Chapter 482: Chapter 482: Asking Around for Jensen Hayes
Jocelyn Hayes sighed, "Isn’t that the truth? But my brother, that fool, has been single since birth and has no idea how to pursue someone... Now look, he hasn’t even figured out how to start, and Ashley is already being targeted by your classmates..."
Ariana Grant patted her shoulder.
"If you’re worried about this, don’t be. Ashley and Warren Prescott, it’s impossible."
Joy surged in Jocelyn Hayes’s heart, and she tried to maintain her composure as she asked excitedly, "Why? Isn’t Warren Prescott handsome and rich?"
"There are plenty of handsome and rich people, even Warren Prescott has to wait in line." Ariana said this with pride, as if it was she who was being pursued by handsome guys.
As her glance caught Jocelyn Hayes’s eager curiosity, she added, "Have you ever heard the phrase... ’Today you ignore me, tomorrow you won’t be able to reach me’?"
Although Jocelyn Hayes hadn’t known Ariana Grant for long, their personalities were similar, so she quickly grasped the meaning behind Ariana’s words.
"You mean that Ashley used to like him, but he didn’t like Ashley. Now that Ashley doesn’t like him, he’s started chasing Ashley?"
Ariana Grant raised her thumb, "Perceptive!"
But Jocelyn Hayes grew more anxious.
"Isn’t this a disaster? Ashley used to like him, and now he’s chasing her, wouldn’t it be easy for him to succeed?"
"Nonono..." Ariana shook her finger, "If he could win her over, they would’ve been together long ago! Don’t be fooled by how agreeable Ashley seems, when it comes to her principles, she doesn’t budge an inch. Once she decides she doesn’t like someone, she won’t ever like them again."
Jocelyn Hayes felt a bit uneasy, "Are you sure?"
"Sure!"
Ariana’s affirmative tone reassured Jocelyn Hayes a bit. She warmly hooked her arm around Ariana’s and said, "Don’t worry, Ariana. Once Ashley becomes my sister-in-law, you’ll be the hero of our family! So, you’ll have to help us often in the future."
"For sure! Let me tell you, from the first time I saw your brother, I thought he was a perfect match for Ashley! Officer, ah, just sounds impressive! If I ever get into trouble, I could even ask Ashley for help!"
"If they’re together, you won’t even need to ask. You can come to me anytime if there’s an issue, and I’ll fix it!"
"Deal!"
Just then, a girl from Ariana’s class walked over.
"Ariana! Someone asked me to give this to you."
Ariana looked and saw it was a neatly crafted jump rope.
"Who gave this to me?"
The girl chuckled, "Who else? It’s the student council president who keeps giving you stuff every now and then!"
Ariana’s lips twitched, "Thank you. Is he still outside?"
"He is! You should go!"
The girl waved goodbye and returned to her dorm.
Jocelyn Hayes immediately let go of Ariana’s hand, saying, "When are you going to lend me some of your luck with romance? I want a grand love affair too!"
Ariana was torn between whether to laugh or cry, mumbled a couple of excuses, and went to the dorm entrance.
She planned to clear things up with Tyler Joyce today.
On reaching the door, Tyler saw her and said, "Feel like going for a night run? We still have an hour before curfew, how about we jog on the field for half an hour?"
Ariana took a deep breath, "Tyler, I need to talk to you."
Tyler laughed, "You don’t have to say it, I know what you’re going to say. You don’t like me, right? Don’t worry, me pursuing you is my business, it has nothing to do with you, you don’t need to feel any pressure. I just enjoy chasing you."
His words were so cheesy, they made Ariana blush.
This blush had nothing to do with liking or disliking, it was just the heat of being confessed to.
But she hadn’t forgotten her purpose for coming out.
She said, "Tyler, there’s more I need to tell you. Actually, I have a boyfriend, though it’s an online relationship, in half a month we’ll meet..."
Tyler looked surprised, not because she mentioned having a boyfriend, but... online dating?
"Who is he? Are you sure he’s not up to anything sinister? Meeting someone from online can be dangerous; let me accompany you when you meet him, if anything happens, I can protect you."
"..."
Ariana was stunned.
How was this reaction completely different from what she imagined Tyler would have?
Wasn’t he supposed to concede and back off?
Why did he volunteer to ensure her safety instead?
Ariana steadied her mind and said, "Tyler, although we’re only online dating, I really like him. So, there’s no room in my heart for anyone else..."
Tyler didn’t respond directly to this, only said, "You must tell me when you’re meeting him, thinking ahead isn’t a bad idea."
"Tyler..."
"Oh, I suddenly remembered I have a package to collect, I’ll join you for a workout another day, I’m off! You head back quickly too!"
With that, Tyler turned and ran off into the night.
Ariana was about to chase after him to clarify things once and for all, when she saw Ashley Shaw walking from the building ahead.
Although they were far apart, the dorm light was bright enough for her to notice Ashley Shaw’s very pale face, as if she was about to faint at any moment.
Ariana paused, quickly forgetting about Tyler, and headed toward Ashley Shaw.
"Ashley, are you alright?" She reached out to support Ashley Shaw, only to see Ashley’s legs give way, and she collapsed onto the ground.
Half an hour later.
Ashley Shaw lay in the dorm, sipping the medicine Ariana Grant had thoughtfully bought, looking at the three who watched her anxiously. She couldn’t help but feel grateful yet apologetic, "Sorry, for worrying you all."
Jocelyn Hayes exclaimed, "Oh come on, aren’t we past apologizing between us? You’re being too formal!"
Lynn Redding nodded in agreement.
Ariana Grant spoke more directly.
"You really scared me earlier! Your face was as white as the wall, and you just collapsed... My heart is still racing! Good thing it was just heatstroke; otherwise, I almost called an ambulance."
Recollecting the incident, Ariana still felt uneasy.
Ashley Shaw forced a smile, "Dinner was too greasy, I got heatstroke. But I’m much better now."
Ariana suggested, "Want to take a walk outside for some fresh air?"
Ashley Shaw waved her hand, "Forget it, curfew’s soon, and I might not be able to get back in. I’m fine now, really."
Ariana nodded, "If you’re alright then, I’ll go wash up! If I wait until lights out to wash my face, the dorm will go crazy again."
"Hurry up!"
Ariana nodded and reminded her to finish the herbal medicine before she left.
Jocelyn Hayes hesitated for a moment but ended up asking, "Ashley, did something happen?"
Even though the symptoms were heatstroke, the mood around Ashley Shaw still felt like something significant had happened.
Ashley Shaw shook her head, "Nothing happened, just tired."
Seeing Ashley unwilling to talk, Jocelyn Hayes didn’t press but advised her to get to bed and rest.
The dorm lights soon went out, Ashley Shaw lay on her bed but couldn’t sleep.
She wondered: Is her child... really still alive?
