“I need to return to school. We can do this another time.”


    Surveying the revealing garments, Millie blushed and longed to depart swiftly.


    How could she possibly wear such skimpy clothing?


    “We’re here already. Let’s just make a quick purchase,” Grace insisted, pointing at one set. “How about


    this ckce ensemble? It’s incredibly alluring.”


    Hushed and self-conscious, Millie replied, “I don’t think so. It barely covers anything. I can’t wear that. I


    truly have to return to ss now.”


    Millie wished she could just knock Grace out and whisk her away from this situation.


    “This is exactly what you need.”


    Grace selected the piece she’d indicated earlier, along with a rabbit-themed set. She paid for them and


    handed the bag to Millie.


    With the bag clutched in her hand, Millie hurried back to school, only to arrive slightlyte.


    Coincidentally, it was Marcus’ ss. From a few meters away, she caught hisposed voice


    reverberating from the ssroom.


    Blushing profusely, Millie stood by the door and said, “I apologize for my tardiness.”


    Under Marcus’ scrutiny, Millie inadvertently concealed the pink bag behind her, her cheeks ame with


    embarrassment.


    A few seconds passed in silence. Millie felt as if each passing second was dragging on for an eternity.


    She mustered the courage to raise her flushed face, meeting Marcus’ gaze.


    If he continued to keep her waiting Like this, she was almost ready to never talk to him. Hadn’t he


    professed his love for her? Yet he hesitated to let her in.


    “Come in,” he finally uttered.


    Ang’s Library


    With a mix of relief and excitement, Millie hurriedly entered the ssroom, swiftly taking her seat.


    Though nobody knew what was concealed within her bag, she felt as though it was made of ss,


    transparent to the world.


    Especially since Marcus had cast a few curious nces at her bag earlier, as if he was intrigued by its


    contents.


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    When Millie entered, Marcus resumed his lecture.


    “The evolution of the jewelry industry in various global regions…” Millie tried to focus, rubbing her


    temples in an attempt to quell the swirling emotions within her.


    But then the weather outside changed abruptly, and a fierce gust of wind invaded the ssroom.


    Papers from Kaya’s desk took flight, scattering like leaves in the wind.


    The unexpected disturbance forced Marcus to halt the lecture momentarily.