Chapter 3
Maggie paused in her steps.
She was fully aware that Jeffrey’s social group didn’t accept her.
Jeffrey was the leading figure of the young generation in theoretical physics in the United States, and he was the youngest professor at both Ivy League universities.
His colleagues, who considered themselves to be intellectual elites, often looked down on her academic background. They believed she wasn’t as good as Amber and wasn’t suitable for someone like Jeffrey.
In truth, Maggie didn’t feel she was inferior, but for the sake of Jeffrey’s connections, she had put up with it for a long time.
But now, she felt there was no need to tolerate it any longer.
Taking a deep breath, Maggie opened the door and stepped inside.
The people in the room noticed her, but instead of feeling awkward about being caught gossiping, they continued to mock her. “Oh, Maggie’s here. We were just joking…‘
”
Amid their laughter, Maggie responded with a smile. “That’s quite amusing. I wonder if your annual salary is as much as my monthly bonus? How do you manage to be so confident?”
The room fell dead silent, and everyone stared in astonishment at the woman who had always allowed herself to be teased without speaking
- up.
The man who had just spoken was flushed with a mix of
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Chapter 3
embarrassment and anger.
Jeffrey raised his eyes to meet Maggie’s and replied coldly, “Maggic, that joke wasn’t funny.”
Maggie stared back at Jeffrey.
When others made fun of her, he didn’t intervene, but when she stood up for herself, he spoke out.
It was essentially because he shared the same opinions as the others.
He also dismissed Maggie’s academic background, thinking she wasn’t as capable as Amber, and even felt he was just tolerating her…
Maggie’s chest tightened, and then she saw Amber approaching her with a soft smile, trying to smooth things over.
“Oh, Maggie has always had such a fiery temper since she was little. Please, everyone, don’t mind her.”
The fake sweetness in her tone was so overwhelming that it nearly suffocated Maggie.
Based on her usual temper, she would’ve snapped back at Amber right away. But strangely, after deciding to let go of Jeffrey, she didn’t even feel like arguing with Amber.
Maggie smiled and sat down, saying, “Yes, it’s my fault for having such a bad temper.”
What surprised Amber the most was that Maggie didn’t argue.
After a brief moment, the conversation around the table picked up
again.
Someone intentionally raised their voice. “Marvin, your project is a
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national–level one. Just the research funding is worth millions
“Unlike some people, who make money through shady method
Maggie couldn’t be bothered to engage with them anymore since the wouldn’t have to see them again after this.
She just glanced at Jeffrey, who remained unmoved by these remarks, and internally sneered, briefly feeling sorry for herself
When the meal started, Amber picked up a spicy chicken wing, but Jeffrey frowned and said, “You can’t handle spicy food. Are you trying to ruin your stomach?”
Jeffrey was clueless about daily life. Maggie had to leave him sticky notes reminding him of what to do in all situations.
For someone who seemed so indifferent to the world, how could he remember every little preference of Amber?
Maggie had already lost her appetite, and now she couldn’t eat a single bite.
When the party concluded, Jeffrey hurried to settle the bill first. They walked ahead, with Maggie trailing behind.
Maggie suddenly recalled how things used to be when the three of them were together before Amber went abroad.
Afterwards, when Amber went abroad, Maggie became Jeffrey’s girlfriend. She finally moved from trailing behind him to walking beside him.
She thought that everything had changed.
But in reality, once Amber returned, everything went back to how it
was.
Chapter 3
The trio reached the hotel’s entrance. Jeffrey turned to Amber, looked at her intently, and asked, “Is someone coming to pick you up?”
Amber nodded and responded, “My brother will be here soon.”
Just then, a car pulled up at the door.
As the door opened, a little boy ran up to Amber and exclaimed, “Auntie, happy birthday!”
The next moment, upon spotting Jeffrey, the boy teasingly said, “Uncle! You haven’t visited me in ages!”
Maggie stood frozen for a second.
Jeffrey glanced at her briefly before bending down to pat the child’s head, then turned to Amber and said, “Text me when you get home.”
Amber nodded at him, then glanced at Maggie once more.
There was no hint of boasting in her eyes, but it seemed to convey a message to Maggie, “See? Despite the five years of distance between Jeffrey and me, what we share is something you can never compare to.”
Once the car drove away, Jeffrey turned back to Maggie and said, “Let’s go.”
Maggie hesitated for a moment before matching his pace.
After getting into the car, Jeffrey began to explain, “I used to be close to that kid, but I didn’t expect that Amber didn’t tell him that we broke up.”
ess,
Hearing this, Maggie turned to face him. The car’s lights were off, so she could only see half of his face, the other half hidden in da making it impossible to read his expression.
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Chapter 3
Maggie thought about his explanation for a moment before letting out a small laugh.
The one who caused the misunderstanding was that child. Jeffrey could have cleared things up with a simple sentence earlier, but he hadn’t.
Now, he had to explain it all to her.
Wasn’t it ridiculous?
Maggie turned her gaze toward the window.
Since she didn’t reply, Jeffrey glanced at her, his eyes inevitably drawn to her bright red dress.
He immediately frowned and said, “Also, don’t wear red dresses anymore. They don’t look good.‘
