Hands Off The Ice King novel Chapter 136

Chapter 136

Chapter 136

Levi’s POV

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I could tell who they were even before they introduced themselves. This must be the group that used to belittle/Hope. They squeezed themselves into our table even though no one had invited them or agreed to let them join us.

Jerome even had the nerve to sit beside Hope.

I clicked my tongue. I should have taken the seat between them, but Hope had been holding me back earlier.

Right now, our seating arrangement looked like this:

Me Hope – Jerome – Carmen

Harley – A guy – A girl – Another girl

I couldn’t be bothered to know their names, but their scents alone were already making my nose hurt.

“Harley,” the guy said, nudging him with an overly familiar grin. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. You’re playing with Oakridge now?”

“Really?” Carmen exclaimed, her eyes widening. “I heard the tuition there is expensive. How did you manage to enroll?”

I subtly shook my head.

Harley was right about this woman’s personality.

“Well, I got in with a scholarship,” Harley deadpanned without missing & beat. “Not a lot of people can do that. Jerome and Logan weren’t even able to qualify. I’m the first one from our high school to get in like that.”

I smirked.

Harley wasn’t someone who let people walk all over him. He always knew exactly where to hit.

The five of them immediately fell silent, their smug expressions cracking.

The awkward silence only broke when the food finally arrived.

Hope placed all her favorites in front of me, while I turned to look at her.

She looked uncomfortable now that they were here. The smile she’d worn earlier had long since disappeared.

She looked at me apologetically, but I simply shook my head.

None of this was her fault.

With that, I started portioning the food onto her plate so she could eat. Food always made her feel a little better anyway.

However, that small gesture was enough to catch everyone’s attention.

Just like that, they noticed my presence for the first time.

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I guess Harley’s hoodie really was magical. They had been so busy inserting themselves into our conversation that they hadn’t even realized another person was sitting at the table.

“Oh, who’s this?” one of the girls asked, blinking at me. “I didn’t even notice you. You blended in with the black curtains.”

12:24 Thu, Jul 23 )

Chapter 136

I pursed my lips and turned to Hope, silently asking if I should answer.

I saw the hesitation in her eyes. Then she gave me a small nod.

“I’m Hope’s boyfriend. The name’s Lee.” I said, remembering that it was Harley’s nickname too.

Harley nearly choked on his food.

The others looked just as shocked.

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I slightly turned toward Jerome and didn’t miss the disappointment that flashed across his face before he tried to hide it.

That’s right, bastard.

I’m her boyfriend.

Hope is mine.

“You actually have a boyfriend?” Carmen exclaimed. “You said you were single.”

Hope sighed, looking tired already.

“I never said I was single. I just broke up with my previous boyfriend.”

“Oh.” Carmen muttered.

Even then. I could still feel all of their eyes lingering on me.

I pulled the hood a little lower.

“Then let’s introduce ourselves.”

“I’m Carmen.”

“Jerome,” he said coldly.

The others introduced themselves as Logan, Courtney, and Mary.

Their scrutinizing stares never stopped, trying to size me up.

“So, what do you do for a living?” Logan asked. “You look like you have a good build under that hoodie.”

“Nothing at the moment,” I answered honestly.

Mary let out a laugh, covering her mouth with exaggerated politeness.

“Sorry, sorry. There’s nothing wrong with being unemployed, of course.” She smiled sweetly, though the mockery in her voice was impossible to miss. “You are dating an unemployed woman, after all.”

“Hope’s not unemployed.” I said evenly. “She works at the center.”

“Right Courtney chuckled, exchanging a look with Mary as though they’d just shared some private joke. “So… is she supporting you?”

“She’s been supporting me ever since,” I answered honestly again.

She had supported me from the very beginning just with her presence. Without Hope, I wouldn’t have had the strength to overcome my complexities

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12:24 Thu, Jul 23

Chapter 136

Harley looked at me before slowly shaking his head, amused by how literally I had answered the question.

Meanwhile, Hope quietly squeezed my hand under the table.

She leaned closer to me and whispered, “Don’t mind them. They’re shallow.”

I gave her the smallest nod. I already knew that even before she said it explicitly.

I could tell they had already decided who I was based on a few answers and the clothes I was wearing.

To people like them. appearances were everything.

“Why aren’t you showing your face?” Carmen asked this time.

“I just don’t want to,” I replied, shutting the question down.

Mary giggled again.

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“I have insecurities too, but not to this extent. We won’t judge, though.” She smiled innocently. “We understand. Sometimes, your insecurities are just too much to handle, so you just hide them.”

They were already judging me. She just didn’t have the decency to admit it.

Just then, Logan cleared his throat.

“Our reunion is coming soon. You should go with Hope.”

Hope quickly shook her head.

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