Cassie Kofi turned her head to look at Lexi Le, her face full of surprise.
What did he just say?
Did he say he likes me?
Did he say he's dating me?
Oh my god!
Is happiness really coming this suddenly?
Howard heard Lexi Le's words and immediately shifted the conflict onto Lexi, shouting, "That's right, I'm her boyfriend! Get lost, pretty boy!"
Maybe it was because he was angry.
Howard just thought Lexi looked too handsome, and didn't realize how much he resembled Ethan Yin—so he simply called him a pretty boy.
But Howard's words completely enraged Cassie.
"What are you talking about!" Cassie pushed Howard away. "I won't let you talk about him like that! Lexi is a wonderful man, and you have no right to say those things about him."
Howard was so angry his whole body was shaking.
"Cassie!"
"That's enough, Howard!" Cassie interrupted coldly. "Let me be honest with you—I like Lexi, and I'm planning to stay here for good. If you want to go back, go by yourself. Don't bother me anymore. And for the record, I've never liked you. You were always just imagining things. I didn't say anything before because we grew up together, but now, please take back your feelings for me. I don't want you interfering in my happy life."
"Cassie, he's a liar! You'll never end up with him." Howard stomped his foot in frustration. "Pretty boys like him are experts at fooling women!"
"That's my business, not yours. Even if he does deceive me, I'm willing!" Cassie argued back loudly.
"You—!"
"Howard, that's enough! Stop talking! Just leave! I never want to see you again." Cassie pointed to the door and shouted, "No matter what happens to me in the future, I won't come looking for you. And don't pretend you're doing it for my own good—don't come find me again. I'm not a child anymore. I can take responsibility for my own actions!"
"It's all your fault!" Seeing how clear Cassie was, Howard rushed at Lexi, wanting to punch him.
But Cassie dashed in front of Lexi like a gust of wind, spreading her arms to block the way, with a look that said, "If you want to hit someone, hit me instead!"
Howard forced himself to lower his fist, seething with anger and not knowing how to vent.
Lexi smiled gently, stepped forward, and wrapped her arm around Cassie's waist. "I'm really sorry for stealing the one you love. But feelings don't follow logic. The first time I met Cassie, I was drawn to her. At first, I didn't realize how I felt, but when Cassie hurt her ankle, I understood how much she meant to me. Cassie and I truly care about each other. Please let us be together."
Cassie was so surprised and happy by Lexi's confession that she was left speechless.
Cassie just kept grinning like an idiot.
Howard looked at Cassie's expression—what more did he need to understand?
Cassie lied to him.
Cassie used him and then tossed him aside.
Cassie was serious about this.
He lost. Completely.
"Fine. I get it." Howard looked at Cassie, utterly defeated. "Cassie, you really don't regret this?"
"Of course not." Cassie clung to Lexi's arm. "We're going to be happy."
"Fine, fine." Howard backed away, wounded. "I'm the fool here. I thought after Ethan Yin rejected you, if I brought you home, you'd see how good I was. But even after Ethan Yin turned you down, you still didn't choose me. You actually fell for this pretty boy instead."
It was only now that Howard realized Lexi looked a little like Ethan Yin.
Suddenly, everything made sense to Howard.
Cassie couldn't get the real thing, so she settled for the knockoff.
But even the knockoff was something Howard couldn't compete with.
"You lied to me, Cassie." Howard clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. "I won't forgive you!"
With those words, Howard turned and walked away.
Lexi watched Howard's departing figure, a mysterious smile on his lips.
Cassie saw Howard leave, and instead of feeling sad, she was completely relieved.