Coolest Girl in Town (Elise and Alexander)
Chapter 9

What Elise said prompted murmurs from the crowd around them. “That's right. Isn't she a bit toofull of herself?” “Who does she think she is? She's spoiled rotten by the Mosses, but the othersaren't obliged to do the same.” This was the first time Katie was humiliated. In a fit of anger andresentment, she jumped on Elise and tried to shove the latter, only to fall to the ground with a loudthud when the latter dodged her. Elise waved her hand in a helpless gesture. “Everyone saw that,right? I didn't even lay a finger on her,” she said. Then, she bent down and threatened in a sweetvoice, “I know it was you who knocked me into the pool just now, Katie. If you dare mess with meagain, I promise you that your beloved Matthew will be the first to know that.” Then, she raised hervoice and asked with a smile, “Want me to help you up, Miss Moss?” When Katie heard this, her littleface instantly turned as pale as a sheet, and she hastily stood up and fled. Meanwhile, Alexanderhad been silently watching all this from a distance. He'd thought Elise would let herself be trampledon like a doormat, but it seemed that she wasn't as stupid as he'd thought. Without him realizing it,his lips curved into a faint smile, as if he had found an interesting prey. As the farce came to an end,Elise quickly lost her newfound interest. She threw a glance at Ashlyn, saying, “I'm sorry, MissLawson, but it's almost time for me to leave.” “Sorry for what happened just now,” Ashlyn replied infeigned friendliness. Inwardly, though, she was mad at Katie for making a fool of herself in trying tobe clever. Elise then turned around, only to hear a loud rip behind her. The zipper’s broken? Sh*t! Sobad things do come in threes! She could only clutch the zipper tightly to keep her dress from fallingdown. Even though she had her back to Ashlyn, she could imagine the woman's gloating sneer.Seeing what had happened, Matthew, who was next to Elise, wanted to take off his suit jacket togive it to Elise. To his surprise, however, Alexander had put his suit jacket on her before he could doso. “What's wrong with your dress?” asked the man in a deep voice. “My back zipper popped open.”Alexander seemed to have figured out who the culprit was after darting a look at Ashlyn. “Sincethat's the case, we'll be leaving first.” Ashlyn restrained herself at once when she heard Alexander'schilly voice. When did he get here? she thought. The corner of her lips twitched. Unwilling to resignherself to this, she asked, “Why don't you let someone else escort Elise home instead, Alexander?I've just come back from overseas, and I haven't danced with you today!" “There's no need for that,”Alexander replied flatly. Then, paying no more attention to Ashlyn, he turned to Elise and said, “I'llsend you home.” “Uh, okay,” Elise responded. She didn't expect that Alexander would stand up forher. Seeing that Alexander was leaving the party early, Danny exclaimed in disbelief, “Are youleaving, Alexander?” When he lowered his gaze and saw Elise wearing Alexander's suit jacket, heyelled, “Hey, you'd better know what's good for you, you ugly woman! Don't hit on Alexander!” Eliserolled her eyes hard. How I wish I could leave alone! It's really embarrassing to leave like this with somany people watching, she thought. Furthermore, she felt like Ashlyn was going to skin her alivewith her eyes. However, Alexander kept a stern face and wouldn't respond to her, so she could onlycling onto his suit jacket in embarrassment. ...... Matthew gazed at Elise’s receding figure whileholding the suit jacket that he didn't get to hold out to her. An inexplicable feeling arose inside him.Why's Alexander so kind to her? Just because of Grandpa's requests? ...... Ashlyn felt abandoned as shewatched Alexander leave with Elise. Filled with bitter jealousy, she trembled all over with rage. You'renothing but an ugly and uneducated country bumpkin! What makes you think you can stealAlexander from me? You won't get off so easily, Elise Sinclair! Just you wait and see!