After having lunch with Lola, Dylan was on his way to the VIP room. He planned to greet Professor Xavier before returning to the prosecutor’s office.
At first, he walked carelessly, but…
Click, click. With each step the woman in front took, the sound of her high heels echoed through the quiet hospital corridor.
Dylan didn’t particularly like the sound of heels, perhaps because Lola usually didn’t wear high-heeled shoes.
What could he say?
It was somewhat irritating.
Click, click, click, click.
As the distance closed, the sound of the heels grew louder, and Dylan’s eyebrows began to furrow slightly.
Suddenly, the woman walking ahead seemed to sense something behind her and stopped, turning around.
When their eyes met, a flush appeared on her face. In contrast, Dylan’s expression immediately darkened, and he couldn’t say anything nice.
“Nia Aliza, what are you doing here?”
Nia felt disappointed.
She didn’t expect anything grand from Dylan Eve, but his blunt tone was so cold that it sent chills down her spine.
However, trying not to show it, Nia stood facing Dylan with her arms crossed, trying to appear aloof.
“It’s really funny. Did I come to a place I shouldn’t be?”
“You know better than anyone, don’t you?”
“What do you mean? Speak clearly so I can understand.”
“You haven’t forgotten what nonsense you pulled, have you?”
If her memory served her right, this was the first time so many words had been exchanged between Dylan and her.
It would have been better if it weren’t this kind of tense conversation.
Nia felt as if her heart was bruising under his piercing gaze.
Though her misery rose to her throat, she tried to act fine and maintained her aloof demeanor.
“Dylan, why are you talking like that? It sounds like I did something to you. If someone hears it, they might really misunderstand.”
She even laughed, pretending to find it amusing.
“If you came to visit, just see the professor and leave. I mean, don’t do anything unnecessary.”
After sharply rebuking her, Dylan turned away coldly.
He had felt unpleasant when Nia first visited Lola, but he held it in.
He thought that if he intervened, it would only complicate things unnecessarily.
He remained silent when Nia called Lola aside.
Since Lola had fiercely retorted, Nia, not being a fool, must have understood to some extent.
On the day of the alumni meeting, he didn’t confront Nia even after learning that she had spouted useless nonsense to Lola while he was away.
He had endured many of Nia’s foolish antics until now.
He thought he had been patient enough and had let things slide.
After all, they had once been classmates.
And since they worked in the same legal field, he didn’t want to make their relationship too terrible.
“Ha…”
A sigh of frustration escaped Nia’s lips as she watched Dylan’s back as he walked away.
‘How could you be like this!’
Why are you so harsh on me?
I didn’t come to visit the professor; I came hoping to see your face, even for a moment, under the pretense of visiting the hospital.
I rushed over, postponing my personal schedule.
You didn’t even give me a glance.
No, you treated me like some strange woman.
Did I expect too much?
Just seeing your face and having a normal conversation like with the other alumni would have been fine. Even a simple greeting wouldn’t have been bad.
But you…
The more she thought about it, the more unfair and angry she felt, and finally, feeling the limits of her patience, a sharp shout burst from Nia’s mouth.
“Dylan Eve, stop right there! Hey! You jerk!”
Surprised, Dylan seemed to pause for a moment but then continued walking.
Nia hurriedly chased after him and grabbed his arm.
Dylan frowned and sternly warned her.
“Let go and talk!”
Yet, even as Nia held on tightly, refusing to let go, Dylan swatted her hand away as if brushing off a bug.
Nia’s expression twisted severely.
“Do I owe you anything?”
Seeing Nia glare at him as if questioning him, the corner of Dylan’s mouth curled up in a smirk.
He chuckled, finding it absurd.
“We’re not that close, but that doesn’t mean you have to treat me like this. It’s really too much.”
‘Have I been too harsh?’
For a brief moment, Dylan thought that.
However, he didn’t want to give any leeway to a woman who showed interest in him.
He thought it would be tiring if things got complicated.
Judging that it was right to draw a firm line, Dylan acted even colder.
“I’m just that kind of person. It would be better for you if we avoid running into each other, even by chance, so just steer clear of me.”
And without saying another word, Dylan walked away briskly.
The icy cold gaze and the contemptuous expression that looked at her as if she were some hideous bug made Nia want to sink into the ground from embarrassment.
