
Although I’was conflicted, under his tender
care, I decided to let go of my resentment
and trust him.
But he ut he
#timately betrayed my trust.
After that night, Sarah openly clung to
Garrett.
They talked about business and jewelry
shows, like a perfect couple.
Not only the alumni, even I thought they were
dating.
Sarah even came to confront me as if she’d
already won:
“Chloe, Garrett can treat me as a sister now,
he’ll treat me as his lover later. Let’s see how
it goes.”
I couldn’t argue, watching her leave with a
triumphant smile.
It was a weekend, Garrett told me he was
going to play basketball with his friends to
<
I called him to meet me.
He was furious: “Didn’t we agree I was going
to play basketball? It makes me look bad to
bail on my friends!”
I was also angry and angrily told him what
Sarah said.
Hearing me, his tone worsened even further:
The copyright of this content belongs to
“realnovel“.
Chapter 2
“You dragged me here over this? How many
times do I have to assure you Sarah and I are
just friends?”
“Chloe, dating you is exhausting! Should I
report my breathing to you too? Would that
satisfy you?”
“You don’t believe me?”
His words deeply hurt me. I bit my lip, tears
welling up.
Garrett looked at me, sighed after a long
moment.
“Okay, I understand insecurity is common in
women. Since you don’t like Sarah, I’ll talk to
her. But Chloe, please, stop causing me so
much trouble over this. My dad’s already
putting enough pressure on me. I barely have
any time to relax. Just give me a break,
okay?”
It was nearing graduation, and Garrett’s
father was forcing him to abandon his law
studies and take over the family’s jewelry
company.
It had led to a cold war between father and
son.
Since Sarah’s father didn’t like me, I couldn’t
say anything, I could only give him space to
relax.
“I’m really busy with graduation, let’s not
contact each other for a while.”
Then he turned and left.
く
Watching his back, a chill went through me.
For the first time, I thought he wasn’t worth it.
For a long time after that, he didn’t contact
- me.
But I kept seeing him and Sarah studying
together late at night in the library.
Even when he ultimately gave up law school
and went abroad to study jewelry design, I
only heard it from Mike.
Until my senior thesis was noticed by Brilliant
Jewels, who wanted to sign me for mass
production. Suddenly, reporters surrounded
me, cameras in my face.
“Chloe, we received a report that your senior
thesis plagiarized Sarah. Walker’s work. Is this
true?”
I was stunned, backing away. “I didn’t, you’re
slandering me!”
Sarah appeared then, accusing me tearfully.
“Chloe, I could overlook you plagiarizing my
<
work on previous assignments. But this
‘Thorny Rose‘ collection for my graduation
thesis, was created specifically for Garrett’s
birthday, he even helped revise it. How can
you claim you didn’t plagiarize?”
Suddenly, all cameras turned to Garrett,
waiting for his answer. I looked at him too.
Garrett avoided my gaze and spoke to the
cameras. “Thorny Rose‘ is Sarah’s creation. I
saw her drawings when we studied together
at night.”
I was completely frozen, walking towards him
in the flashing lights, staring into his eyes.
“Are you sure I plagiarized?”
My eyes welled up, my voice choked.
A flicker of struggle and reluctance crossed
Garrett’s eyes, but he insisted Sarah was the
original creator.
Sarah chimed in.
“Chloe, I know you’re Garrett’s girlfriend, but
く
you shouldn’t force him to lie for you!”
I was too choked up to speak, watching them
in perfect harmony, my heart aching.
Garrett seemed hesitant, reaching out to me,
but Sarah stopped him.
“You hired thugs to threaten me, forcing me
to admit I plagiarized. If Garrett hadn’t
testified for me, my life would have been
ruined…”
She wiped her tears, her chiffon sleeve sliding
up her arm, revealing several deep cuts.
Garrett’s pupils constricted, he grabbed her
hand. “What are these cuts? Were you
bullied?”
He looked at me, his eyes icy.
I swallowed the lump in my throat, lifting my
chin slightly. “I didn’t do it. If you want to be a
hero, go ahead, but don’t use me as part of
your drama!”
“Chloe! You’re still denying it!”
Garrett’s eyes filled with disgust.
“Sarah’s gentle, but you’re sharp–tongued,
and you always talk about her behind her
back!
“She kept tolerating you, but you just got
worse!”
I froze, my blood running cold.
“Garrett, is that how you see me? You’d
rather believe her lies than me?”
“I trusted you, and instead of repentance, I
got more bullying!”
As soon as he finished, reporters swarmed
me, their sharp questions piercing my heart.
I stared at him, almost pushed over several
times; he remained cold.
The mocking and scornful voices surrounded
- me.
Garrett stepped onto the stage and raised his
microphone.
“As a brand representative, I announce the
く
termination of my collaboration with Chloe. I
expect every designer to uphold professional
ethics; plagiarism is shameful!”
The spotlight shone on him, making him seem
like a god descending from heaven; Sarah
looked up at him with admiration.
All I heard was his announcement of an
industry–wide ban on me.
Someone threw water on me, followed by
more things.
I backed away, eventually falling at their feet.
Looking up, Garrett was escorting Sarah
backstage.
I sneered and stopped struggling.
After everything ended, I received a call from
the dean, informing me my diploma was
revoked, and my graduation was delayed.
That day, my reputation ruined, I bought a
one–way ticket out of the country.
I disappeared.
く
I snapped back to reality. Mike was staring at
- me. “Chloe, how about you talk to Garrett?
You two are so perfect together; it’s a waste
that you’re not together.”
I looked at him, amused. “No need, I should
go.”
“Wait, Garrett’s at the parking lot!” He
stopped me, urgently.
I was impatient. “I have nothing to say to him.
Besides, I’m married.”
“Married? Are you kidding? Everyone knows
you loved Garrett madly, how could you marry
someone else?”
Mike was only surprised for a moment before
he calmed down.
