NovelOnlineChapter
187
Aaron skulked off to a corner in defeat and dejection.
If he kept pushing, he would only humiliate himself further.’
With nothing else to do, he slumped into a chair and sullenly sipped a drink.
Before long, Phoebe sidled up to him.
"What do you want? Here to rub it in? Beat it!" Aaron snapped coldly.
Phoebe's face darkened. She was clearly unimpressed by his sulking.
"Oh, don't take it out onjust because you're a loser!" she said with a sneer. "Honestly, you've spent four
years chasing after Irene like a lovesick fool, and has she even once spared you a glance? You've embarrassed
yourself and everyone in our circle!" She crossed her arms. Her voice dripped with disdain. "Have you forgotten
who you are? You're the heir to the Burke family! What happened to your pride? Did you leave it at the bottom of
your whiskey glass?" Phoebe's rant only deepened Aaron's scowl.
"If | were you, Irene would've been mine ages ago," she said with a mocking smile. "It's just a woman. How can it
be so hard? All you need are slittle tricks. Are you really this useless?" Aaron's eyes darkened as a
dangerous glint flickered in them.
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He knew there were easier ways to do this. It had simply been his pride and his insistence on playing the
gentleman that had held him back. But after being publicly humiliated tonight, something inside him snapped.
"What's your plan?" he asked in a low and sharp voice.
Irene and Dustin were preparing to leave the ball early, but before they could make it to the door, Aaron and
Phoebe stepped into their path
"Aaron, this is pointless," Irene said in exasperation. "There's nothing between us, and there never will be."
"I know," Aaron said in unusual sincerity. "I've accepted it."
He paused, then said somberly, "Irene, graduation is just around the corner. Once we leave from here, it's hard
to say if we'll ever cross paths again. | just want to share a drink with you. One last toast. After that, | swear, I'll
never bother you again." Phoebe chimed in with an apologetic smile, "Irene, we've all made mistakes, and | know
I've wronged you too. Let's just have a drink, clear the air, and leave the past behind." Chapter 187
Irene hesitated and glanced at Dustin. He did not seem concerned, so she nodded
If this ended things for good, she did not mind going for a drink.
She turned to Dustin. "Will you cwith me?"
"Your call," Dustin said with an easy smile. "I'll follow your lead."
Irene smiled back.
Aaron and Phoebe exchanged a glance, where a flicker of malice glinted briefly in their eyes
The four drove to an upscale karaoke lounge just off campus.
Phoebe was clearly a regular customer. She exchanged a few words with the staff, who promptly escorted them
to the largest and most luxurious private room available. "Let's make tonight unforgettable! My treat!" Aaron
cheered.
"That's right," Phoebe said with a grin. "After tonight, we all go our separate ways, so let's make it count. No one
leaves sober!" She gestured for an attendant to bring in a cart laden with drinks.
They asked for a sentimental farewell song to be played in the background.
Irene found herself growing increasingly uncomfortable. She shared no real camaraderie with Aaron or Phoebe,
and the whole atmosphere felt painfully awkward.
Phoebe poured Irene a glass of wine and held it out with a forced smile. "Irene, this one's on me. Consider it my
apology for the past four years."
Irene was not much of a drinker, but she accepted the glass out of politeness.
Phoebe turned to Dustin next and poured him a drink as well. "And for you, Dustin. Let's just say it's my way of
saying thanks for keeping us entertained tonight." She raised her glass, and her gaze flitted between the two of
them expectantly.
Irene, oblivious to the tension, raised her glass as well. Meanwhile, Dustin examined his drink with a small smile.
Aaron and Phoebe exchanged a brief but tense glance.
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Then, Dustin casually raised his glass to his lips.
Phoebe and Aaron felt relieved. "Cheers!" Phoebe said brightly.
The four clinked glasses, and Irene and Dustin both downed their drinks in one go.
Phoebe's eyes
lit up
in satisfaction as she quickly downed her own.
Chapter 187.
Aaron leaned forward and fixed his gaze on | you. These past four years, I've given you not unfortunate that...
you could never see it." H can't be forced. | see that now." Raising his glass, he offered a faint, bitterswe the past
behind and walking separate paths."
Chapter 187
+25 BONUS
Aaron leaned forward and fixed his gaze on Irene. "Irene, | meant every word | ever said to you. These past four
years, I've given you nothing but my sincerest feelings. It's unfortunate that... you could never see it." He paused
and sighed tically. "But love can't be forced. | see that now."
Raising his glass, he offered a faint, bittersweet smile. "Here's to moving on! To leaving the past behind and
walking separate paths."
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