Chapter 79 The Argument with Nancy And the Prank Marco Played on Me

Elena Garcia's POV:

I couldn't make sense of what Nancy was saying.

Sophia jumped in, "Nancy, you can't talk to Elena like that! She helped us, didn't she?"

"Yeah, but why didn't she help us sooner?" Nancy was all worked up, and I had no clue what was going on with her.

She blamed me for the pain she and her sister went through, thinking it was my fault for not stepping in earlier. It made my heart ache.

"I don't get what you mean, Nancy." I tried to keep my cool.

Nancy got even more agitated. "I mean, you knew your boyfriend could help us, so why didn't you ask him sooner?"

I tried to explain, "Because Marco and I weren't together back then, and there were some misunderstandings between us. I didn't think asking him for help was a good idea."

Nancy looked at me with disdain. "So why didn't you get together with him sooner to help us? You didn't ask him for help because you weren't a couple, but now you are, so you did. Are you only with him for his help?"

I shouted, "What nonsense are you talking about!"

Anger left me speechless, especially with Nancy staring at me so fearlessly. She really seemed to believe that.

But I still wanted to clear things up. "Listen, Nancy. From the start, I tried to handle the problem myself. Remember your sister's photo? Because of that, we didn't call the police, which could've solved things faster. I was thinking of you and your sister, doing my best to help you, to fight those bullies, but that doesn't mean I should hurt someone else to help you."

Nancy didn't know about my relationship with Marco, and I wanted to make that clear.

Despite my sincere explanation, Nancy shot back, "So you chose to hurt us instead?"

Talking to Nancy was tough because she completely ignored what I was saying and was really aggressive. 

Sophia was at a loss, trying hard to calm her sister, but her usually gentle and shy sister seemed like a different person.

Nancy refused to listen to her sister and kept glaring at me.

I decided I wasn't going to put up with it anymore. I did everything I could to help them, so why was she still blaming me for not doing more?

I snapped, "I didn't hurt you, Nancy."

Nancy fired back, "How can you still say that?"

"I just don't want to say it outright to hurt you, but you keep pushing me." I looked at her, my face serious and a bit sad. "When I was ready to fight back, to reclaim our dignity from those bullies, you chose to sacrifice me for your sister."

I didn't want to hurt Nancy, but she shouldn't attack me for this. I also didn't want to bring up too many things that made me sad.

Nancy's face turned red. She awkwardly sipped her juice to cover her discomfort.

Sophia's expression was also awkward.

Nancy then said, "That was in the past."

I questioned, "Do you think saying that can erase my sadness at the time and your choice back then?"

"Elena, Nancy didn't do it on purpose at the time. She was just doing it for me." Caught between me and Nancy, Sophia felt troubled. She looked at me and then at her sister.

I softened my tone, not wanting Sophia to keep struggling between us. "Yes, it was for you, Sophia. That's why I compromised back then. If I really couldn't forgive Nancy for that, I wouldn't have moved out of the dorm, and Nancy would have been disciplined."

I then said to Nancy, "So why don't you think the problem lies with you? Maybe without you, we could have found other ways to solve everything, instead of you standing here blaming me for not doing better."

Nancy shut her mouth, but she was still clearly unhappy, muttering under her breath, "Other ways? Are there really other ways?"

"Of course there are," I replied, trying not to look at the annoying Nancy. I was a bit tired. "Back in school, there were a bunch of folks who weren't exactly on good terms with Sofia and Laura. They could've had our backs."

Nancy finally went completely silent. I didn't know if she realized her mistake, but she stayed quiet until the end of the gathering.

Before they left, Sophia asked if there was anything else they needed to do.

I told them the only thing they needed to do was wait and repeated that Laura wouldn't have the energy to bother us anymore.

After they left, Marco showed up in front of me shortly after, holding a bouquet of beautiful pink roses.

"I thought flowers might cheer you up. Sorry if I was sitting too close," Marco said, hugging me after I took the flowers.

My mood instantly lifted. He was always so considerate, knowing how to comfort me, and it really touched me deeply.

I kissed the corner of his mouth. "I'm fine, Marco." I forced a smile. "Nancy's just being stubborn. She's probably feeling tense and sensitive with all this mess going on. It's no big deal. The ones who are really gonna face trouble next aren't us!"

Just like I said, Sofia ran into trouble. I got a message from her. At first, she was all polite, hiding her anger and embarrassment.

Sofia: [Elena, sorry to bother you, but don't you think you're being a bit too possessive over William? I really need to talk to him, and I hope you don't misunderstand.]

When I ignored her messages, she got a bit sharper.

Sofia: [I don't care what you told William. Our issues don't need to involve him, and you shouldn't make him choose between us. You're being unreasonable. But remember, he won't always indulge you like this.]

I looked at her messages and sneered. She was still trying to play the good person.

In her words, it was all my fault. Even if someone saw our messages, they'd think I was the unreasonable girlfriend blocking my boyfriend's normal communication with his friend.

I didn't bother replying and went on a date with Marco. Sofia realized I wasn't gonna reply, but she didn't give up and kept calling me. She called so many times that I finally answered.

"Elena, why didn't you answer my calls?" Sofia's tone was angry. "What did you say to William? I can't reach him now!"

I replied playfully, "Oh? I thought Laura had already told you. She asked me about it earlier."

Sofia was silent for a moment, then cursed softly. Her tone was anxious, nothing like the elegant and composed demeanor she usually showed in public, more like a shrew on the verge of losing it.

She then shouted furiously, "Laura told me you didn't say anything to her!"

Sofia's reaction confirmed that my words to Laura that day had worked. It seemed Laura had become wary of her "only friend."

I didn't mind stirring things up a bit more and told Sofia what happened that day. "Well, William and I are no longer together. I'm sure you know the reason."

"What?" Sofia was stunned, then her tone rose again, but this time with a hint of secret joy. "Are you saying William dumped you? That's too bad. Is that why you're so cold to me? My poor sister, do you think it's because of me?"

"Don't play dumb, Sofia. I dumped him." I raised an eyebrow.

If Sofia could see my expression at that moment, she probably wouldn't be so smug.

While taking Sofia's call, I leaned against Marco, playing with his fingers.

We had just finished our date and were heading back to the Bianchi family's base.

Marco's gaze became intense as he looked at me. Even just me playing with his fingers was enough to tease him. Then, as he was about to lean in to speak, I raised a finger to my lips, signaling that I was on the phone.

"Stay quiet." I covered the phone and winked at Marco.

Marco showed a hurt expression.

I admit I was being a bit playful. I seemed to have developed a mischievous streak lately, and Marco's reaction excited me.

I continued speaking to Sofia, "And because my new boyfriend found out about this, he taught William a lesson. I think that's why he's not answering your calls."

"What? Your new boyfriend? Who?" Sofia asked, her tone becoming anxious again.

Hearing about my breakup with William was probably within Sofia's expectations because William loved her so much. She was happy to see my misery, but now she realized things were different from what she expected.

I said casually, "You've met him. Do you want to know who he is? Maybe I don't need to introduce him to you specifically. You might see him soon. Stop it!"

I grabbed Marco's hand, a moan escaping my throat halfway before I swallowed it. I glared at Marco.

The soundproof partition between the front and back seats of the car had somehow been raised.

I said to Sofia perfunctorily, "I wasn't talking to you, Sofia. I'm swamped right now. If you have more questions, we can talk later. Just a heads up, you might want to tread carefully with what you've been up to."

Then I quickly hung up, looking at Marco's sly smile.