Chapter 314
Natalie said, “What could I possibly want? I just can’t stand some people putting on airs, acting all innocent and pitiful to win sympathy when they’re actually deeply calculating. You are a country girl with delusions of grandeur, coveting someone far out of your league, and then turning around to betray your team when your schemes are exposed. You let your former mentor and the seniors who once protected you pay the price for your selfishness. Now you actually want to take my place? Who do you think you are?”
Natalie seemed furious, as if Josie had burning hatred aimed directly at her. Fire practically spat from her eyes. For a moment, Josie almost thought Natalie had discovered her feelings for Sean, but that didn’t make sense; she herself had only just realized them. How could Natalie possibly know?
The person Natalie claimed was “out of Josie’s league” probably referred to Aiden. But what did she mean by “taking my place”? Josie frowned slightly, a thought occurring to her.
She took a step forward, her beautiful eyes curving slightly. “Aren’t you just describing yourself?” The cold mockery in Josie’s gaze deepened. “Natalie, are you picking a fight with me because you lost the ‘Campus Belle’ title, or are you afraid I’ll tell Aiden that he was set up by you, that he doesn’t need to feel responsible for you anymore? Oh, no, that’s not it; none of that is right. You’re probably more terrified he’ll find out you’ve not only slept with him, but also with Kyle, and that you’ve never been the pure, innocent girl you pretend to be. Right?”
“What nonsense are you talking about?” Natalie was so frightened that her face turned pale; she didn’t know why Josie would know about these things. She glanced around frantically; the empty hallway was deserted. Her expression hardened slightly, and she whirled back to glare at Josie. “Josie, stop talking nonsense. There is nothing between Kyle and me. If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll tear your mouth apart!”
Her raised wrist was caught firmly by Sean. He pushed her away and pulled Josie protectively behind him. “Are you okay? Did she hit you?”
Josie shook her head. “No, you got here just as she raised her hand.” She looked up at Sean, her smile bright. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t have let her hit me.”
Josie turned and slapped Natalie across the face with a sharp crack. “I didn’t want to hit you, but you’re just too despicable. You forced my hand. How ‘innocent’ you are, you know deep down. Dare to provoke me again, and I’ll make sure everyone knows you not only schemed to sleep with Aiden but also climbed into Kyle’s bed. And all those things you did to me before–did you really think I wouldn’t know it was you just because I couldn’t find proof?”
Josie shot Natalie a fierce look and pulled Sean downstairs. She seemed very angry; her cheeks were puffed out, and her large, beautiful eyes were filled with unmistakable disgust. She pulled him along so quickly that she didn’t even realize they were holding hands.
Sean looked down at their joined hands. They’d held hands before, but today felt different. After all, Josie seemed to have sensed his feelings, yet she was still willing to be close to him. Did that mean…?
His thoughts were interrupted by the swarm of students flooding the hallway. Worried Josie might get jostled, he pulled her closer to his side. “Careful, slow down,” he said as they moved to the side of the corridor.
More students were heading towards the bulletin board.
“Hey, I heard Professor Lawson is starting a new research project, openly recruiting medical assistants. Wonder if it’s true?”
“Absolutely true. Their last project got scrapped. Aiden quit the team to intern at Brown Group. Gavin stayed at the research institute. Only Vincent returned to the team.”