[Exchange successful!]
[This will consume 1 point.]
[Detecting…]
[Test complete!]
"Isabella Sinclair's favorability rating for Elon Muskov is 5."
Kobe Gray blinked, slightly taken aback.
"So that bald man's name is Elon Muskov…"
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"This system is truly omnipotent."
But the result left him more confused than impressed.
He had expected something entirely different. Based on Isabella Sinclair's behavior, he assumed she genuinely liked that man or at the very least, her favorability toward him should have been higher than Sophia Laurent's toward himself.
After all, when Sophia first met him at the café, her favorability had already been a polite 25.
Five…
That wasn't even indifference. That was practically dislike.
Then why?
Why would Isabella Sinclair choose him? Why break up over him?
The questions tangled in Kobe Gray's mind, leaving him staring into nothing for a moment.
[Host's thoughts detected.]
[The host can exchange 15 points for a chance to listen to Isabella Sinclair's inner thoughts once.]
[Notification: Host's available points balance is insufficient.]
"Wait! No, who said I was going to redeem that?!" Kobe Gray stiffened instantly, his eyes widening in alarm.
Thankfully… he didn't have enough points.
Otherwise, he might have just made a terrible decision on impulse.
'Fifteen points? A guaranteed scratch-off win only costs ten… who would waste that much just to hear their ex-girlfriend's thoughts?'
He scoffed inwardly.
'That would be boring.'
Unless he somehow ended up with points to burn, there was no way he would spend that much just to peek into Isabella Sinclair's mind.
...
"Kobe, I'm a little hungry. Let's go eat!"
Sophia Laurent's voice pulled him back to reality.
After wandering through the streets all afternoon, she looked slightly tired, her energy dipping just enough to show in the softness of her tone.
They had even spent time at the claw machines earlier. Surprisingly, Kobe Gray had been absurdly lucky, winning plush toy after plush toy until they had an entire bag stuffed full, over a dozen in total, in all shapes and sizes.
As he walked, he couldn't help but reflect.
'Once upon a time, Isabella Sinclair was the kind of girl who could be happy just playing claw machines…'
A faint bitterness surfaced, then faded just as quickly.
'I don't know when she changed. Or maybe… she didn't. Maybe I just never saw her clearly.'
His gaze drifted forward.
'Right now, she's probably sitting in someone else's SeDavies Benz, acting all lovey-dovey.'
But then he glanced at Sophia Laurent beside him… her elegance, her figure, the effortless charm she carried.
And suddenly…
That lingering heaviness disappeared.
This feeling…
Unexpectedly, it wasn't bad at all.
Maybe it was true…
'as long as you meet the right person , you can easily forget all about your past.'
Kobe Gray left the oversized bag of dolls at the mall's storage counter before heading off with Sophia Laurent toward the Oxford Hotel.
The hotel stood just beside the shopping complex, its grand entrance glowing under the evening lights.
As they approached, a sleek black SeDavies Benz rolled to a smooth stop right in front of them.
Kobe's steps slowed.
'Hmm… this car looks familiar…'
His brows furrowed slightly as recognition crept in.
It looked exactly like the one Isabella Sinclair had gotten into earlier that morning.
'It can't be… that much of a coincidence, right?'
A faint sense of dread settled in his chest.
Then the car door opened.
And there she was.
Isabella Sinclair stepped out, adjusting her posture as she straightened up.
The moment her eyes landed on Kobe Gray, she froze.
For a split second, genuine shock flickered across her face… her gaze lingering, almost stunned by his transformed appearance.
But just as quickly, that expression hardened into irritation.
"Didn't I tell you we were breaking up?"
Her voice rose sharply, cutting through the air.
"Why did you follow me here?"
"You're so shameless!"
"We're not a good match at all, so stop bothering me!"
Elon Muskov quickly stepped out after her, positioning himself at her side. His eyes swept over Kobe with open disdain.
Her voice, loud and shrill, drew attention almost instantly.
People near the hotel entrance began to slow down… then stop entirely.
Curious glances turned into open spectatorship.
"Looks like his girlfriend ran off with a rich guy."
"That happens all the time these days…"
"But he still followed her here? That's some dedication."
"Wow… a warrior of pure love."
"It's kind of sad, though. Look at how much she despises him."
The murmurs spread like ripples through the crowd.
Kobe Gray felt something snap inside him.
This morning, at the school gate, he had already been humiliated once.
And now… again.
Even a clay Buddha has a temper.
And he was far from made of clay.
'Does she really think she can do whatever she wants just because I once liked her?'
His fists clenched, trembling slightly. His face flushed as anger surged through him.
He was just about to step forward…
When a soft hand slipped gently around his arm.
"Babe, who is she?"
Sophia Laurent's voice was gentle, laced with just the right amount of playful reproach.
She had already figured everything out the moment Isabella spoke.
'In a situation like this… I have to stand on his side.'
She might not call it love, but she cared enough. Enough to never allow someone to humiliate him like that in public.
Kobe paused.
Her touch, her voice… it grounded him instantly, pulling him back from the edge of his anger.
Arguing here… winning or losing… it would only be embarrassing.
He exhaled slowly.
Sophia Laurent had just saved him from making a scene.
Being called "Babe" felt unfamiliar, awkward even… but the moment he realized its purpose, he played along without hesitation.
He reached out and lightly pinched her cheek, his tone softening.
"Darling, I don't even know her. No idea where this crazy person came from. Don't misunderstand me."
Sophia Laurent laughed softly, nodding with complete trust.
"I wouldn't. There's no way you'd leave a girlfriend as beautiful as me for someone who doesn't even compare."
Relief washed over Kobe.
Without hesitation, he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and guided her toward the hotel entrance, completely ignoring Isabella Sinclair, who stood there fuming.
To everyone watching, they looked every bit like a couple… intimate, natural, perfectly matched.
The whispers shifted instantly.
"So… who's actually telling the truth?"
"Is that even a question? Did you see his girlfriend?"
"She's stunning. I thought she was a celebrity."
"Exactly. Why would he leave someone like that?"
"And did you notice her bag? That's a limited edition Channel… it costs a fortune!"
Just like that, the narrative flipped.
Kobe Gray and Sophia Laurent became the center of admiration.
As for Isabella Sinclair…
She was reduced to nothing more than a hysterical ex in the eyes of the crowd.
Even Elon Muskov wasn't spared.
The looks directed at him carried a strange kind of pity, as if silently asking:
"Of all people… this is who you chose?"
His expression darkened.
Beside him, Isabella Sinclair clenched her teeth, her frustration boiling over.
Without another thought, she stormed toward the hotel entrance.
'How is this possible…?'
They had broken up just this morning.
And now…
He was already with someone better.
More beautiful. More composed.
Calling him "Babe" as if they had always belonged together.
That was the one thing no one wanted to see… their ex moving on… and upgrading.
It stung.
Badly.
And what she couldn't understand most of all was this…
How had Kobe Gray changed so much… in just half a day?
The boy who used to chase after her, who hung on her every word…
Was gone.
In his place stood someone different.
Someone sharper. More confident.
Someone who, without even trying, carried the faint aura of a man others would admire.