Every single one of them had a thing for Julia. Fine. She'd just take them down one by one.
The two women headed to the lake to clear their heads.
The water stretched out like an ocean—so wide you couldn't see the other side.
It had been a while since either of them had a moment this quiet.
When they got to the boat, Yelena noticed, "Feels like there's barely anyone here. Don't tell me it's just the two of us?"
The boat wasn't small.
Just the two of them? That made them restless.
But quickly, they wished it were just the two of them.
Because the people they didn't want to see? Showed up.
And not just Julia. Gilbert, Heather, Cathy, and the others—basically every annoying person they knew, all in one place.
"Ms. Campbell! You're here too?"
Julia took a quick step back.
"I was just walking a little faster—didn't mean to end up next to Gilbert. Please don't get the wrong idea."
She ducked her head, positioning herself behind him like some meek little thing.
George—once the golden boy who stood out—had been reduced to Julia's lapdog. The kind of guy who used to be a lead, now just background noise in someone else's story.
Sherry barely even noticed him at first. But the way he glared at her? Still the same.
"Sherry! When are you gonna drop it? So they walked side by side—what's the big deal? What, you need Julia to walk three steps behind him? You think you're better than her or something?"
Sherry looked at him like he was brain-damaged. "Did I say anything?"
"You didn't have to. Julia felt your nasty attitude. That's why she's making herself small! You're toxic!"
Julia tugged at George's sleeve. "It's fine. As long as no one makes a scene, I can take a little discomfort."
Yelena pinched her nose and waved the air. "Ugh, do you smell that? It reeks of fake innocence. Listen to her—'poor me, I'll take anything.' You really think we care about your little act?
"One is practically her ex, and the other's just a homewrecker. Who'd wanna bother with a bunch of losers like you? Let's go enjoy our meal before their desperate acting ruins our appetite!"
"Who are you two idiots talking about?"
George stepped up.
Right on cue, a waiter came to serve the food—plain noodles.
At a high-end place like this, he specially ordered her plain noodles.
No oil. No flavor. Just... noodles.
Come on. Even if someone liked healthy food, no one ordered this at a nice restaurant. And when Sherry was a kid? Meat was her favorite.
But Gilbert looked so sure. Like he genuinely believed this was what she wanted.
Even Julia hesitated for a second. The look in his eyes wasn't fake.
If it was real? Then Sherry really was cheap. And cheap things deserved cheap food.
"Are you missing some brain cells?" Sherry put down her fork and looked at him. "You seriously think I like this stuff?"
Usually, when she looked at him, her eyes were full of love.
Now? She looked at him like he might actually be developmentally delayed.
Gilbert slammed his hand on the table. "Sherry, what do you want from me? I ordered what you like, and you're still picking a fight? What more could you possibly want?"

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