Acting One Way to My Face and Another Behind My Back
Winona had claimed that Craig was busy with various commercials recently, so much so that they
barely had any time to meet each other. If that was the case, then what was he doing just now
Joey followed Elise’s gaze and took in the sight. It was just that she did not recognize Craig, so she
casually said, “That man must have a bad stomach.”
“How do you know?” Elise asked innocently.
“It’s so obvious! He’s a kept man!” Joey pursed her lips. She despised these kinds of men the most—
men who put on airs but only wanted to ‘leech’ off women to live.
Even Joey could tell that the relationship between Craig and that woman was not that simple. It proved
that Elise was not overthinking things.
In the driver’s seat, Alexander was slightly absent-minded as he drove. He would glance in the
rearview mirror from time to time and observe Elise’s reaction. He thought that today might be a good
day to confess.
Following several internal struggles, he reduced his driving speed and prepared to speak. But, when he
looked up, he saw that Elise had taken out her phone to make a phone call. The words that were on
the tip of his tongue could only be swallowed back once more.
It didn’t take long for Winona to answer the phone.
“Elise, I was just about to call you. So many people have been asking for you to appear in their
commercials. Even Blitzy Entertainment has started to prepare for a joint promotional effort.” She was
so busy that her eyes were spinning, but she seemed to be enjoying herself.
People who had just graduated from college were usually like that. They were not scared of exhaustion
or hardship. Instead, they were most afraid of having nothing to do or being unneeded.
“Let’s meet up and talk about that next time. I remember you saying that your boyfriend, Craig, is a
trainee who has been very busy recently, right?” Elise could not ask too bluntly, so she could only ask
in a slightly convoluted manner.
“That’s right! He’s really very hardworking. I only helped him a little in the early stage, and he is already
doing much better recently. I heard that several investors have been interested in shooting
commercials with him. Our goals are extremely aligned. If it’s for the sake of our career, we are not
afraid, no matter how difficult it gets. Else, don’t you think I have a good eye for people?” At the
mention of Craig, Winona shone as brightly as a little sun, full of vigor.
Elise’s heart immediately softened at those words, and she reluctantly played along. “That’s right.
You’re the best at reading people. Since you’re working so hard, I’ll personally cook for you when we
meet in two days. I have to treat you well.”
There were some things she could not bring herself to say over the phone. She figured that such things
would be better said face to face.
“Sure!” Winona readily agreed. “I love you, Elise!”
They continued chatting for a bit longer before Elise ended the call. However, her expression was not
very good.
“That was the girlfriend of the man just now, right?” Joey has keen observation skills, so she
immediately hit the nail on the situation.
Elise did not deny those words and simply wondered, Why are so many people in the world unable to
be satisfied with what they have? He has such a great girlfriend. It’s clear as day that they could have
worked hard together and built a better life with each other. Why do they have to betray themselves to
obtain benefits without putting in any work? Of course, some people are willing to live like that. That’s
not an issue. But, he should not have made that choice while stringing Winona along and deceiving
her.
Joey continued talking, her expression much sterner than before. “Elise, let me give you a piece of
advice. Don’t interfere with other people’s relationships. Some people might get along with you very
well under normal circumstances, but they are easily confused when it comes to relationship matters.
Even if you have good intentions, you will not be able to help those with love-addled brains. If you can’t
bear to watch, then don’t watch. There are some things in life that everybody must experience.
Unfortunately, we can’t always save everyone.”
When she heard those words, Elise turned to the side and gave Joey a deep look. In her memories,
Joey was either a playful little daredevil who was not afraid of anything or a proud little girl who acted
cold on the outside but was warm on the inside. Even so, Joey’s expression at this moment seemed so
mature. There was a steadiness in her expression that was utterly out of place for people her age. It
looks like Joey’s past experiences are not that normal either.
Nevertheless, Elise had her own set of standards when dealing with people and other matters. She
would not be shaken by external affairs.
“I understand what you mean. Nobody wants to cause trouble for themselves after all.” She patted the
back of Joey’s hand and let out a long breath. “But, this world is so malicious toward girls. Girls should
protect each other. As for the rest, we can think it over slowly.”
Joey knew that she neither had Elise’s broad love for others nor the intention of protecting all the weak.
But, be that as it may, she listened to Elise’s words. Girls should protect each other. That’s why I will
work hard to be the best person I can be. That way, I will definitely protect Elise.
Afterward, a brief silence fell over the car.
Elise had enjoyed herself today and was a little tired as a result. Then, she leaned back against the
leather seat behind her and suddenly murmured without apparent reason. “What did Winona do
wrong? All the fault lies with that man. He acts one way in front of her and another behind her back.
Why would he do that to the people who trust him the most…”
The speaker uttered those words without thought, but those words held significant meaning to the
listener.
Alexander had initially planned to confess. However, his heart became disturbed after hearing those
words. I didn’t know she cares so much about those kinds of things.
For the rest of the journey, all three were immersed in their respective thoughts and didn’t exchange a
single word.
——
That night, Elise returned to her room after taking a shower. Then, after she logged in to her computer,
she sent an email to the email address that Tiana had given her.
‘SQ, why did you change your social media handle? Has your phone been stolen?’
In less than two minutes, she received an answer from the other party.
‘Is this Elise? Tiana mentioned you to me today. That’s right. I accidentally lost my phone, so I had to
create another account.’
Tiana sat in front of the computer and pressed ‘Send’ after typing those words. Following that, she
stared at the screen cautiously. Those words caught her heart in her throat, and she was so nervous
that she could not move. I knew it! Elise does know SQ, after all. But, I can’t be sure whether my
secondary account can gain her trust.
Conversely, Elise couldn’t help sneering coldly at Tiana’s reply. That reply was akin to a guilty person
giving themselves away by being too conscious about declaring their innocence.
The other party was terrified that Elise might not believe that SQ had taken in Tiana as a student. That
was why she deliberately mentioned the name ‘Tiana’ despite knowing that this was a private
conversation.
Seriously. You gave yourself away by concealing the truth! How unnecessary!
Her slender fingers tapped against the keyboard as she replied immediately.
‘I see. I was wondering about the paintings that you left in my care previously. How should I return them
to you?’
Paintings? Tiana’s eyes narrowed slightly. SQ’s paintings? Moreover, there’s more than one! Isn’t this
practically a free gift? It’s a waste not to accept!
‘Give me an address. I’ll ask Tiana to pick them up.’
The corners of Elise’s mouth lifted slightly. She pretended to be mysterious. ‘Didn’t you say you are the
only person who can take them? I won’t hand them over to anybody else.’
‘Okay then. I’ll give you an address. Send the items there, and I’ll pick them up myself.’ Tiana
responded.
‘Okay.’
A moment later, she shared an address with Elise.
Elise calmly read the contents of their conversation, and her eyes gleamed with a shrewd light. Good.
The fish has taken the bait.
At the same time, late at night in the teacher’s dormitory of Tissote University, Martin took out the
sealed answer sheets and accurately found Elise’s answer sheet.
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