Chapter 40
Harley's appearance in the same class lit up Leia's face with surprise and delight. Forgetting his cold attitude from a few days ago, she eagerly waved at him.
"Wait, do they know each other? Wow, they look like such a good match, handsome and beautiful. Clueless, we don't stand a chance."
The girls overheard Leia calling Harley by name, and their curiosity peaked. Harley, who had been indifferent to everyone else, immediately walked straight toward Leia as soon as he entered. The familiarity between the two was obvious.
Whispers rippled through the crowd. "Are they a couple? They sure look like it. Totally a perfect match."
Leia's heart swelled with pride upon hearing someone describe her and Harley as a picture-perfect pair. Her chin lifted slightly higher, her steps carrying an extra air of triumph. To everyone's shock, however, Harley didn't address Leia first. Instead, his sharp gaze softened, and a cool smile played on his lips as he greeted the girl standing behind Leia.
"Noelle. What a coincidence, we're in the same class, huh?"
Noelle glanced up at him, a little surprised. Ever since running into Harley at the mall, it seemed fate had a funny way of throwing them together. First, he turned out to be Leia's high school classmate, and now they were in the same university class. After a moment's thought, Noelle decided it wouldn't hurt to get along with Harley.
A radiant smile spread across her face. "Yeah, what a coincidence, Harley. It seems like we're really fated to be friends. Can you believe we ended up in the same class? "
"It does feel like fate," Harley replied, his thin lips curving upward in a genuine smile. Fate, indeed, he had spent a hundred thousand dollars to make sure they'd end up in the same class.
"I thought Harley and the other girl were a couple, but it turns out he's interested in the one behind her." "It's a pity that the girl was so enthusiastic, but it turned out to be wishful thinking." "Oh no, that poor girl must be so embarrassed now."
Leia stiffened at the whispers swirling around them, her cheeks burning. As the Anderson family's beloved princess, she had never experienced such humiliation before. Harley's indifference cut deep. What had she done to deserve this? Why was Harley treating her this way?
As her eyes brimmed with tears of frustration, Harley suddenly turned to look at her. "Leia, I left in a hurry the other day without saying goodbye. I'm sorry," he said, his tone neutral.
Leia blinked, stunned. Harley was apologizing to me? She hadn't even been upset about his sudden departure, but the fact that he remembered and cared enough to bring it up rekindled her hope. He still cares about me, Leia thought, her heart swelling with sweetness.
Her smile brightened as she shook her head. "It's okay, Harley. Don't worry about it. You must've had something important to do. I managed just fine."
"How about I treat you both to lunch today as an apology?" Harley offered casually.
Leia beamed. "You're too kind."
"It's the least I can do," Harley replied. Harley didn't exactly like Leia, but he wasn't oblivious to the fact that storming off the other day had been a mistake. Besides, Leia was Noelle's sister, and for Noelle's sake, he couldn't afford to let things sour too much between them. With these considerations in mind, Harley decided to apologize. And as a bonus? The apology could double as an excuse to invite Noelle out for a meal. Two birds, one stone, Harley thought.
The class soon headed to the field for the opening ceremony. Harley naturally walked beside Noelle, while Leia hovered close to his other side. However, Harley's attention was almost exclusively on Noelle. He kept a subtle but protective watch over her, steering her away from potential collisions with the bustling crowd.
Leia couldn't suppress her jealousy any longer. Forcing a smile, she said, "Harley, Noelle's not a child. You don't have to coddle her so much, it'll only spoil her."
"Huh?" Noelle, who hadn't noticed Harley's attentiveness, tilted her head and looked at him curiously. "Harley, what's up? There are a lot of people around."
"Just being careful so you don't get bumped," Harley replied, his tone matter-of-fact.
Noelle frowned slightly, clearly unimpressed. "Are you doubting my reflexes?" she said. "I didn't mean I could walk through this crowd with my eyes closed, and no one would touch me. Watch."
Before Harley could react, Noelle shut her eyes and began weaving through the crowd with confident, fluid movements, her petite frame slipping through gaps effortlessly.
"Noelle!" Harley started to move after her, but a low murmur from nearby stopped him in his tracks.
"Whoa, who's that? Is she a freshman? She's adorable."
Harley turned his head to see a group of male students staring unabashedly at Noelle, their eyes practically sparkling. It wasn't surprising. Noelle's beauty was striking, but there was also an air of innocence about her that drew people in. Her petite stature, porcelain-like skin, and delicate features made her look like a living doll under the morning sunlight. Even the faint peach fuzz on her cheeks only added to her charm.
"She's stunning."
"Quick, take a picture!" One of the boys pulled out his phone, but before he could snap a shot, a hand shot out and blocked his view. Startled, he looked up straight into Harley's cold, cutting glare.