Adam had sent, "Celine, answer!"

Celine couldn't help but laugh softly. Who did he think he was? Her boss? Why on earth should she listen to him? She ignored him again.

From the driver's seat, Perry glanced at her and chuckled. "Celine, even though you're divorced from Mr. Alvarez, I can't help but feel like there's still something unresolved between you two. Do you think he still has feelings for you?"

Celine shrugged. "I don't know."

Perry smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Back at the boutique, when I put my arm around you, the way Mr. Alvarez was looking at me I swear, I felt like he wanted to chop my hand off!"

"Celine," he continued, "pretending to be your boyfriend feels like a high-risk job."

Celine gave him a side-eye glance. "Then do you want to quit? If you're scared, I can always ask Cyrus or Jason instead."

"Don't!" Perry protested instantly. "For you, Celine, I'd face fire and brimstone without hesitation."

The two of them laughed and bantered as Perry navigated the streets. Before long, they arrived at Yorhine University.

Celine stepped out of the car and made her way to the girls' dormitory. As expected, Halley wasn't there yet. She sat down to wait for her.

Celine hadn't been wrong; Halley had indeed gone off to look for Declan.

At that moment, Halley was stepping into Declan's classroom. Before she could even call out his name, two of Declan's male classmates approached her.

"Hi, Hailey!"

Hailey blinked, startled. "You know me?"

"Of course we do," one said. "You've been showing up here every day for the past week looking for Declan. How could we not know you?"

The other classmate chimed in with a grin. "And let's not forget, you're a celebrity at Yorhine University now. Everyone's been talking about that fight between Declan and Ewan on the basketball court over you."

Hailey had no idea she'd become something of a campus celebrity. With the birthmark on her face gone, her delicate, oval-shaped face now appeared radiant and charming, effortlessly drawing attention wherever she went.

Today, she was dressed in the school uniform: a crisp white blouse tucked neatly into a navy blue skirt, paired with a dark blue blazer. Her long, glossy black hair cascaded over her shoulders, her bangs framing her forehead perfectly. She exuded a fresh and innocent schoolgirl charm.

Feeling a little shy, Hailey asked softly, "Excuse me, do you know if Declan is here today?"

The boys exchanged glances and shook their heads. "Sorry, Hailey. Declan hasn't been to school for a few days now."

Again, he wasn't here. Halley's face fell slightly, a flicker of disappointment crossing her delicate features. "Alright. Thank you. I'll get going then!" Turning to leave, she clutched her handbag a little tighter. Inside was a black jacket—his black jacket. She still hadn't had the chance to return it to him. After defeating Ewan on the basketball court last time, Declan had left without a word, striding off without even looking at her.

Hailey made her way to the restroom to wash her hands.

As she stood at the sink, a group of upperclassmen girls entered. Leading the pack was Hattie Stephenson, the department's undisputed beauty. Hattie, with her wealthy upbringing, carried herself like a born socialite. Her strikingly long legs had made her a favorite among the male students. She was chatting with the girls around her, and one of them teased, "Hattie, have you managed to win Declan over yet?"

Declan? Hailey's ears pricked up upon hearing the name.

Hattie's expression flickered between smugness and irritation. "Not yet. I've been chasing him forever, and he still hasn't said yes. Honestly, I think he's just pretending, acting all cold and aloof on purpose." Her beautiful face was tinged with frustration.

"Oh, he's definitely pretending! Declan must secretly love it when someone as gorgeous as Hattie, with legs like those, is chasing after him."