Chapter 19

Marco’s stern expression softened. He pondered his parents' words. Would Christine truly accept him, or was she merely extending an invitation to maintain the relationship between the Fosters and the Chapmans? Regardless, her presence at the basketball court was a delightful surprise.

He tossed the basketball to a classmate and approached Christine, who stood near the court. Bathed in the early morning sunlight, his eyes shone. She was the perfect girl in his heart—perfect in temperament, beauty, and character—the only woman worthy of his love.

He drew closer: forty feet, thirty feet, twenty feet… As he crossed half the court, a boy approached Christine, exclaiming, "Christine, sorry I'm late!"

Marco stopped abruptly. His expression froze, a cold gleam flickering in his eyes. It was Gilmore! Again! He clenched his fists.

The basketball players and the dozens of girls watching were astonished. Wasn't Christine there for Marco? She was with someone else!

Chapter 19 (Continued)

Even from a distance, the basketball players sensed Marco's awkwardness. The girls who admired him felt sorry for him, wanting to rush over and tell him, "Christine doesn't appreciate you, but we do." Some were close to tears.

Christine, oblivious to Marco's embarrassment, pouted at Gilmore, "Why are you so late? I've been waiting ages!" She only wanted comfort from Gilmore. She'd chosen the basketball court knowing Marco would be there, hoping to provoke his anger by showcasing her intimacy with Gilmore, thus forcing him to give up.

But Gilmore didn't offer comfort. Instead, he presented her with a paper bag containing two doughnuts and a cup of coffee. "I'm late because I bought you breakfast. I'm sorry!"

Christine was speechless. So was Marco. The basketball players and the girls were equally stunned. Marco's face twitched. How dare Gilmore offer such cheap fare? He'd gone too far!

The basketball players and girls were equally shocked. They couldn't believe he'd bought doughnuts and coffee for Christine, Oakhaven University's most beautiful girl! They thought he was unbelievable, wishing lightning would strike him. They couldn't stand the sight of such a ridiculous scene.

Christine was shocked by Gilmore's breakfast choice. It wasn't that she disliked doughnuts and coffee, but she was embarrassed eating them in public. Would people assume she was slumming it or genuinely enjoyed such humble fare?

Despite her disappointment, she maintained composure, taking the food with a faint smile. "Thank you for breakfast!" She even sniffed the doughnuts, exclaiming, "Oh! They smell good!"

Everyone, especially Marco, was shocked. He felt a stabbing pain. He'd invited her to Michelin-starred restaurants and offered French and Japanese cuisine, all rejected. Yet, she praised Gilmore's doughnuts. He felt she had double standards.

"Gilmore, I'll eat these later," Christine said, changing the subject. "I came to see you because I have something for you." Gilmore was curious about what she'd mentioned on WhatsApp.

She gave him an invitation. Gilmore's mouth twitched at the design—two linked hearts and the word "LOVE"—finding it vulgar. He wondered if she planned a sham marriage, but it was just a request to pretend to be her boyfriend; the contract made no mention of marriage. Of course, he mused, he might consider a pretend marriage if it included intimacy with Christine.

A smile played on his lips, but Christine's words shattered his fantasy. "It's my 20th birthday this Saturday. This is the invitation to my party. Please come."

Gilmore was surprised. Wasn't it a pretend marriage? But a party wouldn't hurt. He took the invitation, smiling. "Don't worry, I'll be there."

"I'll be waiting. I'm heading back to the Art Department for class," Christine said, departing.

"I'm going to the Medical Department. Let's walk together," Gilmore offered. Christine nodded.

Ten meters from the court, Gilmore asked, "You don't like the doughnuts and coffee?"

His question almost brought Christine to tears. She forced a smile. "Of course, I do."

"Then why not eat them now? They're not as good cold."

"Alright!" She desperately took a bite.

Marco and the others were once again shocked. Only after Gilmore and Christine disappeared did they regain their composure. Marco left silently, his expression gloomy.

Everyone knew why. Christine hadn't given Marco the invitation, but Gilmore. And she’d eaten the cheap doughnuts and coffee. They struggled to accept the reality.

On a secluded path, Christine looked at the half-eaten doughnut and coffee. Her resentment was palpable. "That bastard Gilmore! He made me eat this in front of everyone. My image is ruined! Damn you, Gilmore, I'll tear you apart!"

Instead of Gilmore, she tore off a large chunk of the doughnut. The food silenced her curses. After chewing, she savored it, admitting, "I didn't expect it to be so delicious. Tomorrow, I'll ask that bastard Gilmore to buy me more."

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