Aiden and the others searched from the outpatient building all the way to the inpatient wing of the hospital, running through every ward, but Josie was nowhere to be found.

“Aiden, are we still looking?” Natalie was gasping for air, sweat threatening to smear her makeup. She bent over with her hands on her knees, ncing up at Aiden with a delicate, worn-out look.

(28)

Seeing her flushed, pretty face, Aiden suddenly felt a pang of guilt. He replied, “No more. Sit down and take a break, I’ll get you some coffee.”

Natalie’s look reminded him of Josie back when she first joined the team.

Back then, Josie was a sophomore then, fresh from a small-town college, far behind others in professional knowledge.

At first, Aiden hadn’t even considered her for the team. But Josie had this stubborn streak, a kind of resilience that refused to give up, and she worked harder than anyone else.

Besides, Josie was obedient and sweet, always following instructions to the letter. Give her a task once, and she’d get it done perfectly. She never needed him to worry.

That’s why Aiden had been willing to look after her more, to give her extra care, treating her like a little sister.

Aiden had thought that kind of rtionship wouldst, butter he realized Josie had feelings for him. A girl from the countryside daring to like him-howughable.

That was when Natalie showed up. Unlike Josie, Natalie came from a background that matched his. She was the campus beauty, and her grades were just as impressive.

Most importantly, Natalie was considerate, charming, and knew how to make people happy. Compared to Josie, who was always so serious and clueless about these things, Natalie was miles ahead.

Aiden never thought of making Natalie his girlfriend, but he was more than happy to use her presence to make Josie back off.

Then Aiden started giving Natalie more attention. But soon, Josie couldn’t take it and went so far as to use him of things. Well, if she wanted to y dirty, he couldn’t be med for being heartless. After all, Natalie was dragged into this and she was innocent.

Honestly, even after all that, Aiden hadn’t nned to do anything more to Josie. Even when she embarrassed him by winning that medal, he was willing to let it slide, for old times’ sake.

As long as Josie kept being that obedient little girl following him around, Aiden could still protect her like a sister.

But this time, Josie really crossed the line. Using quitting the team as leverage, ignoring his calls-if that’s how she wanted it, she had no one to me but herself.

Aiden called the rest of the group back and handed out the coffee he bought. He said, “No need to look anymore. If she wants to quit, let her.”

Aiden thought, ‘Let’s see where she’ll go after leaving Professor Lawson’s team.

‘Does she think she can really join Professor Wilcourt’s group? In such a niche field, she won’t even find a job after graduating. Is she nning to starve herself?”

Vincent looked a little upset. “Aiden, are you really not going to talk to Josie one more time?”

“You wanna ask her, go ahead and ask yourself.” Aiden had lost all patience and turned to leave for campus.

19:27 Mon, 25 Aug A A

Gavin patted Vincent’s shoulder. “We can’t find her, so what’s the point? If you’re that worried, there’s Professor Lawson’s ss tomorrow. Just ask her then.”

11

“Exactly,” Jaden said, slinging an arm around Vincent’s neck. “She left the group chat and won’t talk to us. Even if we want to coax her, we can’t.

“Tomorrow, I’ming with you. Let’s find her together. I swear, I’m gonna give that girl a good scolding. She’s got guts now, huh? ying hide and seek with us? She’s driving me nuts.”

Natalie sipped her coffee, looking thoughtful. Josie’s definitely still in the hospital, so why can’t we find her?

B

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19:27 Mon, 25 Aug A AM