Chapter 202 Jealous?

Out of nowhere, it struck him.

Crap!

He never even got Tilda’s number or Instagram!

Alfie cursed himself. What kind of idiot forgets something that important?

After saying goodbye to Tilda, Simon was practically bouncing with energy, already making plans for her upcoming International College Art Competition.

He was dead set on helping her become a world champion, grab that gold medal, and bring pride to the whole country.

Meanwhile, Una had the entire family glued to the livestream.

When it came time to vote, she did not hold back–texting, calling, and begging every friend and relative to cast a vote for Tilda.

And when Tilda actually won, standing in the spotlight for everyone to see, Una was so hyped that her face turned bright red, screaming nonstop until she nearly passed out.

Once she calmed down a little, she immediately called Tilda to congratulate her.

Naturally, she also invited her out to Nightingale Bar to celebrate, saying, “Everything’s on me tonight!”

Tilda accepted without hesitation.

Back at her apartment, Tilda carefully placed the trophy in her display case.

The funny thing was, trophies and titles never really mattered to her before.

She had always had full confidence in her skills.

With her mentor’s guidance and her Omega–type talent, there was not much she could not achieve if she wanted it.

Yet, this time felt different.

A faint smile touched her lips.

It was like she had rediscovered the joy of creating, the lessons her mentor once told her.

The thought of representing her country on the world stage lit something inside her.

For the first time in a long time, life felt meaningful again.

If you’ve got the talent, why not chase greatness? Why not aim to be remembered forever, to leave something that dazzles the world?

Why waste time clinging to a family that doesn’t want you, or sink into bitterness and hate?

So, Tilda snapped a quick picture of her trophy and sent it to Dane.

“Dane, I just won the National College Art Competition! Praise me!”

Dane’s reply came back almost instantly.

“You’re amazing, Tilda.”

And that was while he was in the middle of a research project.

Nothing and no one could normally distract him from his experiments, except Tilda.

She was the only person he allowed to pull him away from work, even briefly.

In fact, Dane barely had any contacts saved, but he gave Tilda a custom notification just for her messages.

He even refused to mute his phone or shut it off while working, just in case she needed him.

His lab assistants, watching all this, were stunned.

Professor Kerrigan’s favoritism for Queen could not have been more obvious.

Tilda and Dane ended up chatting for a while longer.

Then, Jude finally texted her.

He said, “You won the championship.”

Tilda replied, “Jude, why do you sound so calm? Aren’t you even a little happy for me?”

“With your talent, it was bound to happen. Of course I’m happy, but I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.”

Tilda texted back, “Hehe. I’ll just take that as your way of praising me then.”

Jude responded, “I caught the livestream. Seems like a lot of people are shipping you with Alfie.”

Honestly, Jude had not even planned on sending that last part.

However, the jealousy sitting heavy in his chest spilled out before he could stop himself.

Even his penthouse was filled with this dark, brooding vibe.

When Vassal came earlier to give a report, he was so nervous he could barely get the words out.

The second Jude nodded, he bolted like his life was on the line–like staying one more second would get him swallowed whole.

Tilda joked, “Don’t tell me~Jude, are you jealous?”

Even someone as clueless as Tilda could pick up on it.

The jealousy was practically radiating off her phone screen.

Jude answered, “If I admitted I was jealous, would you think I’m being petty?”

Tilda almost spit out her drink.

Was Jude seriously acting humble?

Gosh.

That was so not his style.

If anyone else saw this side of him, they would swear she must have cast some kind of spell over him.

Tilda texted back, “Nope! If I said I’d be happy, would that make you feel better? Less jealous?”

She hit send.

Then froze.

Wait, wasn’t that kinda flirty?

Too late now.

Jude definitely saw it.

Trying to delete it would only make things worse.

On Jude’s end, he stared at her reply.

For a moment, he was stunned.

He never thought she would respond like that.

Finally, he steadied himself enough to type back.

“Yeah, I’d be happy. Really happy.”

“That’s good. Don’t be jealous, okay? Good boy.”

Meanwhile, Alfie was still in full panic mode, desperately trying to figure out how to beg Jude for forgiveness.

He kept blowing up Maurice’s phone with nonstop voice calls.

Maurice was stuck in a meeting, staring at the screen in disbelief.

Over 30 missed calls already, and Alfie was still spamming like his life depended on it.

Out of the Shadows: Tilda’s Brilliant Second Life