The four of them looked at each other.
Leon's eyes dimmed as his gaze swept over the two figures who were so close. His expression soon darkened.
Caroline immediately stepped back, raising her hands as if to show her innocence. She remained silent the whole time.
Her gut was telling her that a fight would be coming soon.
If that happened, it was best to stay away from them.
From the corner of his eye, Tim saw that Caroline was already retreating.
'This woman is indeed very cunning. She's already planning to escape.
But it's okay. She doesn't matter anymore. In fact, I should even thank her. If we hadn't quarreled and pushed each other, Michelle wouldn't have ended up in my arms.'
Indeed, this was the first time that Tim had gotten this close to Michelle since they met.
He couldn't help but feel a little greedy. He didn't want to ever let go of this girl in his arms.
He tightened his arms around her as he stared straight at Leon challengingly.
"Leon!" Michelle sounded happy to see Leon. She tried to push Tim away so that she could reach out to him, but Tim wouldn't let go. In the end, she fell back into his arms again.
The dark expression on Leon's face disappeared as soon as he watched her struggle in Tim's arms. He strode over to them and easily pulled them apart. Without warning, he bent over and picked her up.
Michelle squealed as soon as she found herself swept up from her feet. Her arms quickly wrapped themselves around Leon's neck.
Her heart was pounding so fast against her chest.
"Leon..."
This was the first time that he had hugged her publicly in front of others.
It was such an intimate gesture that she couldn't help but feel a little shy.
She blushed as she glanced quickly at Tim and Caroline.
Leon smiled as he took note of her reddening face. He said, "This isn't the first time I've hugged you. So what's with the blush?"
"Leon! Cut it out!"
Michelle glared at him.
"Michelle has always been shy around others." Laughter burst out from Leon's mouth as he looked back at Tim. He tried to remain polite as he did so.
"Thank you for helping her just now."
Apparently, Tim's efforts were all in vain.
"No problem at all," Tim said, keeping a neutral expression on his face.
"Thank you very much." Leon smiled. "We are very grateful to Tim, right? So why don't you go ahead and thank him for you helping you, Michelle?"
Tucked around his arms, Michelle obediently nodded her head. She grinned and said, "Thank you very much!"
"Thank you," Leon said again.
Upon uttering those two words, it was as if a tumultuous river gushed forth between them, widening the gap that separated Tim from the two.
He didn't want their gratitude. He even hated how polite Michelle was behaving towards him. It was as if she only saw him as an outsider.
It didn't help that Leon was thanking him as well. It felt like the other man was really rubbing it into his face that they were a couple.
"I'll gladly accept her thanks, but there's no need for you to thank me, Leon," Tim said coldly. "I helped her after all. Not you."
"What's the difference?" Leon asked with a smile.
Tim answered, "You're obviously not her, so it has nothing to do with you."
"Is that so?" The smile on Leon's face widened. There was a sly glint in his eyes as he leaned closer to Michelle. "What do you think about that, Michelle? Do we have nothing to do with each other?"
The two men were trying to be subtle with their minor competition, but she was no fool. Just by listening to them, she could already sense their hostility towards each other.
She didn't realized that Tim had feelings for her. She just thought that the two were having problems with each other. Leon had told her to stay away from Tim.
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