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Chapter 75 - Boyfriend

Yeri nodded innocently, eyes misty, like she was caught in emotional conflict.

"Is that really true?" she asked softly, voice just loud enough for everyone around to hear. "But… Senior, didn't you know? Tiffany got into a fight with some girls earlier this afternoon. They said… it was over a man."

She trailed off there, deliberately leaving the sentence unfinished just hanging in the air with a vague, suggestive tone.

It was a masterstroke of implication.

Anyone with a functioning brain could piece it together: Tiffany was the type to explode if someone dared to lay a hand or even an eye on her man.

A ripple of soft gasps passed through the crowd. A few students snorted or exchanged pointed looks.

The group of girls who had been gossiping about Tiffany earlier eagerly jumped in, practically becoming Yeri's backer.

"That's right! I saw it too. It was really messy they even had to call an ambulance."

"I heard Tiffany was still screaming and cursing even when the teachers showed up."

While the crowd murmured in disbelief, Yeri quietly studied Marco Fabian. His expression shifted wildly from shock, panic, confusion, then anger, like a traffic light flickering between red, yellow, and green with no sense of timing.

She smiled inwardly.

'So how does it feel, huh? Being used as an excuse and dragged into someone else's mess without warning. Not so charming now, is it?'

Just then, someone from the crowd let out a loud, startled shout. "Wait—look at this!" they said, holding up their phone and casting a meaningful glance at Marco.

Everyone leaned in curiously.

"It's true," someone muttered after a quick peek. "He was dating Tiffany"

"But didn't he say they broke up ages ago?" another said skeptically. "Look...Tiffany's status still says 'in a relationship.' And there are tons of old posts of them together."

In less than five minutes, the image of Marco Fabian as the polished, confident romantic lead had crumbled like stale bread.

Depending on who you asked, he was now a simp, a shameless cheater, or a manipulative liar caught red-handed.

Yeri's hunch hadn't been wrong. Even if the post wasn't from yesterday, there was still plenty of evidence tying him to Tiffany. Enough to make any claims of innocence look like a weak excuse.

Realizing this had snowballed way beyond just a simple rejection, Marco glanced around nervously. His once spotless reputation was hanging on by a thread, swaying in the wind like a loose necktie in a storm.

"Senior," Yeri said calmly, her voice gentle but firm. "I don't know what's going on between you and Tiffany, but I really don't want to be involved in any misunderstandings… or be the reason the two of you have a falling out."

Marco's jaw clenched. He cursed Tiffany inwardly, then suddenly reached out and grabbed Yeri's wrist.

His touch wasn't violent, but there was an underlying pressure that made her skin crawl. His eyes locked on hers, pleading but there was something darker behind them. A flicker of threat, veiled behind his charming facade.

"Yeri, you have to believe me," he said with a forced smile. "There's nothing going on between me and Tiffany anymore. Honestly, I didn't want to say anything since she's my ex, and I wanted to show her some respect. But the reason we broke up… it's because I finally saw her for who she really is. She's violent, manipulative,"

He sighed dramatically, as if burdened by the weight of his own nobility.

"—I thought she'd accept the breakup and move on, but clearly, she hasn't. I've been covering for her, but I can't do that anymore. I'm done."

As he poured out this self-pitying monologue, complete with a hint of martyrdom, a few students in the crowd started nodding.

"I guess you can't really blame him… if his ex just won't let go."

"He sounds so patient and mature. I feel bad for Senior Marco… having to deal with such a toxic ex."

"Yeah, I remember Tiffany causing trouble before. She even bullied some girls in junior year."

Just as expected from a seasoned narcissist. Marco didn't hesitate to throw his ex under the bus while conveniently painting himself as the long-suffering, misunderstood man.

Yeri frowned. His grip was starting to hurt. The pressure on her wrist wasn't gentle anymore, and the longer he spoke, the more she felt like vomiting from disgust.

"Please let go," Yeri said politely, trying her best to keep her composure. "I appreciate your honesty… but I still can't accept your feelings."

That made Marco stunned.

His gaze sharpened. He squinted at her as if trying to read between the lines of her face, then leaned in slightly, his voice lower and more forceful.

"Yeri… you don't have to reject me like this," he said almost condescending, a slight tremble in his voice poorly masked by arrogance. "Is this because you're scared of Tiffany retaliating? You don't have to be afraid. I'll protect you. Just be honest with your feelings, okay?"

