Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 314

“C-Can you let me go now… please?”

Noelle was trembling, her whole body racked with pain.

But before she could brace herself, Yuri suddenly released his grip.

Thrown off balance by the sudden freedom, Noelle stumbled and crashed hard onto the concrete.

The cold, unyielding ground scraped deep cuts into her palms, making her gasp through clenched teeth.

But she didn’t dare provoke Yuri or Zinnia any further. Jaw set, she pushed herself upright, shot Zinnia a fierce glare, and hurried away, stumbling as she went.

As Noelle disappeared, the students who’d been covertly watching started drifting off, whispering among themselves.

“God, Noelle is unbelievable. She actually spread those nasty rumors about Zinnia? I’d have slapped her twice as hard.”

“And she had the nerve to say Dapper deserved it? Honestly, Zinnia went easy on her.”

“Don’t just blame Noelle. Isn’t Mr. Ford weird too? Noelle begs him a little and he just caves. Are we really supposed to believe she’s the only one chasing after him? He must be into her even a little.”

“I can’t believe I actually thought he’d stand up for Zinnia. Talk about disappointing.”

Their voices faded as the students from Veridian University moved away, gossip trailing behind them.

Hearing their words, Zinnia’s brow furrowed, a touch of worry darkening her eyes.

“Zinnia?”

Yuri noticed her distraction, stepped in front of her, and bent down so they were eye to eye.

“Hey, Cozy?”

He called her again, and only then did Zinnia snap back to herself.

“She’s a kid. I’m not. Anyway, you can’t call me that—especially not in public,” Zinnia warned, shooting him a look.

Yuri laughed, raising his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. Whatever Cozy says—no, I mean, whatever Dr. Quinn says, goes.”

Then his playful smile faded. “But seriously, what’s wrong? You’ve been frowning since earlier. Something on your mind?”

Zinnia hesitated, remembering how lost in thought she’d been. She shook her head, but the students’ gossip still echoed in her mind.

If Landon really got involved, Rosalie would be released for sure. And then what could she possibly do to stop him?

Would Dapper have to suffer again, just to protect her?

The thought made her chest tighten with frustration.

“It’s nothing,” she said at last, her voice tight. “Just wondering how far Landon’s willing to go to help Noelle this time.”