Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 278

“No, thank you,” Stephanie said coolly. “My ride will be here soon.”

A sudden gust of wind whipped through the street, carrying a dark cloud with it and making the rain fall even harder.

On instinct, Quennel reached out and grabbed Stephanie’s wrist, pulling her further back under the awning to shield her from the downpour.

Stephanie frowned and immediately pulled her hand back.

Beside them, Vivian’s expression darkened. She was his girlfriend, yet here she was getting wet while Quennel didn’t seem to notice or care.

“There was an accident up the road. No cars are getting through here. What ride did you call?” Quennel called her bluff without hesitation.

“You won’t even get in my car. Stephanie, are you still not over me?”

Stephanie knew he was trying to provoke her, but she chose to remain impassive.

Vivian’s heart was filled with resentment. Forcing herself to play along, she added, “It’s just a ride, Stephanie. Can you stop being so dramatic? Let’s just go. It’s getting late, and you’re holding everyone up.”

Stephanie didn’t say a word. She simply turned and walked to the other side of the entrance, making it clear she wanted nothing more to do with them.

Quennel’s face hardened. In front of Stephanie, he suddenly wrapped an arm around Vivian’s shoulder. “If she doesn’t appreciate the offer, then let’s go.”

Vivian was overcome with a thrill, wanting nothing more than to melt into his embrace.

Her eyes darted around. “Quennel, why don’t you wait for me in the car? I think I left something upstairs. I’ll just go grab it.”

“Alright.” As he watched Vivian leave, Quennel made no move to get into the car.

Under the awning, only Quennel and Stephanie remained.

Stephanie frowned, sensing from the corner of her eye that Quennel was getting closer.

She took a small step to the side.

As he watched her walk away, his gaze was complicated. “Don’t get too lost in your role with Jonathan.”

Even now, Quennel still believed that Stephanie and Jonathan were just putting on an act.

One was his arch-nemesis, the other was the woman he loved. It only made sense that they would get together out of revenge.

But it was all a facade. Their relationship was built on mutual interest, not genuine emotion.

Stephanie turned back and gave Quennel a long, hard look. “Quennel, to this day, you’re still looking for fault in others. In your mind, you’re never the one who’s wrong.”

With that, Stephanie turned and walked away without a second glance.

At that moment, a fierce wind howled through the street. Vivian, standing by the window upstairs, watched with a cold smile on her lips.

Seeing Stephanie step out from under the awning, she didn’t hesitate to push the several pots of succulents from the windowsill.