Chapter 9: Marrying Your Whole Family

The two of them were tugging and pulling in the hallway. To avoid damaging his image, Truman MacMillan simply took Eudora Cook's hand and quickly led her down the stairs to a less crowded back street.

On the back street, only one streetlight was on, casting a dim light that made it hard to see the passersby.

Eudora Cook pulled her hand away from Truman MacMillan and stood silently by the wall, not saying a word.

Truman MacMillan, with his hands in his pockets, lowered his head and sighed deeply, "Actually... I've always seen you as a sister."

"Why didn't you say this before? Are you just giving up now?" Eudora Cook asked hoarsely.

Truman MacMillan frowned and replied impatiently, "Eudora, don't make it sound so harsh! We were high school classmates, both from rural backgrounds. But I'm an undergraduate with a bright future, while you're just a junior college student, destined for a stable but low-paying job. And all the money you gave me this year was just an investment, hoping that when I succeed, I would marry you and bring you to live in the big city!"

"Is that how you see me?" Eudora Cook looked at Truman MacMillan in disbelief.

Truman MacMillan raised his eyes and retorted, "What else could it be? You are exactly that kind of girl!"

"If that's the case, give me back all the money I gave you this year, with interest!" Eudora Cook angrily extended her hand toward Truman MacMillan.

Truman MacMillan glanced at her, pursed his lips, and slightly turned away, "See? I was right about you. You really are that kind of girl! It's no wonder, coming from a rural background, lacking ambition, and caring only about money. There's nothing I can do about it."

"You..." Eudora Cook, clenching her teeth, pointed at Truman MacMillan, wanting to say more but stopping herself.

Truman MacMillan casually took out his wallet from his pocket, took out all the money inside, and stuffed it into the hand pointing at him.

"Eudora, you are not a match for me. Your status, your education, your family background, none of them match mine. If I were to marry you, it would mean marrying your entire family. Not only would I have to support you, but also your stingy mother, your disabled father, and your good-for-nothing brother. This would be too much for me. Take this money for now as compensation. When I finish my master's degree and get a good job, I will pay you back with interest," Truman MacMillan said, shaking his head with a sigh.

Eudora Cook threw the money in Truman MacMillan's face.

Truman MacMillan, looking stunned, did not get angry at her insult. Instead, he squatted down and picked up the bills one by one.

Eudora Cook watched in shock as Truman MacMillan put the money back into his wallet, muttering impatiently, "You didn't want it, so it's fine. I was wrong first, and you have every right to be angry."

"Truman MacMillan, we were high school classmates for three years, and we've been dating for almost a year in college. I never thought you would not only cheat on me but also be so insincere!" Eudora Cook choked, her voice breaking.

She had worked hard and saved money, coming to take care of him every weekend, only to find out he had another girlfriend and was even living with her!

Truman MacMillan glanced at Eudora Cook, fell silent for a moment, and then turned and walked away without a word.

Why bother arguing with her now?

Since everything was already exposed, they would no longer have any connection.

In fact, Eudora Cook was prettier than Laura Kennan, but her background wasn't as good.

Laura Kennan was from this coastal city, and her family owned several houses there. Her parents were well-connected to powerful figures in the city.

If he married Laura Kennan, he could save ten years of hard work. If he married Eudora Cook, he would have to work hard for the rest of his life.

Comparing the two, Truman MacMillan naturally preferred Laura Kennan over Eudora Cook.

Eudora Cook watched as Truman MacMillan's figure disappeared into the darkness, and her tears finally fell.

At the most painful moment, she couldn't cry, but after the pain, she finally broke down.

Love was supposed to be beautiful, why did he have to destroy it completely?

Truman MacMillan wasn't devoid of love for Eudora Cook, but such love couldn't withstand the test of reality. He couldn't run a marathon-like Platonic relationship with her, so to better himself, he had to let her go.

Eudora Cook went to Truman MacMillan's dormitory to retrieve her suitcase. His roommates, Eric Isaiah and Lennon Bauer, were worried about her, but seeing her strong smile, they comforted her and, along with Vincent Clark, accompanied her to the long-distance bus station.

Before parting, Vincent Clark said solemnly, "Eudora, don't blame me. You're a good girl, and I didn't want you to be kept in the dark. In the future, you will meet someone who loves you and treats you well."

"That's right! Truman MacMillan is a scumbag! Don't be too sad!" Eric Isaiah chimed in.

Lennon Bauer also added, "Truman MacMillan is a scumbag, but we three aren't! There are still good men in the world. Don't lose hope in love. Eudora, stay true to yourself!"

"Thank you, guys," Eudora Cook smiled gratefully.

These three boys were truly loyal friends.

"It looks like no one will help us wash our clothes anymore!" Eric Isaiah lamented.

Lennon Bauer immediately patted Eric Isaiah on the head, "Can't you wash your own clothes, you rascal?"

Eudora Cook couldn't help but laugh.

"The bus is leaving, Eudora, get on. Be careful on the road," Vincent Clark reminded her.

Eudora Cook nodded, waved goodbye to them, and boarded the bus, starting her journey home.

As the bus slowly left the station, Lennon Bauer slung an arm around Vincent Clark's shoulder, and the three of them walked together.

"Vincent, do you like Eudora?" Lennon Bauer asked as they walked.

Eric Isaiah joined in, patting Vincent Clark on the chest, "Of course, you must like her. Ever since you met her, you've been secretly in love with her, haven't you?"

"You guys are thinking too much. I just don't like Truman MacMillan," Vincent Clark replied calmly.

Lennon Bauer and Eric Isaiah exchanged knowing smiles.

They all understood each other, and that was enough.