Chapter 869: Nina’s trust

"I didn’t think you’d even step in," Ray giggled, looking at Dean playfully. "Considering you’re the most selfish dude alive, I feel a little bad that I wished you wouldn’t come today."

Ray was smiling from ear to ear, but the way he looked at Dean wasn’t as friendly as it had been before. Dean was the same. He was smiling, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes.

"It’s good to see you too, Ray," Dean remarked. "I came by your office, but I was told you weren’t there."

"I wasn’t there."

"That’s weird because while I was idling around your building, I saw you come out from the direction of the headmaster’s office."

"Hehe." Ray chuckled while Dean remained smiling. However, neither of them liked each other’s presence. "That’s weird. But if you saw me come out of the headmaster’s office, how come you got here before me?"

Dean shrugged nonchalantly. "If you find it weird, then I guess I was kidding."

"Kidding?"

"Why would I check on you, Ray? I don’t like you."

"You—"

Dean smirked, watching Ray’s face twist into an ugly expression. However, just as the two expressed their dislike for each other, half of Dean’s attention wasn’t entirely on Ray. He glanced over his shoulder, catching sight of Nina and Jonathan leaving together.

"Hey, are you listening?" Ray asked, tilting his head to the side when Dean fully looked away from him. Following where Dean was looking with his gaze, Ray furrowed his brows when his eyes landed on Nina and then on the other guy with her.

"Hmm?" Ray hummed, darting his eyes between Nina and Dean. "Dean, why did you step in and save her some face? That’s unlike you. Was it because of Finn?"

Dean didn’t answer, keeping his eyes on Jonathan’s back in particular. Ray, on the other hand, frowned deeply.

The two of them used to be good friends. However, because of certain events, they had grown apart and started disliking each other. After all, they no longer saw eye to eye. Even so, Ray knew Dean so well, and he knew that even if someone died in front of him, Dean wouldn’t flinch or say anything to help. So, seeing Dean step in and help Nina brought back some memories from the past.

The past when Ray and Dean had been good friends. But unlike Ray’s inner sentiments, Dean was focusing on other things.

’Jonathan Russel,’ he thought. ’Is this a coincidence? I knew Cassandra would be here, but not you.’

---

Meanwhile...

Silence lingered between Nina and Jonathan as they walked out of the gymnasium, heading toward the pathway leading to the school’s oval field. Nina kept her eyes down, while Jonathan kept his gaze ahead. Unlike the usual discomfort she felt with him, all she could feel right now was shame.

"I’m sorry you have to see that, Mr. Russel. What... Patricia said..." Her voice was quiet and full of bitterness as she lifted her eyes to him. "... It was true, Mr. Russel."

Nina stopped walking, watching him take a few steps ahead before he stopped as well. "I’m sorry, Mr. Russel. I know you stepped in, but I ended up humiliating you because Patricia wasn’t entirely wrong. At that time, she was probably the only person willing to side with me. However, I... framed her for doing such a despicable thing. As a result, she was punished unjustly because I stuck to my story."

Jonathan didn’t say a word, his back still facing her. Nina smiled wryly, fidgeting with her fingers nervously.

"So, I understand if you back out of the project," she added, sighing heavily. "I’m sure you wouldn’t want to work with someone like that."

After all, this wouldn’t be the first time a client backed out on her because of that incident over a decade ago. Patricia had often caused trouble for Nina, especially when Nina was just starting. So, Patricia would usually sabotage these projects.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Russel."

"Why are you apologizing, Miss Reed?" Jonathan slowly turned around, facing her with a kind smile. "I stepped in and sided with you because that woman was very aggressive. Even if what she said was true, those things are all in the past. I’m judging you based on who you’ve shown me you are in the present."

Nina’s brows rose slowly in surprise as she watched him nod at her reassuringly.

"We aren’t all perfect, right?" he continued. "I also did something... horrible when I was a kid. Things that I regret, moments that made me think I could’ve done things better. However, we can’t change what happened in the past, right? We can only move forward while telling ourselves not to make the same mistakes again."

Slowly, Nina’s eyes softened as her heart eased. Her tensed shoulders relaxed, and she heaved a sigh of relief.

"I don’t judge you for what you’ve done in the past. Besides, it has nothing to do with the talent and skills you have for the project you’re working on," he added. "So, please don’t apologize. And I hope you see that you’ve been forgiven. So forgive yourself as well. Don’t let that woman bully you again, Miss Reed."

Nina pursed her lips and smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Russel."

"I’m just telling the truth and my opinion, but you are very welcome, Miss Reed." Jonathan nodded at her approvingly. "Well, anyway, since we’re already here, you should show me around."

"Of course!" Nina happily skipped a step until she was beside him. "What do you want to see?"

"Hmm... surprise me."

She chuckled, nodding in understanding, leading him toward the pathway to the oval. They still had time, and honestly, Nina just wanted to step out and walk around until she felt calm enough. A little company wouldn’t be so bad, right?

Unlike her usual restraint around Jonathan, her gratefulness and appreciation for him overtook everything. As a result, Nina felt more free and comfortable with him now than she ever had before... just as he had planned.

As Nina talked, Jonathan kept his gaze on her. A slight smirk turned up on his face as he followed her leisurely, knowing he had gotten what he wanted today.

That was... Nina’s trust.