Chapter 9 You Are the One Who Started It

• "What?"
• Sydney's expression changed as she finally realized the truth.
• "H-he's the boyfriend you've been taking care of for three years, the one in a coma? I-I'm sorry, Ms. Snowden, I didn't know.
• "Ms. Snowden, I-I sincerely apologize."
• Just like Petra had said, the Wells were at the bottom of the Reputable Houses. The Wells' power was not comparable to that of the Snowdens.
• "The person you should be apologizing to isn't me!" Petra scoffed coldly. "It's my honey!"
• "Forget it. Apologies from trash like them aren't worth accepting anyway," Liam said, shaking his head.
• "Darling, let's go inside. No need to waste time with trash."
• Under Alex's envious gaze, Liam wrapped his arm around Petra's waist and led her inside.
• "Why are you dressed so strangely?" Petra couldn't help but ask.
• "Because Tyra likes me dressed like this," Liam answered with utter seriousness.
• "You sound like you actually know Tyra." Petra rolled her eyes; she was speechless.
• "If I told you I've admired her from afar for years, would you believe me?" Liam smirked.
• Petra gave him another eye roll. Obviously, she didn't believe him.
• "You do look a little different today though," she commented.
• "I know."
• Liam wore a mask of calm and said, "I'm more handsome."
• Petra was speechless.
• This guy! He's so full of himself!
• When the two of them entered the grand ballroom, they immediately attracted attention.
• Although the main star of tonight's event was Tyra, Petra had been one of River City's most talked-about figures for years. She nearly overshadowed Tyra as the city's number one beauty.
• "Well, well, Petra. I thought you wouldn't dare bring your boyfriend, but you surprised me."
• A mocking voice came from behind them—it was Lizzie.
• "Everyone, let me introduce you," Lizzie said loudly, her voice dripping with scorn. "This is Petra's beloved coma boyfriend, whom she has been caring for three years! He is an orphan from the countryside, with no family or financial resources."
• Lizzie raised her voice deliberately, making sure everyone heard her.
• "Honestly, I'm curious. What kind of talent does a worthless, penniless hick have to make Ms. Snowden wait for him for three whole years?
• "Or maybe our Ms. Snowden is just blind? Haha ... "
• Lizzie laughed mercilessly.
• "So that's Petra's coma boyfriend? He actually woke up?"
• "What is he even wearing? Is that a traditional robe?"
• "He's actually good-looking, but he's a poor country boy. There's no way the Snowdens would approve of him."
• "Has Petra lost her mind? Philip's been chasing after her for years, and she chose some hick?"
• The crowd whispered among themselves, baffled by Petra's choice.
• Sure, Philip had a reputation for being a playboy, but he was still Philip Mallin, and that alone made him a thousand times better than some hick.
• "My talents are something only Petra would understand," Liam said lazily.
• Liam's lazy voice cut through the chatter, "Maybe Petra just prefers cleanliness and simplicity? Perhaps she is drawn to someone as pure as me?
• "Of course, someone as filthy as you, Ms. Reid, wouldn't understand that."
• The crowd was stunned. This guy is something.
• This hick sure knows how to insult people!
• "What the hell are you talking about, you hick?" Lizzie snapped, infuriated.
• "You're dirty; your whole family is dirty!
• "I think you know very well whether or not I'm spewing nonsense."
• Liam remained calm and advised, "I'd advise you to get checked for gonorrhea. Don't avoid the issue. It's still treatable if you act quickly."
• Gonorrhea?
• The crowd instinctively glanced at Lizzie. A few people standing close to her even backed away slightly.
• Everyone was aware of Lizzie's messy private life, so catching something like that was not out of the question. Well, it wasn't out of the question.
• "Petra, did you bring this hick here just to insult me?" Lizzie seethed with rage. "You're so despicable!"
• "You're the one who's been acting disgraceful, so don't blame my Petra," Liam scoffed. "Even if I am just a hick who clings to Petra, what's that have to do with you?
• "As for whether or not you have gonorrhea, why don't you go to the hospital and get tested? Then we all can see the results together."
• "Liam, you're just a guy who's been in a coma. Stop pretending to be a doctor," Alex said, walking in with Sydney on his arm.
• "Everyone, I went to the university with Liam. He studied finance, but after graduation, he fell into a coma. He doesn't know a thing about medicine!
• "He's just slandering Ms. Reid!"