Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 124 I Like You, It's None of Your Business

As soon as they spotted the weapon, someone let out a terrified scream, and the crowd scattered like roaches.

Oliver jumped in front of Bella. "Got beef? Bring it to me. Leave her out of this."

Zachary twirled the knife in his hand, not even giving Oliver a glance. Instead, he smirked at Bella with a creepy grin.

"Of course, I won't touch her. She's too precious for that."

His moves were so slick that the knife spun effortlessly. It wasn't until I saw his blue cocktail turn red that I realized he had cut himself.

Zachary swirled the glass and strolled forward, ignoring Oliver's death stare. He grabbed Bella's injured hand and let a drop of her blood fall into the glass too. The blood mixed with the drink, and in the next second, Zachary downed the cocktail, now spiked with both their blood, in one gulp.

He wiped his mouth, flashed a wicked grin, and tossed the empty glass behind him. One of his goons caught it with a smooth arc. Zachary had made his point loud and clear.

For a moment, everyone was stunned into silence. Even Oliver was breathing hard, lost for words.

"Aren't you gonna put the ring on me? Hurry up, stop dragging your feet."

Bella broke the silence, sounding super annoyed.

Oliver snapped out of it, grinning like an idiot, and nervously pulled out the ring, almost dropping it.

With shaky hands, he slipped it onto Bella's finger, knowing she had made her choice. Ignoring the rival nearby, he smiled like a fool and pulled Bella into his arms. Frank shouted, "Hell yeah!"

He started clapping, and a few others joined in, though most were too scared of Zachary to do more than stand there quietly.

Zachary seemed to have expected this and stayed cool, his smile never fading.

He brought his cut finger to his mouth and licked it, his eyes locked on Bella.

Bella stepped out of Oliver's embrace and glanced at Zachary, a flicker of something complicated crossing her face.

Zachary wasn't the typical pretty boy, but he had a rugged charm. From what I knew about Bella, Zachary was her type. If Oliver hadn't swooped in first, Zachary might've had a shot. "If Oliver ever messes with you, come find me."

Zachary's tone was calm but firm, showing he wasn't giving up.

"Can you quit the crap? Can't you read the room?" Oliver shouted, barely holding it together.

Zachary just smirked at him, gave Bella one last look, and then turned to leave.

His buddies seemed pissed and called out, "Zachary,"

"Let's bounce."

Zachary said coldly, and no one dared to say another word.

As he walked away, his smile faded, and he looked kinda bummed. I figured he really did like Bella, but with guys like them, how long could real feelings last?

I heard everyone cheering did I turn back to see Oliver making out with Bella

says, the easier something is to get, the less you value it. Zachary's stunt must've made Oliver feel like he barely won, so he was all in with that kiss. The applause kept going, and honestly,

a lot to get here. I hoped things would be smooth sailing

and Lacey looked towards the stage,

kissed in front of so many people made the usually carefree Bella a bit shy, and she kept her head buried in Oliver's

crowd started to thin out. Oliver and Bella came over, and everyone insisted

worried about Bella's hand and asked, "Do you

sat down and shrugged it off, "It's just

looking kinda down. I wondered if she

and asked, "What's up? You don't

and said,

to go to the restroom, but she didn't come back for a while.

corner, I heard Lacey's

come on, how could I

way I'm letting you pay. I should be the one treating you. Work's been nuts lately, but as soon as I get some free time, I'll definitely set it up. Mark, you gotta let me do this." Lacey leaned lazily against the wall, holding

was grinning ear to ear on the

to the booth, and after a bit, Lacey

looked wet too. I pretended not to notice and handed her a fruit

smiled and said thanks but didn't touch it. Instead,

pointed at Oliver. "Oliver kept this under wraps the whole time. Who knew he

on cloud nine and

"Of course."

something to

tone made everyone hush

turned her gaze to Jason, who had

about what she was

"Jason, I like you!"

straight-up, confessing her

booth exploded with teasing

like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, and smiled

mean you have to do anything about it. I just got inspired by what happened earlier and wanted

led the teasing, pounding the table and drawing

long pause, Jason finally looked up and gave

looked at him seriously.

a bitter smile. "What did I do

eyes locked. In those few seconds, his gaze was so intense it

hand was held. I turned to see Ethan bringing my hand

freaked out by his sudden show of

snapped back to reality. Jason had slammed his empty

that his glass had been full earlier, but in the brief moment I was

liked for many years, but I missed

smiled nonchalantly at

I'm just happy today, and keeping this bottled up was driving me nuts. Saying it out loud makes me feel better. Jason, don't sweat it. I just