His Destructive, Toxic Love (Jasper and Eliza)

Chapter 317

Six months later.

In Oak Falls, Eliza was back at her old school, picking up where she left off. After everything she'd been through, she found solace in this calm and warm life.

Her older colleagues had made it their mission to set her up on dates. Every time, she declined with a polite smile. Marriage wasn't something she felt she needed. "Ms. Valerie, there's a new teacher around your age. He's quite the looker. You should go for it," one colleague nudged.

"Yeah, Ms. Valerie, you're stunning, and honestly, no one would guess you've had a child. Don't let this rare catch slip through your fingers," another chimed in. "Ms. Valerie, you can't stay in one place forever. Sometimes, you just have to take a step forward..."

Her colleagues' voices overlapped with suggestions and encouragements. Eliza smiled politely, though she felt a bit awkward.

All she knew about the new teacher was his name, Carlos. She hadn't met him yet, but she heard he just graduated from a renowned art academy overseas and was here on an internship. He wouldn't be around for long. Not that it mattered to her anyway.

With textbooks in hand, Eliza smiled and backed out of the office. She hadn't gone far when she accidentally bumped into someone. "Sorry, my bad."

that seemed sweet and disarming. Though he seemed friendly, Eliza knew better than to judge by appearances. She often struggled to read people accurately and opted not to comment. "Are you Ms. Valerie? I've heard about you from the Art Academy of Falconridge. Maybe we could exchange some pointers?" He smiled gently, but there was a competitive glint in

their first meeting, and it was filled with the usual pleasantries, yet it

a smile. "Sure,

painting competition coming up, themed around blue-collar

kept up

had brought her a lot of attention and boosted her painting prices. She didn't want

rarely entered contestsnet

"No," she replied honestly.

tone was oddly accusatory, as if not participating

expression cooled. "What?

backtracked, offering an embarrassed smile.

a class to get

him a chance to explain further. His intentions didn't matter to her. Her first impression of him was not good. She sensed a subtle domineering streak she

Zach-a wolf in sheep's