He still didn't let go.

And Yeri's patience snapped.

Apparently, she couldn't keep up the gentle and delicate act for long.

She had assumed that a guy like Marco, so full of pride and ego would take the hint and leave the moment he was rejected. Clearly, she had underestimated the level of his shamelessness... and his delusions.

"I told you to let go," she said, tone sharp. "I have a boyfriend."

But Marco, in his infinite arrogance, interpreted her words as a coquettish attempt to push and pull. Worse, he had already done his homework. He'd asked around and hadn't heard anything about her dating anyone.

So naturally, he chalked it up to her playing hard to get.

"I get it," he said, lips twitching into a smug smile. "You're worried I still have lingering feelings for Tiffany, right?"

Yeri could feel her scalp tingle in frustration. Was this man delusional or just dense?

She was about to push him off but before she could act, a tall figure emerged from the crowd and in one effortless motion, the man pushed Marco back, creating a healthy distance between him and Yeri.

The latter, was caught completely off guard, staggering back a few steps before his ankle twisted awkwardly and landed faced-first, kissing the pavement.

Yeri "..."

Silence.

Everyone paused, stunned.

Yeri blinked in disbelief. She hadn't expected anyone to intervene especially not against Marco Fabian.

He was the pampered young master of a prominent family, and even if people knew he was a scumbag, no one ever dared challenge him. No one wanted that kind of trouble.

"Who the hell just did that to Marco?!"

One of his friends shouted, while another rushed to help Marco off the ground.

Yeri stared at the imposing figure now standing between her and Marco, shielding her completely.

There was something familiar about his presence. A tall, broad-shouldered man dressed entirely in black. A black cap, black mask, black shirt, denim jeans, and black sneakers. He looked like someone ready to bury a body in style.

Yet despite the outfit, his presence was unmistakable.

Yeri stared, momentarily confused, until recognition dawned.

Shin Keir.

She hadn't recognized him at first. Dressed casually and without his usual intimidating formal wear, he blended in almost too well.

"My girlfriend told you to let go," he said coldly, his voice deep and razor-sharp. "Are you deaf?"

The crowd immediately backed off, not wanting to get caught up in whatever confrontation was brewing.

Marco, after spitting out grass and pride, pointed an accusing finger at the man in front of him. "You bastard! Which department are you from? If you know what's good for you, you better apologize! Or else, don't blame me if your peaceful school life ends today!"

Department? Yeri tilted her head, giving Shin a once-over. With the mask covering most of his face and his casual outfit, it really wasn't hard to mistake him for a university student.

Shin chuckled, voice laced with mockery. "That's more like it, stop pretending to be upright when you're quite the opposite."

Marco's eyes darted nervously. He knew he'd said the wrong words.

"Wh-What are you talking about?" he stammered. "You pushed me for no reason! That's assault. And now you're slandering me too? If anything, you're the one provoking a fight! Let me remind you this is school property. Physical violence is strictly prohibited. Don't get too arrogant."

Marco paused.

Truthfully, the only reason he brought up school rules was because a gut feeling told him this man wasn't someone he should mess with. That cold aura, those sharp eyes, the calm, the confidence, set off warning bells.

And women were naturally drawn to men like that. Strong, dangerous and protective. Exactly the type that made guys like Marco look like overgrown toddlers throwing tantrums, he couldn't lose face. Especially not in front of Yeri and other students.

"So, you're aware this is school property, yet you're harassing a female student late at night, grabbing her without her consent, and using the crowd to pressure her into responding to your nonsense? That qualifies as assault," Shin said coldly, his voice firm and unwavering.

Marco swallowed hard. Why did it suddenly feel like he was standing trial in court?

"T-That wasn't my intention," he stammered. "I traveled for hours from a flower farm just to give her the freshest bouquet, that's why I came late. Don't look down on my sincerity."

Shin sneered. "Traveling hours for flowers is no different from what local flower shops do when they source from nearby flower farms. If you were adamant of your 'sincerity,' why didn't you include a flower pot? Either you're an idiot or just petty. What were you thinking, guilt her into accepting your feelings?"

Marco was left speechless. If he defended his sincerity, he'd look petty. If he denied it, he'd be the fool who went on a pointless trip when he could've just bought a bouquet down the street.

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