“I didn’t know anything about this. Russell and I went to several hospitals yesterday but couldn’t find Luna.
“Our calls went unanswered, and we were worried something had happened to her, so we dared not tell anyone,” Kevin said with a miserable expression
Russell clutched his head. “Luna isn’t someone who acts on impulse. Even if she wanted to quit the team, she wouldn’t go around announcing it online. She’s not that scheming!”
Mia’s eyes reddened. “How could this have happened? First it was me, and now it’s Luna. The things people say online can destroy someone. Who’d be so vicious as to keep targeting us?”
In truth, Mia had exposed Luna’s team–quitting incident. She wanted to force Luna to leave completely without turning back, and she didn’t want the seniors coaxing her back in again either.
However, she couldn’t have them suspect her. She had to stay clean like last time. Not only would she have to avoid suspicion, but she also had to earn their sympathy so that they’d feel sorry for her.
Mia was lucky. Just after she spoke, Trevor saw a post on the campus forum from Rhett. ” Someone said Luna joined Professor Wilder’s research team. Could it be those people spreading the news about her quitting?
“I’ll take a look.” Wyatt grabbed the phone from Trevor and noticed the account at a glance. It’s Rhett. He’s one of Professor Wilder’s students.”
Ethan leaned in for a look. “I heard that Professor Wilder and Professor Hanley didn’t get along back in the day. They often clashed over recruiting students.
“Say… did they believe roping Luna into their team means that they’ve one–upped Professor Hanley?”
Wyatt clenched his fists, and a rare look of anger flashed on his usually gentle face. “Luna has always been with us, and she’s always performed academically best in her major. Other professors have tried to poach her.
“This move by Rhett reeks of ulterior motives, but even if we don’t want her anymore, she can’t go to their team! I won’t let them get away with it!”
The impatient Kevin said, “What are we waiting for! Let’s find Luna!
“She’s pure–hearted, and now that she’s sick, she’s the most vulnerable. She might’ve been sweet–talked into it!”
Ethan’s face was cold as he chimed in, “It might not entirely be Rhett’s idea. Yesterday, in the resource center, I saw them…”
“Shut up!” Russell rushed over and grabbed his collar. “Will it kill you to stop stirring the pot? Yesterday, you said Luna gave you attitude and refused to organize the materials. Look at what happened–she got sick and was hospitalized.
“We’ve known her for years. Don’t you know what kind of person she is? How could she possibly be involved with someone like Rhett?
“Wyatt, this is clearly Rhett taking advantage of the situation to recruit Luna. We can’t let her down and push her to the other side!”
Ethan shoved Russell away. “How are we pushing her away? She brought up quitting the team, and it’s not like we kicked her out.”
“We didn’t, but we ignored her while she was sick,” Kevin said, supporting Russell and glaring at Ethan. Then, he continued, “Luna is a young lady, and we spoiled her into becoming who she is. But when she made a mistake, we didn’t take responsibility and blamed her for everything instead.
“She acted hurt and distant probably just to get us to comfort not do
.but not only did w that, but we even blamed everything Rhett did on her.”
Trevor nodded. “Kevin’s right. We need to talk to Luna and figure this out. I don’t believe she’d give up Professor Hanley’s mainstream major and go for Professor Wilder’s niche ones.”
“Kevin’s right. I don’t believe she’d be so foolish either,” Wyatt said, his expression softening. “Since Professor Hanely wanted me to talk to her, he never intended to let her go. We can’t let Rhett take advantage of this.
“The timing isn’t right, regardless of whether she acted on impulse or was sure about leaving She can’t leave now!” Wyatt would never allow Rhett to steal someone from him, even if it was someone he didn’t want.
“Wyatt, shall I talk to Luna? Girls talk more easily with each other, and since I’m the cause of this incident, I should be the one to bring her back” Mia suggested.
She hadn’t expected things to turn out this way and end up shooting herself in the foot. She
thought she’d cut off Luna’s escape route, but Rhett had stepped i
Now that Luna had both sides fighting over her, it was infuriating! If Mia had known that this would’ve happened, she would’ve done nothing and let Luna be coaxed back.
“I’ll come with you,” Ethan offered as he silently cursed.
He’d thought that Luna was a discarded pawn and had tried to trample her to win favor with Wyatt and Mia. But who would’ve thought she’d first get sick and lose everyone’s trust, then threaten to quit th
team and have Erin fight over her?
It seemed like she wasn’t leaving the team anytime soon. She might even win back Wyatt’s favor.
If she found out that–Ethan hadn’t supported her, she might not speak up for him and might even retaliate in the future!
“Where is she right now? She hasn’t returned to the school, and she’s not answering her phone. It’ll be a tough job trying to find her.”
Mia timidly raised her hand. “You think Rhett knew about her quitting because he bumped into her at the hospital, and she let it slip?
“Are you saying that Luna is at Holistic Traditional Medicine Hospital?” Ethan swiftly reacted.
Kevin was equally excited. “That’s very likely. Luna has always been frugal, and the hospital has a partnership with our school. She’d definitely go there.”
“Why didn’t we think about that earlier?” Russell said, looking utterly regretful.
Wyatt glanced around at the group. “What are we waiting for? Let’s go.”
So, they rushed out of the school gates with Mia trailing behind.
She watched their hurried figures and felt bitter
So, they did care about Luna after all.
Mia had meant to imply that Luna had told Rhett about quitting, but they hadn’t picked up on that. No wonder they’d been so easily tricked by Lamma all these years and made her the top student and the miracle doctor.
If Luna were more attractive and not as cold, Mia wouldn’t have had a chance to join the team. But now that she was in, she wouldn’t let Luna come back
The top rank, the miracle doctor reputation, the affection of the seniors, Wyatt’s love, and Wilson’s attention would all be hers!
Luna was a country bumpkin and an ugly freak. How dared she try to compete?
Mia refused to believe that Luna earned everything she had with talent. She must have had the seniors and Wilson wrapped around her finger.
This gullible bunch believed everything she said!
Mia thoughtfully took out her phone. The location–tracking dot hovered over Holistic Traditional Medicine Hospital.
Could it be that Luna really was sick? Why else would she stay there for so long?
