Chapter 228

This summer is unbearably hot.

Weekdays are manageable.

The classrooms, labs, and libraries all have air conditioning.

Weekends are even better.

The AC and chilled watermelon at home are perfect.

Sophia Sullivan curled up in her cool room.

She ate ice-cold watermelon while reading a research paper.

It was pure bliss.

Olivia Lopez called.

"It's Saturday. No classes. Really not coming out?"

Sophia sank deeper into the couch.

"Liv, please. I'd melt in this heat."

"New clothes while shopping? Not tempting?"

Sophia took a bite of watermelon.

"Isn't online shopping just as good?"

"You need to test skincare at the counter, right?"

Sophia replied, "I stick to my usual brand. No need."

Olivia's voice became frantic.

"You have to go out for groceries and fruit at least!"

Sophia whispered, "Grocery delivery arrives in thirty minutes..."

Olivia was speechless.

Sophia suddenly realized.

"Are you just really bored lately?"

Olivia sighed deeply.

Her best friend knew her too well.

Sophia found it strange.

"What about all those Kevins, Tonys, and Alexes in your contacts?"

The old Olivia would never suggest summer shopping, even if bored.

She hated the sun more than Sophia did.

This was definitely unusual.

Something was wrong.

"Don't even mention them..." Olivia's voice was full of despair.

Just thinking about it made her furious.

That bastard Julian Winston tricked her into giving him her phone passcode.

Then he used her phone to visit porn sites!

Her phone got a virus.

The whole system crashed.

He promised he could fix it.

Olivia believed him and went for a spa treatment.

When she returned, she was horrified.

Julian didn't fix the system.

He broke the SIM card too.

All her chat history was gone.

Her entire contact list was wiped clean.

Even a new SIM card couldn't recover it!

"Sorry, I thought I could fix it, but the virus was too strong... I'll buy you a new phone, okay?"

Okay? Hell no!

Olivia wanted to punch him and throw the phone in his face.

But she was still at the Winston family estate.

His mother had just gifted her an auction-grade jade bracelet and treated her to a spa day.

It's hard to bite the hand that feeds you.

Olivia had to grit her teeth and bear it.

Julian kept apologizing beside her.

"Liv, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to make it worse. I should've taken it to a professional repair shop..."

Olivia snapped, "Shut up."

Every word made her want to hit him more.

Julian continued, "It's all my fault. I was wrong. I won't do it again. I'll buy you a new phone tomorrow."

Olivia said through clenched teeth, "I said stop talking."

"No, I have to apologize. Ten new phones can't replace your chat history and contacts..."

Olivia's fists clenched.

Julian added, "You can't contact any of those puppy-dog boys now, can you?"

"..."

"What a shame."

Olivia scoffed.

"A broken phone gets replaced. A lost SIM gets reissued. The number's the same. I can still contact them."

They always contacted her first anyway.

Olivia rarely initiated contact.

If she wanted, she could find new ones anytime.

Julian's expression changed.

Olivia snatched her broken phone.

"Touch my things again, and I'll chop your hands off!"

She stormed out.

She had already called a ride-share. She didn't need anyone to drive her.

Julian chased after her.

"Your number is unlucky. So many eights. Let me get you a new one full of sixes? A premium number?"

Olivia rolled her eyes.

"Eights are unlucky? Are you insane?"

"Seven means 'rise', eight means 'fall'. Haven't you heard of the eighteenth level of hell?"

Olivia yelled, "Get lost! Stop annoying me!"

She started the car, shifted gears, and sped off.

Leaving Julian stomping his feet in frustration.

"You're so ungrateful! I never give my premium numbers to outsiders!"

But Olivia couldn't hear him.

Even if she did, she'd only have two words for him: Yeah, right.

On the second-floor balcony, Penelope Winston and the housekeeper watched the scene below.

Nanny Omelas hesitated.

"Miss Lopez seems to be ignoring the young master..."

"Good," Penelope said, arms crossed. Fresh from her treatment, she glowed.

"All men are like that. The easier it is, the less they appreciate it."

"They think women should throw themselves at them. You have to play hard to get. Then they try harder."

Penelope turned with a smile.

"Nanny Omelas, know what this is called?"

"...What?"

"Being a jerk."

Nanny Omelas almost choked.

"Madam, how can you say that about your own son..."

"I'm stating facts. Not just my son. His father is the same."

"I think Liv is great... Reminds me of my younger self!"

Nanny Omelas: "..." Should I be hearing this?

...

Olivia ranted for ten solid minutes.

She called Julian an idiot countless times.

Sophia spoke quietly.

"Do you think he did it on purpose?"

"On purpose?" Olivia paused.

"Purposely broke my phone?"

Sophia said, "Yes."

"Why? What does he gain?"

"...You really don't get it?"

Olivia was confused.

"Get what?"

"...Never mind. Actually, I'm not sure either..."

She didn't understand how a dating expert could suddenly be so clueless.

Had the queen of the sea finally capsized?

Or was the fox just clueless about love?

Olivia confirmed again.

"Really not coming out today?"

Sophia said, "Sorry~"

"Fine. I'll post on my socials and see who's free..."

"Remember to block Julian— Hello? Liv?"

The call had already ended.

She didn't know if Olivia heard that last reminder.