After Rebirth She Strikes Back (Simone) novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Simone watched Lionel closely as he tried again. It was his ninth attempt, and he still hadn’t managed to snag a single plush toy. “Want me to give it

shot” she asked

Lael’s ears turned red out of frustration. Hearing Simone’s offer, he quickly inserted a token and uid. “Go ahead”

Kimone lined up the claw carefully and previed the button with confidence. The chaw grabbed the fox plush and, with a satufying drop. in landed perfectly in the prize chute. “Got it” she exclaimed. her eyes sparkling as she pulled the toy out…

“Simone you’re amazing Lionel said. His lips curved into a faint smile as be watched her excitement

Hearing Lionel suddenly call her name. Simone froze for a moment.

Whats wrong” Can’t I call your name?” Lionel asked, noticing her reaction

Simone quickly replied. “No, it’s fine.” She thought, Whatever he wants to call me is fine, as long as it helps me get on his good side

Lionel sudden use of her name caught Simone off guard. Since they’d met the only time they’d addressed each other by na

by name was when they

added each other on Wechat

Well, then I’ll call you Lionel from now won Simone said. She thought, If he is calling me by name, I can’t keep not addressing him like I don’t know his name. After all we seem like friends now.

Lionel stared at her for a moment before breaking into a laugh. “How old are you?” he asked.

“Almost eighteen.” Simone replied. She was puzzled by the sudden question.

Lionel crossed his arms and tilted his head to look at her. “So you’re seventeen.”

He continued. “I’m twenty. If you just call me by my name, doesn’t that make me sound like a kid!”

mone nodded, thinking he kind of had a point. “So, what am I supposed to call you then?” she asked.

She thought. I can’t address him Mr. or Hey man, that sounds inappropriate. Simone racked her brain but couldn’t come up with a suitable

nickname

Lionel didn’t have any b

better ideas either. He said, “Forget it; justi

call me

me by my name.

Simone nodded in agreement.

Afterward, they played a few other arcade games. Lionel soon discovered that Simone had an extraordinary talent for gaming.

While playing. Simone’s fate no longer carried the unreadable emotions from before. Instead, it was filled with focus. At moments like these, the finally seemed like a regular teruger

Glancing at the dark sky, Lionel aid with concern, “It’s getting late. Let me walk

Simone checked the tiene and decided not to refuse.

you homic It’s not safe out here at night”

The walk from downtown to Serenity Estates was only ten minutes, so they skipped calling a cab and walked back.

Sogin’s day–to–night temperature swings were extreme, and by now, the night had dropped to teens. Simone, still in her strappy dress, felt the cold biting at her exposed skin, turning it red she couldn’t help but shiver

Taonel finally noticed her trembling and immediately shrugged off his jacket, draping it over her shoulders

The icy chill vanished, replaced by Lionel’s lingering warmth. Simone looked up at Lionel, who was now wearing just a black short–sleeved shirt.

She pulled the jacket tighter around herself and asked, “Aren’t you cold”

“Thair 10’s nothing” Lionel replied casually. The cold didn’t bother him, he could even handle a cold shower without flinching

bey reached the entrance to the Serenity hiba, Lionel was once again struck by the stark gap between him and Simone

He waited until Simone had fully marred before leaving. He was afraid that if he lingered, the sense of indenurity in his heart would take root and

Simone realized that she had forgotten to return Louel’s jacket as she went upstairs to change. She glanced down from the balcony, but Lionel was

Chapter 10

already gone.

She thought, “Well, I just gave it back next time. Maybe it’s not such a bad thing. It’s a good excuse to see him again

(night, Simone washed Lionel’s jacket and hung it on her balcony. After finishing, she felt a sense of relief and finally drifted off to sleep

Meanwhile, chaos unfolded at Phantom Beats. The two thugs who had fought with Simone, along with their boss, were dragged to an abandoned factory by a group of men. When they returned, they were barely hanging onL

The manager did all this after getting approval from Cyrus, but Sinone remained completely in the dark.

The next morning, just as Simone reached the classroom door. Stella and Raymond blocked her way.

“Sinsone, can you step outside with us for a moment?” Stella asked casiously as she stole a glance at the people lingering outside the classroom.

Seeing the two, Simane thought, What a lousy way to start the day! She refused, “Nope, I need to catch up on sleep. Without sparing them a glance, the walked straight into the classroom.

Raymond said, “That brat’s getting out of hand. I’m going to teach her a lesson” He had been annoyed with Simone for ages. Simone’s indifferent attitude now, angered him, and he prepared to storm into her classroom.

Stella quickly grabbed Raymond’s arm, worried he’d mess things up by making Simone even angrier. She said, “Let it go, Raymond. Simone probably just doesn’t want to see us.”

Simone enjoyed a peaceful morning and thought she was finally free of Stella and Raymond for the day. But after lunch, Stella showed up at the class again, this time alone.

“We need to talk.” Stella said as she walked up to Simone’s desk. Most of the students hadn’t returned to the classroom yet, leaving many seats empty. Stella casually sat down in the seat across from Simone.

Stella wasn’t putting on her usual act today, probably because Raymond wasn’t around. Her tone had lost its fake sweetness, and pretending to be fragile anymore.