Chapter 8

After Julian left, I remained standing in the same spot, without moving a muscle.

Sunlight slanted in through the window.

I stood in the light, let out a slow breath, and took my phone out of my bag.

Only then did I see that Leo’s name was trending.

“Leo Archer’s Girlfriend”

“According to an insider, after last night’s regional finals, ‘Leo Archer’ was seen privately meeting his girlfriend in the parking lot. The two were behaving intimately…”

The gossip account that broke the story also posted a photo.

In a dimly lit parking lot, a fine rain was falling.

Leo stood by an open car door, one hand resting on the frame. His expression was cold, his gaze piercingly sharp.

The car’s interior was completely hidden from view.

Only the soft corner of a blue skirt and the logo on a high heel were visible.

The comments section absolutely exploded.

“If I remember correctly, isn’t The God only nineteen? He’s already in a relationship??”

“He’s nineteen, he’s an adult. What’s wrong with dating? It didn’t affect his performance in the match.”

“Hold on, am I the only one who cares who his girlfriend is? I looked up that high heel brand–they’re incredibly expensive, tens of thousands a pair, and hers is a limited edition.”

“You think he’s being kept by some sugar mama?”

Someone from the club called soon after.

“Boss, reporters are already asking about this. Should we do some PR?”

“Mm.”

Pressing the cut on my cheek, I answered calmly,

“Deny everything about Leo Archer’s alleged relationship.”

However, before the press conference could even be officially announced, he was spotted at a coffee shop near the club.

In the video, Leo sat stone-faced in front of a slice of strawberry cake.

The displeasure in his eyes was impossible to miss.

Someone bravely went up to ask, “Leo, are you in a bad mood?”

His gaze swept over to them as he answered,

“Yeah.”

“Had a fight with my girlfriend.”

The clip shot to the top of the trending list.

His call came when I was standing at the gates of the Sterling Family’s old residence.

“Victoria Sterling,”

He said, “So you really were just going to sleep with me and leave, weren’t you?”