Reborn in the Enemy's Embrace Chapter 411

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Black." Right as Sophia prepared to lead Xan out of the cafeteria, they encountered Zachary, fresh from his basketball game.

Though Zachary, Ashton, and Timothy were tight-knit best friends, Ashton had solely introduced Zachary to Sophia and Dexter. The clear reason lay in Timothy's striking resemblance to Damien, plus their family ties.

"Heading home already, Xan?" Zachary stared at Xan in bewilderment. "What about your afternoon classes?"

Tears rimmed her eyes as she sniffled, "My mom... is taking me home."

Confused, Zachary shot a look at the nearby Timothy. "Something wrong?"

"Xan isn’t feeling well, so I’m taking her back," Sophia clarified.

Zachary nodded at once and responded, "Okay, Mrs. Black."

While Sophia pulled Xan along toward the exit, Xan turned back for one last glance at Timothy.

Sophia sensed her world crumbling. Tangling with a scoundrel felt far worse than exposure by the lab's operatives.

One of Xan’s two biggest crises had struck fiercely.

"That’s odd." Timothy approached Zachary with a puzzled expression. "Ashton’s parents clearly don’t favor me."

Zachary gave him a sidelong glance. "Maybe it’s your bad-boy vibe."

Timothy shot him a flat look and deadpanned, "Yeah, right. Like you scream good guy." "Well, Ashton mentioned I resemble a decent fellow more than you do. That’s why he showed me to Mr. and Mrs. Black," Zachary boasted.

Irritation flared in Timothy. Ashton always welcomed Zachary to his home but never him, stirring Timothy’s envy.

With a soft huff, he whipped out his phone and messaged Ashton: "Your parents showed up at uni and whisked Xan away. Why do Mr. and Mrs. Black act like they hate me?"

Ashton fired back instantly with Damien’s ID photo.

Timothy: "Why’d you send my uncle’s picture?"

Ashton: "You two look identical, don’t you?"

Timothy: "Yeah. Mom even says I take after Uncle Damien heaps."

Ashton: "Damien betrayed my mom back in his youth."

Timothy went silent. A cold shiver raced down his spine right then.

He typed back swiftly, "Thanks for saving my life."

Timothy felt grateful to Ashton for skipping those home invites. Ashton had been shielding him all along.

Ashton messaged, "No worries. Watch over my folks and sis for me while I’m gone."

Timothy cast a horrified glance at Zachary. "No surprise Mrs. Black gave me the creeps."

Zachary elbowed him. "By the way, Xan clings to you a ton lately. With Ashton away, she sticks by you. Won’t even join me for basketball."

Timothy rolled his eyes. "Xan’s pure and straightforward, so quit overthinking."

Zachary squinted suspiciously. "You into Xan?"

Timothy’s ears flushed red. "Cut the crap! If Mrs. Black hears, she’ll snap my legs. Dad says Uncle dreads her most—she can wrestle a feral wolf barehanded."

Zachary gulped hard, then tugged Timothy aside.

"Timothy!" A stunning young lady dashed up just then. "I like you. Wanna date?"

She thrust a love letter into Timothy’s hands.

"Whoa, lucky you, bro. Campus belle alert!" Zachary exclaimed.

The gorgeous girl was Kiara Wembley, Huma University’s campus belle. Blessed with breathtaking beauty, an ideal physique, and elite lineage, she appeared flawless.

Many believed Kiara and Timothy formed an ideal pair, hailing from parallel elite circles.

Backed by Coleman Group, Timothy enjoyed high standing in Huma. Kiara’s clan thrived in business too.

Such a royal duo was destined for harmony.

Kiara had never openly declared her feelings to Timothy until now. Today, she summoned the guts.

Clutching her love letter, she awaited his acceptance tensely. Onlookers had already clustered, eager for his response.

Kiara peeked at Timothy fretfully, fearing public humiliation.

"Take it quick, Timothy! Don’t leave Kiara hanging with all eyes on her!" urged her close pals.

The spectators chimed in too.

Dragged out by Sophia, Xan noticed her missing tote bag only at the cafeteria doorway. She broke free from Sophia and Dexter, dashing back alone.

Truth be told, she yearned to apologize to Timothy for Sophia’s jerk remark. Yet upon arriving at the entrance, she witnessed Kiara’s confession amid a throng around him.

Xan’s fingers tightened nervously as she peeked at Timothy discreetly. Did he reciprocate Kiara’s feelings?

Campus buzz held that Timothy and Kiara were perfect together. Xan conceded the point.

Still, she wished they wouldn’t pair up. Dating Kiara would leave no time for Xan.

Besides, trio meals would turn awkward. Xan had zero desire to dine with Kiara.

"I’m sorry, I can’t take your love letter. I’ve said before I’m not into you and not seeking romance," Timothy turned her down firmly. No mind games or false promises for him.

Tears welled in Kiara’s eyes as she pleaded softly, "You... Just hold the letter for now, Timothy. No need for an instant reply."

At minimum, a private word would’ve spared her this public shame.

Timothy’s brow furrowed. "Sorry, I won’t."

"Too harsh, Timothy! Kiara braved a confession. How dare you shame her publicly? She’s a lady with pride!" her friends lashed out.

Bystanders gossiped and jabbed fingers while Kiara sobbed in her friends’ embrace.

Timothy countered, "She’s the one who chose to hand her love letter to me in front of everyone else, so I have the

right to reject her publicly. If she truly cared for her pride and dignity, she should’ve told me in private. That way, I could’ve rejected her away from prying eyes."

Stunned by Timothy’s words, Kiara realized he spared no mercy. "Our families go way back, Timothy. Dads are buddies, clans endorse us. Do you... like someone else? That Xandra Milford girl?" Someone piped up, "Huh? The dimwit? Isn’t she ill? Acts all weird."

Another added, "Yep! Hair hides her face always. Seen it? Ghostly! Dresses drab too. Family’s broke, I hear."

A third nodded, "No match at all."

Gossip swirled about Xan. She shrank behind the door, head down, hair veiling her face.

"She’s there!" Kiara’s pals spotted Xan and jabbed fingers her way.

The mob surged, gawking. "Her? No way. Timothy’s taste can’t be that." "Dimwit through and through. Only noticed ‘cause she’s Ashton’s sis."