Chapter 2585


    Mara crouched discreetly in the corner, her gaze vigntly sweeping over each person who entered the


    auditorium.


    As expected, it wasn’t long before a tall, familiar figure showed up-the very person she’d been longing


    to see for days.


    Without a second thought, she burst from her hiding spot and nted herself firmly in front of Balfour.


    Balfour was striding purposefully toward the auditorium, irked by the sudden cancetion of a nned


    rehearsal that had instead gathered all the students here. He was less than pleased now.


    His brow furrowed when an unexpected obstacle-a dazed-looking girl-blocked his path. “What are you


    doing?” he asked, his expression as imperious as ever.


    Mara was struck anew by his charisma. “I’ve been looking for you for ages. I wanted to see you again


    sooner, but I never imagined it would take this long! Sorry, our schools are miles apart, so it took me a


    while to get here,” she said, her voice tinged with shyness as she offered Balfour a timid smile.


    Balfour’s frown deepened. Was this girl mistaking him for someone else? She was spoutingplete


    nonsense. “I’m sorry, but I think you have the wrong person. We don’t know each other.”


    Mara’s heart sank. What was he talking about? They had just met a short while ago. How could he


    completely forget her?


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    “Do you really not remember me? Or are you just pulling my leg? A few weeks ago, you handed me


    your handkerchief,” she said, pulling out the neatly washed and folded piece of cloth. “See, this is


    yours, isn’t it? I’ve been keeping it ever since, hoping to return it to you.”


    Balfour squinted, recognizing his handkerchief, but he genuinely didn’t recall the girl before him. “Sorry,


    I don’t remember. Since I gave it to you, you might as well throw it away. I never take back what I’ve


    given away, If that’s all, please step aside. I have things to do.”


    Balfour was doing his best to mask his impatience, but Mara’s evident disappointment was hard to


    ignore. He was always the center of attention, and a small crowd had already begun to form around


    them.


    The auditorium was a hive of student activity, and their conversation could hardly go unnoticed.


    Mara’s smile grew more strained. “Are you saying you don’t remember me at all? That’s impossible.


    You must be pretending, right?”


    She widened her eyes, searching Balfour’s face for any trace of a lie. Unfortunately, she found none.


    Balfour’s expression clearly conveyed that he honestly didn’t recall her.


    “Pathetic, clinging to a handkerchief from the school’s heartthrob as if it means. something. Does she


    not realize how many girls have tried the same thing? It’s just embarrassing!” A group of girls nearby


    began to snicker.


    Balfour was the unattainable prize of their school, and many had tried to win his affection to no avail.


    Mara wasn’t even particrly stunning, yet here she was deluding herself in public. She didn’t seem to


    understand her own worth.


    “Can’t her family even afford her a mirror? She should take a good look at herself before trying to hit on


    our golden boy. What a joke.”


    Mara clenched her fists tightly, knowing the day wouldn’t be easy but not expecting total disregard from


    Balfour, nor the public ridicule that was now her lot to bear.