Chapter 2

When I first met Liam, I was a freshman, and didn't really know anyone at school. Chloe, along with some others, decided to corner me.

"You're forbidden from talking to Liam Maxwell ever again, or I'll make you regret it!"

Behind her were a few red-haired delinquents, who were apparently Chloe's admirers.

I immediately gave them a masterclass in self-defense. The result was a pile of bodies on the ground.

Liam appeared out of nowhere to watch the show, even recording my fierce, take-no-prisoners attitude. "I was going to record this to call the police for you, but now it looks like I should be calling them for *them* instead."

With Liam's video as evidence, I was just acting in self-defense.

Chloe, as the ringleader, was detained for fifteen days.

The school was going to expel her, but somehow, one of her relatives pulled some strings and got her off the hook.

But I wasn't intimidated.

In fact, I should probably thank Chloe's meddling.

If she hadn't cornered me that day, Liam and I might never have gotten to know each other better.

After Liam and I officially started dating, Chloe nearly lost her mind when she found out.

She charged at me, intending to fight, but I gave her a spectacular over-the-shoulder throw, which landed her in the hospital for a month.

After that, she changed tactics, constantly emphasizing to Liam, "I'm the woman who loves you most!"

I actually admired her persistence. She kept it up for a full five years.

Midway, I did worry. Could a woman's unwavering obsession really fail to stir even a flicker of emotion?

When I asked Liam about it, he didn't say a word.

But the next day, he printed out a stack of advanced placement textbooks and practice exams and tossed them in front of Chloe.

"Someone who claims to be a brilliant university student, but can't even solve these basic problems, what makes you think a little bit of 'love' will impress me?"

"I'd tell her that consistent effort leads to significant results, and all she'd ask is what we're having for dinner."

Just thinking about Liam's actions still makes me laugh.

Indeed, if Chloe could somehow manage to be the top student in the entire school, Liam might actually be willing to discuss academics with her.

Liam and I got together because I was annoyed he beat me in a debate, so I chased him to his dorm and debated him for three days straight.

We were drawn to intellect, to sharp minds. What attracted us was the powerful soul of the other person, not some fleeting, superficial feeling.

Chloe probably would never understand that.