?Chapter 368:


    Witnessing the typically unppable Rnd in such a flustered state, Pattie couldn’t suppress a delightedugh. She discovered, to her surprise, that he possessed something adorable.


    Never beforest night would the word “adorable” have entered Pattie’s mind when thinking of Rnd.


    Inside the bathroom, Rnd sagged against the door, his mind a whirlpool of confusion.


    How could this have happened?! His reputation for calctedposure nowy in tatters. What madness had possessed him to act so foolishly? As self-recrimination consumed him, a gentle knock interrupted his spiral of shame.


    Pattie’s voice filtered through the wooden barrier, “Rnd, your phone is ringing.”


    Reluctantly, Rnd cracked the door open just enough to reveal half his face, his body concealed protectively behind the wooden shield as he extended a single hesitant hand.


    With a bemused expression, Pattie ced the device in his waiting palm.


    He snatched it hastily and sealed his sanctuary with a decisive snap, the lock clicking into ce once more.


    Outside, Pattie rolled her eyes skyward in unmistakable frustration. Was he seriously treating her like some predatory thief? Had he conveniently forgotten how, yesterday, he’d boldly guided her hand to his abdomen, inviting her to appreciate his physique?


    Behind the door, Rnd nced down as the screen illuminated with an iing call. Elvira’s name shed across the disy.


    He drew a deep breath to steady himself before answering with feignedposure, “Hello?”


    “Rnd!” Elvira’s voice burst through the speaker with startling enthusiasm. “How did it go? Did you manage to meet Maia’s husband yesterday? Have you hatched a n to win Maia back from him?”


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    Since Rnd’s arrival in Wront, Elvira had existed in a perpetual state of anxiety. While Rnd excelled in most areas of life, he remained hopelessly inept when it came to matters of the heart.


    Words evaporated on Rnd’s tongue as he groped for an appropriate response. The chaotic events of the previous night defied any simple exnation he might offer Elvira.


    As he floundered in ufortable silence, another soft knock echoed against the door, followed by Pattie’s melodious voice filtering through the door. “I need to head to the office, so I’m leaving now.”


    The line went deadly silent for a heartbeat, then erupted with Elvira’s piercing shriek. “Was that a woman’s voice I just heard? Were you with Maiast night? Did you two actually sleep together? Oh my god, Rnd, you absolute legend! I knew you had it in you!”


    Rnd stood rooted by the sink, staring at the faint silhouette lingering just beyond the bathroom door. A heavy silence stretched between them, awkward and uncertain. On the other end of the line, Elvira practically buzzed with excitement.


    In her mind, silence was as good as a confession. Finally, she thought, triumph curling in her chest, she had seeded in making Maia her sister-inw.


    “You are incredible, Rnd! Only you could pull this off. You are the person I admire most! There is nothing in this world you cannot handle!” Elvira gushed, her voice bright with misced enthusiasm.


    Rnd pressed two fingers against his temple, a headache pounding at the edges of his patience. “Let us not talk about this right now. I am hanging up.”


    “Wait, Rnd! Tell me the details—”


    He hung up without mercy.


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