Wyatt was a native of Velmora and came from a prestigious family. To treat Mia to dinner, he’d booked a private room at the most luxurious restaurant near their campus.
As soon as they entered, Mia clung to his arm and asked, “Why isn’t Luna coming, Wyatt? Is she still mad at me?”
“Of course not. She’s sick in the hospital. We didn’t tell her about dinner,” Wyatt replied as he cleaned her utensils.
Mia anxiously grabbed his sleeve, her face was full of worry. “What illness? Is it serious? I
want to visit her.”
“She’s always been in good health, so it shouldn’t be anything serious. She didn’t pick up Wyatt’s call, so we wouldn’t know where to go even if we wanted to visit her.” Ethan poured her a drink, as if to flatter her.
Mia blinked and looked toward Wyatt with soft, watery eyes. “Maybe she didn’t hear the call because she’s sick. Shall we call her again?”
She’d seen Luna alive and well that morning, so there was no way she could be suddenly sick. Mia was sure Luna was faking it to win sympathy from the seniors and avoid getting punished.
Russell seemed genuinely concerned about Luna and said, “Wyatt, why not give her another call? Maybe she really didn’t hear it earlier.”
“You’re the only one worried about her! I think she’s doing it on purpose. First, she used Wyatt’s medal to apologize to Mia. Now, she’s ignoring his calls.
“Can’t you all see? She’s clearly throwing a tantrum at Wyatt and still blaming him for making her apologize to Mia.” Ethan snorted.
The medal incident had left Wyatt feeling uncomfortable. But later on, hearing that Luna was sick had somewhat calmed his anger, and he’d been calm enough to even help organize the materials.
However, now that the issue was being brought up, and seeing that Luna didn’t answer his calls, Wyatt’s fury started bubbling up again.
“Let’s just eat. Ignore her. She used to be the only lady on the team, and we spoiled her too much. She’s forgotten her place and became more unruly.
“This incident can serve as a lesson. Maybe it’ll keep her from acting so willfully in the future, “he snapped.
Since he’d spoken, the others kept quiet.
But Russell still felt uneasy. He’d known Luna the longest, and owing his place in the team to
her, the idea of her being resented by everybody didn’t sit right with him.
He spoke up for her, shying, “Luma’s just being stubborn. She wanted to stay in the team so badly that she made a mistake. But she apologize and was punished. I believe she won’t hurt Mia again.”
Mia inwardly sneered. She knew these guys wouldn’t give up on Luna so easily, especially Russell. She’d heard that the two of them came from humble backgrounds and had always
been close.
She had to do something to make Russell resent ana. Otherwise, he’d keep defending her every time something happened.
She said, “Russell’s right. I believe Luna only slandered me in a moment of impulse. You’ve all been a team for a long time, and the five of you really care about her.
“It’s only natural for her to feel unsettled to see me join the team so suddenly and you all being so kind to me. I totally understand, and that’s why I don’t blame her at all.”
She spoke sincerely and with an expression full of guilt that the guys were touched.
“You sure are understanding, Mia,” Ethan said as he pushed the newly served dish toward her. “You’ve lost weight lately. Have some more.”
Wyatt followed suit by placing a piece of cut steak onto her plate. “If Luna were as
understanding as you, she wouldn’t have done those things.”
For a moment, they cheerfully ate and drank, as if they’d forgotten about Luna. But not long after they dug in, Wyatt’s phone rang–it was a call from Wilson.
“Do you know that Luna wants to leave the team
“What?” The room fell silent at Wyatt’s low voice. Then, they heard the conversation continue.
“Did she tell you that herself? Could she have just been mad?”
Wilson’s tone was sharp. “If she’d told me herself, I wouldn’t be calling you. She sent me an email. I’ll forward it to you.
“Ask her about it. If she means it, let her be.
“My tearn doesn’t need someone with poor character and who throws tantrums. Who does she think she is to challenge me? She isn’t the only choice for my team anyway!”
Wilson was clearly furious. To him, having kept Luna in the team was already doing her a great favor. However, instead of being grateful, the fact that she dared walk away meant that she didn’t know what was good for her.
His research team represented the highest level of medical intelligence in the country. It wasn’t something just anyone could join.
If Luna gave up now, she’d regret it!
When Wyatt hung up, he immediately saw the forwarded email from Wilson.
It was indeed Luna’s resignation from the team!
He frowned deeply, and a wave of unspeakable anger rose inside him.
He should’ve been happy that Luna was leaving since she’d embarrassed him in public. But instead of feeling joy, it felt like a heavy weight was pressing on his chest.
Something felt wrong!
“What’s wrong, Wyatt?” Mia tugged on his sleeve.
Wyatt tossed his phone onto the table. “Luna wants to leave the team. She just sent the professor a resignation email, and now he’s furious. He wants me to ask if she’s serious”
“Is she crazy? She worked so hard to get in, and now she wants to leave just like that. What the hell is she doing?” Kevin jumped up.
Ethan sneered. “I told you she was just throwing a tantrum. Deep down, she wants Mia gone and thinks we can’t function without her. What a joke!”
“This is the top research team in the country and a dream for many interns. I don’t believe she’d just quit,” Trevor said in disbelief. He sided with Ethan this time.
But Russell didn’t feel the same way as the others. He’d turned pale when he saw the email, and even his breathing had grown labored. “Luna never jokes about serious things!”
His words struck a chord with everyone.
Luna had always been serious, disciplined, and meticulous. She was never the type to joke. about something like this.
“Could she really want to leave?” Wyatt’s voice was soft, as if he was muttering the words to himself.
The light in his eyes dimmed, and he didn’t even notice his hands trembling. Something had just pierced through his heart, but he couldn’t quite grasp what it was.
Just then, Mia tearfully chimed in, “It’s all my fault. Luna must want to leave because she hates me. I’ll talk to the professor right now and tell him that he shouldn’t approve her resignation. If anyone should leave, it’s me.
“Compared to me who just joined, Luna’s worked with you for years. She’s more familiar with the team and works well with you all. Even if I pass the exam, I could never replace her.”
On the inside, Mia was fuming. Though she hadnt completely pushed Luna out, she’d managed to have the professor and seniors dislike her. So, if Luna stayed, she’d surely be treated poorly.
“Chapjes y
Mia had planned to make her the pasty by assigning her the hardest work and getting the least credit. As long as she kept the professor and seniors on her side, Luna would eventually lose all her good graces and leave in shame.
But now, just what was going on?
