Dumping Him for His Uncle (Natasha and Zachary)

Natasha took the popsicle from Vernon's hand and couldn't help but chuckle. "Didn't think you could still find these around. They were a childhood favorite."

The faded, retro wrapper gave it away-it was the kind of popsicle every kid had growing up.

"I'm Vernon Hampton. What's your name?"

He leaned in slightly as he asked, casual but curious. Since he had helped her out, Natasha didn't see a reason not to answer.

"Natasha Bradley."

From the moment she heard his voice earlier, something about it had struck a familiar chord. In her line of work, she had developed a sharp sensitivity to voices.

"Have we met before?" she asked.

Vernon raised an eyebrow. "Didn't expect that. Usually, I'm the one chatting up the girls. First time a girl's trying to flirt with me instead."

Natasha rolled her eyes and didn't bother answering.

"I couldn't help noticing how pissed those girls were at you. Did something happen between you?"

Seeing Natasha remain silent, Vernon kept talking on his own, rambling nonstop. After finishing the popsicle, Natasha turned to leave as if she had made up her mind about something.

"I did just save your reputation. Are you seriously not going to give me your number?"

Vernon gave her a wounded look, blinking dramatically. Standing well over six feet tall, he acted like a kicked puppy.

Natasha might have gagged at the act if it weren't for his handsome face.

But in the end, she gave in and handed over her contact information. After that, she didn't stick around.

...

"Nat, check the trending searches right now!" Liana's voice came through her phone in a rush.

Natasha didn't even need to look to guess what it was about. It could only be that fiasco from earlier.

"Nicole must've lost her damn mind. She and Matthew are riding high on fame and still decided to pull this crap?"

Liana looked at the trending search content and laughed so hard she nearly lost her breath. The whole post was just full of criticism toward them.

Natasha didn't reply. She calmly gathered her things and changed the subject. "So, how are things with Owen?

That wiped the grin off Liana's face in a second. "What do you mean? We're just friends."

Natasha scoffed. "You might fool your dad with that line, but come on, you're using it on me now?"

Owen had been chasing her for four years now. Natasha had never seen anyone stick it out that long.

Unfortunately, Liana's father, Daniel Gray, was the old-school type.

If it weren't for the fact that they've been childhood friends, Natasha's career would never have been accepted by Daniel.

"You know how my dad is-stubborn and old-fashioned. He says anyone who studies computer science won't have a proper job and can't support me."

But Liana had inherited her mother's career path, studying design, so she didn't need a man to support her.

However, that wasn't the real reason. Natasha knew Liana still hadn't fully gotten over her ex-boyfriend.

The man who left quietly for overseas to focus on his career, cutting off contact for seven whole years.

"Forget it. I'm not getting involved in your relationship issues."

Natasha decided to put it aside for now. She had other things to deal with.

The celebration was set to start at 10:00 am, so Natasha woke up early.noveldrama

She changed into a white button-up shirt and a pair of slightly faded jeans, tying her hair into a ponytail. She looked fresh and youthful, like a university student.

"Speaking of which, it's been so long since I've been back. I wonder if the campus has changed," Natasha said as she and Liana walked hand in hand onto the campus, just like they did when they had first entered.

That time in university was the happiest period of Natasha's life.

Meanwhile, following closely behind, Nicole glared at Natasha's back with a malicious look. She had humiliated her yesterday, and today she wasn't going to let her off the hook.