Chapter 17
903 Words
Jason’s gaze turned icy.
For a moment, he even felt the urge to grab her throat again.
Tina Carter seemed to sense the danger and immediately stepped in front of Anna.
At the same time, another voice rang out—
“Class president, we have a bet.”
“Before the exams are over—whether Anna comes back to you willingly or you try to force her—”
“As long as I’m here, I’ll protect her.”
It was Leon Taylor.
Jason paused briefly.
Then he sneered.
“Impressive.”
“You found yourself a protector pretty quickly.”
“Leon Taylor… don’t tell me you’ve liked her for a long time?”
“Or do the two of you already have something going on behind the scenes?”
Leon almost threw a punch.
---
Anna let out a cold laugh.
“Jason Lincoln,” she said,
“even if we did have something going on, what does that have to do with you?”
“And besides…”
Her eyes slid toward Jessica, who stood quietly beside him, wrapped in luxury brands.
“We’re clean and dignified.”
“Not like you and Jessica…”
“Did you just come straight from a hotel and decide to show off your new outfits?”
“Anna Nolan!” Jason exploded.
---
Jessica bit her lower lip.
She hadn’t intended to compete with Anna—
but that insult ignited her anger.
Still, she considered herself clever.
She would not step forward.
As a woman—
especially in front of a man eager to prove himself—
she knew she had to give him face and let him take the lead.
Being soft and dependent…
was the easiest way to secure a good life.
---
“Anna Nolan,” Jason said coldly,
“if you kneel down now and beg me to help you get into that university… or pass the interview…”
“for the sake of how you used to help me and Jessica—doing chores, buying breakfast, queuing, running errands—”
“I might reluctantly help you.”
In their previous life—
all of those trivial tasks had indeed been done by Anna.
Jason believed his mother was right.
There was nothing wrong with being served.
What mattered was—
he still wanted Anna Nolan to serve Jessica Cole.
---
Anna’s expression turned mocking.
“Jason Lincoln… do you really think you’ve been given face?”
“In your last life, I was your lifelong workhorse.”
“And in this life, you still expect me to serve you and Jessica?”
“Just because you’re ranked first?”
Don’t make her laugh.
How he became first—
did he really have no awareness at all?
---
“If I’m not first, then what—because you’re tenth?” Jason leaned closer to her ear, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
“You don’t seriously think that just because you’ve been reborn…”
“you can use the interview information I got in my previous life to steal my opportunity, do you?”
“You want to replace me?”
“To prove that you weren’t wrong before?”
“No need.”
His lips curved coldly.
“I’m not that heartless.”
“As long as you promise not to interfere in my relationship with Jessica…”
“And continue serving us like before…”
“Then when I become the richest man…”
“I’ll give you your reward too.”
---
The air froze.
And this time—
Anna Nolan didn’t feel pain.
Only clarity.
Crystal clear.
Hearing that, Anna Nolan laughed.
“Jason Lincoln, you really have no shame.”
“Thanks for your ‘kindness,’ but you can keep it for yourself.”
“But what you just said reminded me of something—”
She tilted her head slightly, her eyes cold.
“Don’t let the day come when you’re the one kneeling in front of me, begging… after you’ve lost everything.”
“Anna Nolan!”
“Jason Lincoln,” she said calmly, “it’s best if we keep our distance from now on.”
“Let well water stay separate from river water.”
“I hope you keep your word.”
“As for whether I get accepted through the special program or pass the interview—that’s my business.”
“It has nothing to do with you.”
“And if you’re unhappy… if you think I’m only winning because I have memories from the past—”
“Then compete with me.”
She stepped closer, her voice steady.
“Open your eyes and look carefully.”
“Who do these opportunities really belong to?”
With that, Anna brushed past him, her shoulder lightly knocking against his, and slipped the documents into her bag.
---
Jason Lincoln’s face darkened.
“So stubborn, huh?”
“Fine.”
“I’ll wait.”
“I’ll wait for the day you come crawling back, begging to reconcile with me.”
Turning to Jessica, his tone softened instantly.
“Jessica, class is starting. Put your bag down.”
“After evening study, I’ll take you out again.”
“I’ll buy you your favorite milk tea.”
Putting on an air of gentlemanly charm, Jason pulled out a chair for Jessica Cole and gestured for her to sit.
- Writer
