He Ignored My Pain, I Demanded To Leave

Jeffrey Vance's proposal party was held at a hotel near my university, and I deliberately avoided that street. Then my phone buzzed. A message from him popped up. Jeffrey: What are you doing at school instead of coming to see me? Jealous? You've got ten minutes. Get over here. By the time I arrived, Beryl Halls was curled up in his arms, laughing happily. The second she noticed me, her expression instantly darkened. "Who are you?" I looked at her flawless face, my breathing catching for a moment. If I were Jeffrey, I probably would've fallen for her too. The people around them quickly jumped in to explain. "She's just some broke college girl Jeffrey sponsors. Probably never seen a scene like this before and wanted to come join the fun." My throat tightened. I lifted the bag in my hand slightly. "I'm just here to bring Mr. Vance his coat." Jeffrey only glanced at me briefly, impossible to read as always. Beryl tilted her head thoughtfully, pretending to remember something. "Oh right, Jeffrey mentioned you before. Didn't you work at a bar? Like... the kind of waitress who sleeps with customers?" The room instantly exploded with laughter. "Which bar? Maybe I'll stop by sometime and support your business." For some reason, Jeffrey's face darkened at that comment. Then he lifted a hand toward me, motioning for me to come closer. Jeffrey pulled the coat from the bag and casually draped it over my shoulders, his voice unusually gentle. "It's freezing outside. Couldn't wear something warmer? What if you get sick?" That single gesture immediately changed Beryl's expression. Beryl shot up from the couch and pointed at me angrily. "Jeffrey, today is literally our engagement party. What exactly are you doing with her right now?" Jeffrey didn't even look at her. "She's just a kid. I helped her because I felt bad for her. Why are you getting so worked up over someone insignificant? It's beneath you." Then he turned to me, his tone cold and commanding. "Joyce. This is Beryl Halls, my fiancée. Since she doesn't like you, go apologize and get her another drink." I looked at Jeffrey silently for a long time before finally speaking, "Then promise me you'll let me study abroad." The moment those words left my mouth, he stared at me seriously. The entire room went still. Someone nearby let out a mocking laugh. "Wow, she really thinks she matters. Jeffrey probably can't wait for you to disappear." I ignored the ridicule, picked up a glass of wine, and walked toward Beryl. Halfway there, someone suddenly stuck out a foot and tripped me hard. I lost my balance and crashed straight to my knees. Beryl burst out laughing. "You really know how to play innocent and seduce men, huh? No wonder half the guys here started staring at you the second you walked in. If you've got your eye on someone, let me know. I can help you out. Even becoming somebody's mistress would look less pathetic than this fake little fall you just pulled." Broken glass from my wine glass scattered across the floor. A sharp pain shot through my knees instantly. I winced and instinctively looked toward Jeffrey. But he had already stood up and walked past me straight to Beryl. Jeffrey picked up a napkin and carefully wiped the drops of red wine from the back of her hand, his voice filled with indulgence. "You done playing around? Don't get mad at irrelevant people. They're not worth it."