Chapter 989

"I'm fine." Vivian Dempsey waved her hand, her cheeks still flushed with lingering embarrassment. She had only pretended to faint to diffuse the awkward tension earlier, never expecting Evelyn Carter to take it so seriously.

A decade had passed in the blink of an eye. The carefree teenagers who once laughed and played in these classrooms had grown into adults—some chasing careers, others finding joy in the simple routines of parenthood.

Though reluctant to leave their alma mater, the returning alumni respectfully avoided interrupting ongoing classes. They exchanged distant greetings outside the classrooms before dispersing in small groups, each retracing memories in familiar corners.

Victor Laurent stubbornly insisted on visiting the newly renovated sports field, leaning heavily on his crutches. Unable to dissuade him, Vivian reluctantly supported his slow progress while Jasmine Valentine followed behind.

Under the shade of a café umbrella, Evelyn stirred the ice cubes in her drink. Across from her, Alexander Hamilton held a pearl milk tea—a beverage he'd normally never touch. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling his sharply defined profile.

"Mind if I join you?" A young man in black-framed glasses stood politely by their table.

Alexander's brow furrowed briefly before smoothing. After all, this was Evelyn's classmate—he couldn't be too obvious.

"Simon Evans?" Evelyn blinked in surprise. "Long time no see."

Simon adjusted his glasses, gaze flickering between them. "Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to ask Evelyn something."

His quiet voice carried unmistakable resolve: "Are Vivian and Victor together now?"

Alexander's eyebrow arched at the blunt question. This Simon Evans spoke and acted with refreshing directness—a promising trait.

Evelyn tilted her head. "Why the sudden interest?"

"Because," Simon inhaled deeply, "I want to pursue Vivian."

Evelyn nearly choked on her tea. Her gaze drifted toward the field where Vivian chatted animatedly with Jasmine, while Victor sat apart, fiddling with his crutches like an outsider.

"This is a reunion, not a matchmaking event," Evelyn sighed. What was with everyone suddenly eyeing old classmates today?

Alexander remained unfazed. The reunion horror stories Vincent Wilson had shared with him were ten times more dramatic than anything online. Compared to those, courting a single alumna seemed perfectly normal.

Simon followed their line of sight, lips quirking upward. "Just as I thought—some things never change."

Evelyn couldn't argue. The evidence was plain before them.

"In high school," Simon recalled, "Vivian and Victor were inseparable until Simon Stapleton appeared—"

Hearing that name, Evelyn and Alexander simultaneously frowned. These days, Vivian only referred to that person as "Third Place," refusing to even speak his name.

Disgust flashed in Simon's eyes. "During one monthly exam, Vivian was the only one who solved the final math problem. I wanted to ask for her help, but Simon Stapleton stopped me, claiming I'd distract her."

A bitter laugh escaped him. "I actually believed him—he ranked third while I was thirteenth. Only when he cheated his way into that early admission spot did I understand."

Evelyn nodded faintly. She recognized that helplessness.

"After results came out, I considered comforting Vivian," Simon's voice dropped, "but feared she'd think I was gloating. I'd overperformed on that test, after all."

Evelyn studied him thoughtfully. "You attended a top university, didn't you? Working in securities now?"

Her subtext was clear: With credentials like yours, why fixate on an old classmate?

Simon understood her hesitation. "The truth is, Vivian and I shared more moments than anyone realized."