Chapter 16 Shadows of Rivalry: Tessa''s Unyielding Resolve


    Chapter 16 Shadows of Rivalry: Tessa''s Unyielding Resolve


    That feeling again.


    s


    Just like the first time their eyes met, Tessa found herself captivated by Landon''s deep, prating gaze. It was as if the rest of the world had disappeared, leaving only him.


    Her usually steady heartbeat raced uncontrobly,


    They were so close that she could catch the faint,forting scent of pinewood from him. It was intoxicating. A strange, unfamiliar desire to step even closer stirred within her.


    For all her capabilities, Tessa was aplete novice when it came to matters of the heart. Realizing how out of sorts she felt, she quickly averted her eyes and took a step back to create some distance.


    Landon noticed her sudden retreat and immediately spoke to diffuse her difort. “You don''t have to overthink it. I didn''t mean anything by it."


    Though it wasn''t entirely true. Landon did feel something for her, but Tessa was young, and he had no intention of scaring her.


    "I didn''t overthink anything." Tessa replied tersely, trying to push down the unfamiliar emotions bubbling up inside her. She turned abruptly and went inside, closing the door firmly behind her.


    The moment the door shut, Flex''s voice. echoed in Landon''s mind through their Mind Link.


    "You upset her! She''s definitely mad because you made her ufortable!"


    "No," Landon responded calmly, "She''s just shy."


    Recalling her flustered, almost annoyed expression, Landon couldn''t help but smile.


    Since meeting Tessa, her demeanor had been mostly inclifferent, cool, and detached. But tonight, he''d seen a glimpse of something new-something youthful and endearing, and it stirred something in him.


    Tessa, meanwhile, took a shower andy down. She had nned to y games for a while but fell asleep almost immediately, the events of the day having drained her energy.


    The next morning. York dropped Queenie off at school


    Last night had been Queenie''s first time, and while she was inexperienced, she believed that''s what ment liked-innocent girls.


    "Yorkie, about tonight..." Queenie hinted shyly, hoping to keep him interested. She wanted to use their newfound intimacy to secure her ce in his heart.


    York patted her cheek dismissively. "Be good. I have ns tonight. I''lle find you when I''m done." "Yorkie, are you not satisfied with me?" she asked, her insecurities surfacing.


    "How could I not be? You were perfect," he replied smoothly


    "Really? Then don''t forget toe find meter." Queenie clung to him, willing to do anything to keep his


    *16:55 Wed, Apr 16 G


    Chapter 16 Shadows of Rivalry: Tessa''s Uny elding Resolve


    s


    attention.


    After dropping Queenie off, York didn''t leave immediately. Instead, he lingered outside Navoris High, waiting for the girl who had been on his mind all night


    When he finally spotted Tessa approaching the school gates, he moved quickly to intercept her.


    "Tessa, hi. I''m York, from the national team," he said with a confident smile.


    Tessa recognized him as the guy fromst night who lu been staring at her. She didn''t bother. responding, brushing past him without a word.


    For the first time, someone ignored his charm, and York''s lips curled into an amused smile. He caught up


    to her.


    Tessa, don''t be like that! There''s no harm in making friends, right?" he said, handing her a business card. Tessa took the card and nced at it. "York? National basketball team?"


    York mistook her tone for admiration and nodded smugly.


    "Let''s be friends," he insisted.


    Without hesitation, Tessa walked over to a nearby trash can and tossed the card


    in.


    -You-York was stunned. No one had ever treated him like this before. Girls usually flocked to him, eager for his attention.


    But instead of anger, York felt intrigued. "Interesting. I like a challenge," he muttered. "Tessa, just wait. One day, I''ll tear off that mask of yours."


    To York, all women were the same. They acted tough until they were conquered. Once that happened, they became as submissive as Queenie, begging for his attention.


    Unbeknownst to him, this entire interaction was being watched from a car nearby- by Winona


    Winona smirked. "Tessa, you won''tst in Navoris, even without me lifting a finger."


    In her mind, Queenie was more than enough to handle someone like Tessa.


    Whether it was five years ago or today, Winona was determined to see Tessa cast out of the Sinir family


    once more.