Chapter 18
Josie shot Kyle a cold look. There was hatred in her eyes, but it was easy to miss.
Before time rewound, Kyle’s cruel words had pushed her into depression.
After Josie cut ties with the five of them, Kyle started acting like Natalie’s nasty lapdog–constantly picking on Josie and trying to bring
her down.
He said Josie had no shame. He claimed she was after Aiden–Natalie’s husband at that time–and even showed everyone her old diary entries about liking him.
Then he went further, spreading lies that Josie had slept with the village chief to pay for college, and that she sold her body just to get into a better academic program.
Those rumors destroyed Josie’s reputation. She couldn’t face anyone anymore and ended up spiraling into depression.
“My life’s none of your business,” Josie said coldly. “Just leave. Don’t come to me again.”
Kyle threw a bag of snacks at her feet. “Stop pretending you’re better than everyone else. I know your family’s broke and you can’t afford
nacks. Just take this. It’s a gift from Aiden and Natalie.”
He then turned and muttered, “What a joke. I can’t believe I wasted so much time on someone so clueless.”
“Don’t listen to him, Josie, Vincent said as he picked up the snacks. “Kyle’s always harsh with his words, but he means well. He’s just worried you won’t be able to land a job later.”“”
Josie turned to look at Vincent. Her eyes were so cold and sharp that Vincent felt a chill crawl down his spine.
“Just say what you came to say,” Josie said.
She was sick of dealing with them over and over. This time, she didn’t want to hear any more excuses.
The funny thing was–before time rewound, she used to follow them around like a shadow, hoping they’d talk to her or even just look her way.
But all they ever did was get annoyed or push her away.
Now that she’d quit their research team and cut them off, they suddenly wanted her back.
She figured they were just being difficult. They only cared once they lost what they took for granted.
But too bad for them–this was just the beginning.
Vincent lowered his voice. “Josie, don’t be like this with me. I can’t take it. You know we’ve always been the closest.”
Josie gave a bitter laugh. “So what? What do you want from me?”
Vincent licked his lips. “It’s nothing major. You know, Professor Lawson’s new project just started. There’s a ton of prep work, plus the competition. I’m swamped.”
Josie just smiled without saying a word. Vincent’s face turned red.
“Look, kicking you off the team wasn’t really my decision,” he said. “Aiden forced you to apologize in public, and Professor Lawson made the call to remove you.
“I tried to talk to Aiden, and I even begged Professor Lawson: But you know, I don’t have much pull on the team. They don’t listen to
me:
Vincent was always good at playing the victim. Before time rewound, whenever he acted like his hands were tied, Josie would do anything for him–even the toughest, most thankless tasks.
Hut in the end, she saw the truth. She’d just been a stepping stone, a free worker.
She didn’t feel sorry for him anymore.
“If you’re not gonna say what you came here for, I’m leaving,” Josie said, turning away.
11:18 AM
Chapter 18
“Wait” Vincent was stunned. He hadn’t thought Josie would actually walk away. She never used to be like this. Back then, she’d stop, ask what he needed, and try to help.
But now, he panicked at the thought of her really leaving and hurried after her.
“Okay, okay, I’ll tell you. Just don’t go,” he said, shoving the snack bag into Josie’s hands. T’m getting ready for graduate school. Can help put together some study materials for me? I need them in about three weeks.”
you
Josie scoffed with a humorless laugh. She couldn’t believe he had the nerve to ask, especially since he was the first one who pushed her to say sorry to Natalie back then.
She barely glanced at Vincent. Tm busy”
“No way!” Vincent raised his voice, annoyed that she said no. “You’re not working with Professor Lawson anymore. You don’t have tough classes or that school competition. Putting together some study materials won’t even take that long
Josie gave a bitter laugh. He really just assumed she’d do it. If it’s so easy, ask someone else. I’m not interested.”
She hadn’t even turned him down harshly and just made it clear she was busy. But since he couldn’t take a hint and insisted on embarrassing himself, she wasn’t going to stop him.
Josie thought she was still being too soft. That needed to change.
“You’re helping Jaden but not me, huh?” Vincent yelled. “We were both your teammates back then–why are you treating us differently?”
Josie had been about to say he should already know why. But when she saw how mad he looked, she suddenly didn’t feel like arguing
anymore.
But since he brought up Jaden, Josie let out a small smile. “If I remember right, you and Jaden are studying the same thing. I already. organized that stuff once. Why not just ask him for it?”
She let go of the snack bag. “I don’t take handouts. You should keep this.”
This time, she didn’t give Vincent a chance to reply. She turned and disappeared into the crowd.
She was pretty sure Jaden wouldn’t give Vincent those materials. The five of them looked like a team on the surface, but underneath. they were always in competition. They all wanted to catch David’s attention.
They were still in school, but once they graduated, no one knew what kind of jobs they’d end up with.
Whoever stood out now would land better offers and higher positions later.
Jaden acted loud and carefree, but he cared more than anyone. He was terrified of falling behind.
འཕ
Back then, Josie had been the only one dumb enough to never think about that. She’d just focused on helping them all.
People came and went around the dorm entrance. After being turned down, Vincent stood there awkwardly. He felt bad but didn’t want to chase after Josie again.
He couldn’t figure out why Josie had said no. He thought he’d already been nice enough–he even tried to patch things up with her.
Even if they didn’t help her this time, he didn’t think she should still be mad.
In his opinion, stuff like this had happened before, but Josie always ended up apologizing first. She’d bend over backwards to get back on their good side. He couldn’t understand why everything had changed.
Is it because of Natalie? Vincent thought angrily. ‘Is she just jealous of Natalie, so now she’s taking it out on us? If so, „Josie’s being way too petty. And honestly, she really was in the wrong this time.
But more than anything, Vincent was frustrated. If Josie didn’t help him with the materials, he might really have to turn to Jaden.
The problem was–Jaden’s stuff was from last year. This year’s test questions were probably different. And even if he asked, there was no guarantee Jaden would say yes.
Vincent walked back with a frown on his face. He figured he should keep trying to win Josie over.
He thought that maybe if he comforted her a few more times, she’d come around. Josie had always been soft–she cared about friendships. She probably didn’t want to stay mad for long.
2/3
Chapter 18
While Vincent was busy thinking up ways to smooth things over, Kyle headed back to the lab.
The second he walked in. Natalie rushed over. “Did Josie take the snacks?”
“Relax. Aiden bought them, so of course she did,” Kyle said, his voice full of disdain for Josie
Natalie’s eyes darkened for a second. “Then did she agree to help Vincent with the materials?”
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