Chapter 32

Suddenly, I felt that Kevin was a much scarier person than Julian. Lila paled slightly, saying, "We should call the police if it gets too bad. Isn't this stalking? It's terrifying."

I calmed myself, then rejected her plea. "Target him? With what he's done, he'd just be detained for half a month at most."

"Then what should we do?" Lila was so anxious she was on the verge of tears.

I gritted my teeth. "Since he's working in the shadows while I'm out in the open, I've got no choice but to face him head-on. If I'm going to go down, I might as well go down fighting. Rather than waiting passively, it's better to seize the initiative."

The next morning, the first customer was the person I least wanted to see: Kevin. He entered carrying breakfast, smiling as he approached. "Serena, I'm sorry for what happened yesterday. I came to apologize."

Holding a rag, I didn't look up. "First, watch your tone. Second, I don't accept your apology!"

Kevin anxiously stepped closer. "Serena, I mean it. I... I was misled by someone. That's all."

I responded, "You might have had your difficulties, but I'm the one who got hurt. Surely, you have no reason to force me to forgive you?"

Discreetly observing his reactions, I noticed a flicker of surprise at my refusal, quickly replaced by determination as he stepped forward again. "Serena, I promise I won't do anything like this again."

"We're still coworkers," I said, putting down the rag. "But before that, you need to answer a question."

Kevin was ecstatic at my relenting. "Okay, Serena. I'll answer honestly."

"Did you know me before this?" I studied him intently. His confident reply didn't reveal whether he was lying.

"Then, do you know Elena?" I asked again.

Kevin waved his hands vigorously. "That's even more impossible. Elena found me through someone else. She offered me money and asked for my help; I carelessly agreed."

Wearing a petulant expression, he said, "Serena, at the time, I didn't know who you were. I was truly blinded by money. Please forgive me."

I felt a sudden wave of nausea at his demeanor. "For the last time, watch your tone."

Afterward, I ignored Kevin to serve other customers. I just wanted to finish work and return to the dormitory; Lila was probably starving.

The familiar atmosphere of the dormitory offered a sense of security, calming my nerves.

Lila popped out of bed and eagerly rushed over, grabbing the food from my hands.

I rolled my eyes, hanging up my bag. "And here I was, thinking you were enthusiastic about my return."

"Isn't this delicious food the best welcome?" she replied, savoring the meal. "So, did Kevin show up at work today?"