Jason didn't even glance at them, the heavyset woman, or the others anymore. No matter how desperately they begged, his heart remained unmoved.
Turning to Holly Larson, he said calmly, "If you hadn't called me out tonight, how could they have had the chance to bully you?"
Holly shot him a sidelong glance and pouted. "I posted about it on my feed, didn't you see it and even 'liked' it? I asked you out last time, but now you're telling me you can't ask me out this time?"
"Besides," she continued, her tone softening into something almost coquettish, "how could I dare message you directly? Who knows if you'd already be out with Megan, or Quinn, or some other girl from your circle?"
Usually so aloof, Holly's voice carried a faint tremor from her earlier tears. That vulnerability, mixed with the slight curl of her lips, gave her an unexpected softness—almost like a different side of her had emerged.
Jason wasn't flustered at all. Instead, he deflected with a grin. "It's just social media. God only knows who you really posted it for."
Holly arched a brow. "Fine. Next time I do message you directly, you're not allowed to turn me down."
Jason chuckled. "If I've got the time, I'll definitely show up. How could I refuse an invitation from the great Miss Larson?" He gestured toward the lot. "Come on, ride with me. Let your friends take your car, the others can drive it back."
Even after she'd gotten up from crying in Jason's arms, Holly lingered close beside him, as though drawn by instinct. Maybe deep down, she still leaned on the sense of security only he gave her.
Jason casually took her hand. Holly blinked, but didn't resist—her fingers simply settled into his, obedient, almost natural.
Turning back, Jason addressed Lewis, Mike, Mao, and the others. "Thanks for showing up and giving me face tonight."
"I don't have much prepared to treat you after such a trip, so let me at least invite you all."
Jason then looked at Aly. "You drive Holly's ride back. That should do."
She nodded quickly. "Sure, Jason. One SUV is no problem at all."
With that settled, Jason led Holly to his Mercedes. The driver opened the door, and Jason ushered her into the back seat with him.
They watched as Holly, normally cool and untouchable, allowed herself to be guided by Jason's hand. The sight carried a different energy—less icy independence, more of a graceful surrender. It was hard not to feel a pang of emotion. Holly Larson, the girl who once seemed above everyone, finally had someone who could truly win her over.
Of course, it wasn't surprising. Jason was wealthy, handsome, calm under pressure, and unflinchingly bold—the perfect match for someone like Holly. Tonight, he hadn't just saved her; he'd descended like a hero out of nowhere. How could she not be moved?
Mike stood frozen, dumbfounded by what he was seeing. His chest tightened painfully, as though something was being ripped away from him.
He had always admired Holly from a distance, believing her cool, self-possessed demeanor meant any man who came near would have to follow her rules. But here she was, hand in hand with Jason, leaning close, eyes softer than he'd ever thought possible.
The last time Jason had ridden a jet ski with her, it had already stung him. But now—seeing Jason take her hand so openly—it was like a knife to the chest.
Mike tilted his head back at a forty-five-degree angle, staring at the night sky, his face etched with melancholy. His youth, his innocence, his yearning for something pure and beautiful… it all felt like it was slipping away forever.
Unable to bear it alone, he pulled out his phone, snapped a picture of Jason holding Holly's hand, and sent it straight to his firend. This kind of hurt shouldn't be endured by one person alone.
He was still on the road when the notification chimed. He pulled out his phone, tapped the message, and the photo that popped up hit him like a punch to the gut.
Jason holding Holly Larson's hand.
He froze in place on the sidewalk, staring blankly at the screen as if the world had gone silent.
His chest ached—so much so that he pressed a palm against it, trying to ease the sharp discomfort. After a long breath, he forced a bitter smile and muttered to himself:
"Well… at least if Jason's with Holly, he won't bother Mia anymore. That's something, I guess. Maybe he really was close to her just for piano lessons."
He tried to convince himself of that, but deep down, the truth still stung. Jason could sit beside Mia, laugh with her, and learn from her. Meanwhile, he wasn't even qualified to step close.
An hour later, they arrived, the most prestigious fine-dining spot in the city. Jason had already made the reservation, so they were ushered straight up to the private dining hall on the second floor.
Lewis and the other club members carried themselves with calm confidence. They could afford to dine here whenever they wanted, so this was nothing unusual.
But for Aly and the rest of the classmates, it was nerve-wracking. They were only here because Jason had brought them along, and every glittering chandelier or hushed server made them tense up more. For people without money, a place like this felt dangerous—what if something went wrong, and they had to pay?
The group was split across two tables. Jason sat with the club members, while Holly chose to sit with her classmates.
Even so, her attention was clearly elsewhere. She barely touched her plate, her eyes drifting toward Jason every few minutes. Watching him converse so casually with the high-status guests at his table made her lips curve into a small, involuntary smile.
"Careful," whispered Aly with a teasing grin as she leaned closer to Holly. "Keep looking at him like that, and your soul's gonna get hooked."
Holly quickly glanced away, cheeks faintly warm. "I just looked twice, is it really that obvious?"
She rolled her eyes. "Twice? Girl, your stare was practically carving him out of the air."
Holly wasn't the shy type. Being caught didn't make her flustered—it only made her thoughtful. She shot back with a grin, "What do you think about Jason?
She shrugged. "No real reason. You just go with who you like. Jason's… well, he's Jason. Handsome, rich, confident, calm under pressure, the type of guy who drops out of the sky like a hero when you need him. Honestly? He's flawless from head to toe."
Holly's smile softened, and she bit back the urge to agree out loud.
She noticed her expression change and smirked knowingly. "But the thing is—guys like him always have women around. Beautiful ones too. That's normal. A guy like that doesn't have to chase anyone, girls just fall into his lap."
"If you date someone like him, you'll definitely shine. Wherever you go, you'll be the center of attention."
"But…" she leaned closer, voice playful, "…it also means you'll never stop worrying. Everywhere he goes, temptation follows. That's the price of having someone like him."
Holly didn't answer. She only let her gaze drift again—just for a moment—toward Jason. The more she looked, the more impossibly perfect he seemed.
[Holly Larson: Affection +2]
At the far end of the table, Mike noticed it too. Holly, the untouchable ice queen, sneaking glances at Jason. His stomach twisted, and suddenly even the luxury dishes in front of him tasted like sand.
You're supposed to be the flower—the cool, untouchable flower every guy admires from afar.
So why are you looking at him like that?
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