CHAPTER 88: WILL YOU BE MY GIRLFRIEND

Ever since that day she ran into Dyson on campus, Beauty kept bumping into him at the library.

What puzzled her was how this dashing young man, who was already doing an internship off-campus, still managed to attend classes so frequently.

Before long, the two became familiar with each other.

Every time she saw him, he was dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers, exuding the polished air of a corporate executive.

Compared to the other boys on campus—still decked out in garish pants while trying to flirt—he stood out effortlessly.

Among his peers, Dyson carried an air of maturity beyond his years—not in appearance, but in demeanor.

"Aren’t you already working?

How do you still have time to study at the library?"

Beauty looked up from the romance novel she was engrossed in, her lips curling into a smile as her eyes met Dyson’s fair, clean-cut face.

"I’m preparing for grad school entrance exams," he replied.

"I don’t go to the office much these days, so I spend most of my time studying here.

Mind saving me a seat from now on?

I notice you’re here almost every day."

As he spoke, he set a cup of milk tea in front of her before settling into the chair opposite with a thick textbook.

Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a glow that allowed Beauty to see the faintest down on his face with startling clarity.

Who knew a guy’s skin could be even smoother than a girl’s skin?

His round, doe-like eyes seemed to peer straight into her soul, making her cheeks warm involuntarily.

It was as if a seed buried deep in her heart had begun to unfurl under the sunlight, awakening to the first whispers of spring.

If her previous life had been shrouded in dark clouds, the appearance of this man before her now was like a ray of warm sunlight piercing through her world.

Somewhere deep in her heart, a seed had taken root and begun to sprout.

Sometimes, love arrives just like that—unexpected and unstoppable.

Especially the emotions of youth, which take root and blossom in the haze of inexperience.

Apart from attending classes, Beauty spent nearly all her time in the school library.

Hannah had dragged her into joining the school’s art club, but she had only gone a handful of times.

Occasionally, she would run into Dyson in the library.

She always bought two cups of milk tea and set them on the table, though most of the time, she ended up drinking alone.

Recently, Hannah had become infatuated with the captain of the basketball team, rushing to the court after every class to cheer him on.

She barely had any time left to stay in the library with Beauty.

Just as Beauty was about to leave, she stood up and caught sight of a familiar figure walking in.

He was practically a campus celebrity—the student council president, who had been admitted to this elite school in paris through early admission during his senior year.

With his mature, sunny demeanor, he had been voted school heartthrob three years in a row.

Wherever he went, the excited screams of girls were never far behind.

"Why are you so late today?"

Beauty pressed her lips together in a gentle smile, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"Something came up today.

How about going to a concert together tonight?

I managed to get these tickets—hope you’ll like it."

Beauty’s cheeks flushed slightly as a faint smile played on her lips.

She was about to agree when she suddenly remembered—hadn’t Lucas mentioned just the other day that he’d be home for dinner tonight?

She wasn’t sure if he’d actually show up...

Though she had far more freedom now—no more drivers or bodyguards shadowing her every move, no more warnings for people to stay away—she still felt as if a pair of hawk-like eyes were burning into her back, sending an uneasy shiver down her spine.

"It’s fine if you’re not into it.

I can give the tickets to someone else.

I’ll go wherever you want," Dyson said, noticing her smile fading.

He assumed she wasn’t interested in the concert.

With a tender expression, he reached out and ruffled her hair.

A jolt of electricity shot through her, and Beauty’s face instantly turned as red as a ripe tomato.

She bit her lip, hesitating for a brief moment before murmuring, "No, it’s fine.

I do like it.

Whatever you enjoy, I enjoy it too.

Just... wait for me at the back gate tonight.

I might be a little late."

Though a flicker of curiosity crossed his mind, he didn’t press further.

After all, for him, just being able to go on a date with the girl he liked was more than enough.

His slender fingers gently tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, sunlight dancing in his eyes.

Standing face to face, their reflections mirrored each other’s gaze, a sweet, fluttery feeling—like the first blush of love—warmed their hearts.

"Well, well! If it isn’t my dear sister-in-law?

No wonder I haven’t seen you around lately!

Turns out you’ve been sneaking around in the library with someone—and the school heartthrob, no less!

Tsk, tsk... Beauty, Samuel just dumped you, and here you are, already latching onto another guy.

How shameless can you get?"

Beauty and Dyson both turned toward the voice.

There, walking in side by side with Samuel, stood Laura.

Especially Dyson, who turned to Beauty with a look of shock, his face momentarily froze in disbelief.

"Senior Dyson!

She’s nothing but a used-up tramp, passed around by who knows how many men, you know that?

She’s just some stray my brother took in, and now she’s crawled into his bed trying to become my sister-in-law.

Who does she think she is?

Someone like my brother would never marry a woman with such a shady background!

He’s just having fun with her—don’t let that innocent act fool you!"

Laura’s voice was so loud that it cut through the library’s usual silence, drawing the attention of everyone present.

Even the librarian shot her a disdainful glance, as if already convinced of the truth in her words.

Beauty’s flushed face instantly drained color.

Clenching her jaw, she stepped forward and spoke with deliberate precision: "Words have consequences, Laura.

Do you really think you can just spew whatever filth you want and pin it all on me?

Yes, I was adopted by your family—but I’m not the disgusting person you make me out to be.

And mark my words, one day I *will* leave the Marson household."

"Leave?"

Laura sneered.

"You think walking away will free you?

Do you honestly believe my brother would let you go?

After you’ve humiliated him like this, do you think he’ll just forgive you—or Senior Dyson here?

You know better than anyone what he’s capable of."

The words struck Beauty like a bolt of lightning.

Her small fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Her almond-shaped eyes blazed as she glared at Laura.

"Whatever issues I have with your brother are between *us*.

Leave Dyson out of this.

If you’ve got a problem, take it up with *me*."

A smattering of applause broke out. Laura let her arms drop with a cold laugh.

"How touching.

Save that speech for my brother—see if *he* cares about keeping others out of it."

Dyson stood there, utterly bewildered.

Though he usually paid little attention to campus gossip, the relationship between Laura and Lucas was common knowledge.

Even if he tried to avoid it, the whispers always found their way to his ears.