Katie lay in his arms, appearing carefree and a bit silly.
Finished
Ryan looked down, his view only capturing her smooth forehead, her damp hair draping between them, with drops of water spreading across, even soaking into their clothes a little.
He cleared his throat and gently pulled away, saying, “The clothes are new, so they haven’t been worn. You can use the shoes for today.”
Katie noticed the clothes he had set by the door and blushed, saying softly, “Thank you.”
Seeing her unguarded expression, Ryan couldn’t help but scold, “Don’t open the door like that at night again.”
“Because I know, it’s always you knocking,” Katie said.
Her eyes were steady and resolute.
Ryan met her gaze for a moment before looking away awkwardly, mumbling, “Make sure to lock the door.”
Katie stood by the door, a slight smile on her face, glancing back at the unfamiliar room. It felt like the beginning of a new chapter.
As she lay on the bed charging her phone, she saw a flood of missed calls, mostly from Eddie.
There was also a missed call from Melvin, but it had only rung three times before cutting off.
She checked her WhatsApp and saw a message from Eddie, “Katie, where are you? Please don’t be mad, okay? Come back, I’ll have Melvin apologize to you!”
“Katie, you should understand that in Hillcrest, you won’t be able to stay hidden for long. If Rowan finds out, the consequences will be unimaginable.”
“Katie, we’re family. Can’t you forgive these small disagreements and misunderstandings?”
When Katie read these messages, her expression hardened.
She couldn’t forgive them at all.
The next day, she headed to school.
Katie and Ryan shared a taxi to school. She glanced back at him and said, I’ll head to the classroom first”
11away.
Ryan watched her walk safely into the school before turning his attention
A luxury car stopped beside him, and Elliot leaned out, saying. “The Maddisons went mad
Chapter 22 Katie Became Popular
The Maddisons were not to be taken lightly.
Ryan pressed his lips together, seemingly deep in thought.
Meanwhile. Katie walked straight to the classroom.
Finished
But as soon as she reached the door, someone yelled. “Katie is here! She’s the one who hit Twelve- strike Combo in the competition yesterday!”
“Oh my gosh, what’s her connection with the legendary King? I’m so curious!”
“My idol, can we take a picture with you?”
Katie didn’t expect such a crowd. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, she nodded. ‘Sure.”
Suddenly, a crowd surrounded her, with some even asking for her autograph.
The entrance to the classroom became lively, with people both inside and outside.
Just then. Sally arrived outside the classroom. Seeing Katie surrounded by admirers, a wave of jealousy washed over her.
She had more than a hundred thousand followers online, she was way more well–known than Katie These clueless people were nothing but trash!
Unable to stand it, she turned away and walked off.
Sally pretended to be concerned and said. “Katie. you didn’t come home last night. Where were you? Eddie was about to lose his mind. Even if you’re mad, you shouldn’t risk your safety like
that”
Katie had expected that this pretending girl would stir up trouble.
Belinda quickly joined in. “Sally. Katie is a traitor. She won the game yesterday and now thinks she can act all high and mighty. She ran away from home just to make a scene.
Josephine rolled her eyes. “I bet Katie is secretly dating the school doctor, and now they’ve moved in together. At her age, she’s already playing games with boys.”
Katie lifted her eyes. “No wonder people often say you two have terrible mouths. Now I can finally see it for myself”
Out of the corner of her eye, Sally noticed something and immediately spoke up. “Katie, I wish my family cared for me the way yours does. Yet, you’re so stubborn and hot–headed. That’s not right”
“We’re not that close. Stop pretending, no one’s fooled by your act. Aren’t you exhausted?” Katie
retorted
“Katie, how can you talk like that? Sally was worried about you the whole night too. You clearly
Chapter 22 Katie Became Popular
Melvin also walked over. His gaze at Katie was filled with mixed emotions.
He didn’t need to accompany Sally to school today, yet for some reason, he showed up.
After all, he was sure Katie would come to school today.
He hadn’t slept all night.
She had actually isolated him. What was going on?
Finished
When Katie saw him, he wasn’t surprised. “Isn’t it normal for Sally to stay out late with you all?”
Sally looked upset, her eyes red with tears. “Katie, how can you say something like that?”
Melvin shouted angrily, “Katie, what kind of nonsense are you speaking? Sally is my sister! You owe her an apology right now!”
Katie’s face remained cold. “She started with the nonsense first, I just followed her lead.”
Sally’s voice wavered with tears. “I… I didn’t mean it that way, you misunderstood.”
Melvin, who had been holding back, finally lost control. “Katie, look at yourself. You spent the night with the school doctor. That’s a fact!”
Katie looked at him with calm, unwavering eyes.
Once he finished speaking, he instantly regretted it, but with so many people watching, he chose not to clarify.
Katie found it laughable. “That’s none of your concern.”
She turned and walked toward the classroom.
“Stop right there! What do you mean it’s none of our concern? Your confidence is growing. Just because you won a comeback match, you think you’re above everyone else.”
Katie scoffed and didn’t even turn around.
She sat down at her desk, completely ignoring the people outside.
Melvin watched her distant behavior, frustration building inside him.
But he didn’t dare to go too far, remembering he was still in isolation period, and shouldn’t even be at school
Seeing the situation, Sally intentionally said, “Melvin, it’s my fault for asking Katie too many questions and making her upset. But I was just worried she might do something reckless because she was angry.
“I know you were trying to help her, but she doesn’t appreciate it.”
Chapter 22 Katie Became Popular
Finished
any respect for anyone, she’s completely changed. What are we supposed to do to make her happy?”
A touch of sarcasm flashed in Sally’s eyes. Katie had already started to keep her distance, and only now did he realize?
For her, this was clearly a good thing.
She quickly shifted the topic. “Melvin, what are you going to do about the school doctor?”
That man definitely needs to face the consequences!”
Melvin headed straight for the principal’s office. This issue needed to be addressed.
After accomplishing her goal, Sally returned to the classroom.
As she passed by Katie, she whispered, “Melvin went to talk to the principal.”
Katie’s expression changed, realizing she might have put Ryan in a difficult position.
She stood up, but just then, the teacher entered and said. “Let’s begin the class.”
She had to sit back down in her chair.
During the class, her attention kept wandering.
Once the lesson ended, she stepped outside to call Ryan, feeling uneasy.
He picked up the phone quickly, his voice steady. “What’s the matter?”
Katie explained. “Melvin went to speak with the principal, you might be in trouble, but don’t worry, I’ll clear things up.”
*Kid, you don’t need to worry about grown–up
His tone was unwavering, almost dismissive.
issues.”
Katie almost thought she had misheard, since he usually kept to himself and wasn’t the type to act so boldly.
Still, for some reason, she trusted his words.
After the call ended, she went back to her desk and focused on her schoolwork.
With only a month remaining until the college entrance exams, she felt almost free.
After school, Katie gathered her things and started heading to the infirmary:
But when she reached the classroom door, she spotted Eddie carrying an enormous teddy bear
Chapter 22 Katie Became Popular
✰ Finished
Eddie approached her with a smile. “Katie, you did an amazing job in the revival competition. I’ve got a
got a present for you. Congrats, and I’m excited to see how you perform in the finals.”
The finals?
Send Gifts
