Their romance storyline only begins on the second playthrough

"I just don't want to see my past self."

The girl fell silent.

Recalling Shirley's hostility, and then thinking of Rhodes's kindness.

My mind went silent for a few seconds.

...

...

The struggle finally led her to speak:

Is it really that bad?

"Hmm... Don't try, and absolutely don't back down."

“You’re right.” Ivina stood up and broke free from their caresses. “Natalie is a good person.”

"Wait, what about me? Am I not good enough?" Felicity tilted her head.

"Felicity is a good person too, you two are both good people."

Ivina did not linger.

After saying this, she walked straight toward Xia Li with an air of grandeur.

"Huh?" Felicity froze on the spot, then finally leaned against the pillar helplessly. "That's great... I'm a good person who can stand on my own now."

“Yes, Hiti is already a very perceptive person.” Natalie rested her chin on her hand, looking calmly at Ivina.

Chapter 184 Cecilia's Final Game Begins

Ivina approached step by step, her mind filled with conflicting thoughts.

It has to be said.

Going back is not an option.

You either like it or you don't.

Whenever I recall things that make me happy, the desires and greed in my heart will involuntarily burst forth.

We cannot simply hand it over to someone else, nor can we let it go.

The stories Natalie and the others told only highlighted this point, and even if they hadn't said it, I would have inevitably let it out a few hours later.

Therefore, even if the other party criticizes you with a critical attitude, you cannot back down.

The last rays of the sun were fading, and the light that had shone on the broken glass began to thin and dissipate, falling onto them.

Ivina's footsteps trod upon the shattered, rippling light, drawing ever closer to Shirley—

"What are you doing?" Shirley looked up at Ivina, who was walking towards her, and her face froze.

"Have you known Rhodes for a long time?"

"Of course, the officer and I have known each other since our previous life."

Ivina's voice was high-pitched:

"You're wrong. In fact, in this lifetime, you've only met him a few times."

"Even your memories are chaotic and inaccurate. How do you know that in your so-called previous life, you really knew Rhodes for a long time?"

"Ha—!" Shirley stood up instantly and hurriedly replied, "Of course Shirley knows! We must have known each other for a long time, because we defeated the Necromancer God and the Dragon God together, and we've been to many places. The commander knows that too."

"Ivina, what exactly are you trying to say? Shirley and the commander have known each other for a very, very long time...!"

Ivina tilted her head, looking like a hoodlum, with her arms crossed and one leg straddling her chest.

Although her white dress and petite figure made her seem less powerful, the calmness that flashed in her scarlet eyes exuded an aura of dominance.

"Really? That's perfect. Since you've known Rod for so long, just get straight to the point. I'm here to argue with you."

what?

What does it mean to argue?

"Arguing? Are you crazy?"

"Because you want to argue with me, I'm here to argue with you. Is there a problem?"

"Shirley never intended to argue with you, what are you talking about?"

"You just asked me about my relationship with Rod. Is there any difference between skipping that question and arguing with you directly or answering it first and then arguing? We're going to argue anyway, so I might as well just start now, hmph."

Shirley paused, her glass-like hair swaying gently twice, her expression changing at the same time:

"You're finally going to have a proper chat with Shirley."

"I don't want to have a proper conversation."

"Although you've explained it very clearly, I still want to clarify this issue."

"What exactly is your relationship with your superior?"

This was the third time she had asked that question.

She wouldn't ask a fourth time, or rather, Ivina wouldn't let her ask a fourth time.

"Everyone has someone they like, and everyone's emotions intertwine at different times."

Ivina raised the hand with the ring on it. "This is the ring he gave me."

Instantly, the scene fell into absolute silence.

Because Ivina didn't need to explain or prove anything; she only needed to raise her hand and tell Shirley the truth, and everything became so clear.

“You…” Shirley’s lips trembled as she stared intently at the ring on Ivina’s ring finger, her eyes filled with emotion.

But strangely, she simply exhaled, "Shirley understands, it was just as I thought."

"Hmph, it's your own fault for asking."

"I want to ask you, do you like your superior?"

Ivina's pride vanished, replaced by a slight pause, "This isn't obvious..."

So, do you like it?

Ivina's words caught in her throat as she gritted her teeth, "Saying you like something is an embarrassing thing, okay? Can you please not say it like it's something you can just say casually?"

So, do you like it or not?

"I like it! You've already explained it so clearly, why are you still asking?"

"She's the tsundere type. Shirley made a note of it." Shirley took out a small notebook, wrote a few words in it, closed the notebook, and put it in her pocket.

She quickly looked up at Ivina again, "We'll be fighting tonight, so we'll deal with our issues later."

"In this battle, Shirley will protect you just the same way, because you are one of us now."

"As for what happens next, I will definitely continue to argue with you and try to understand what kind of person you really are."

Ivina's ears were still flushed from being forced to say "I like you," but she looked away. "I'm not stupid. Of course I know what's important tonight."

"You want to understand me, but I don't want to understand you. I just want to live quietly and enjoy the happiest things."

“You like to run away, and Shirley has taken note of that.” Shirley nodded again. “Unfortunately, Shirley won’t listen to you.”

“Hey—!” Ivina’s displeasure was evident, but at that moment, Rhodes’ voice interrupted her rebuttal.

"You lot," Rod's voice came from afar;

"Hmm!" Ivina turned her head to look at Rhodes who was walking towards her.

At that moment, Rhodes strode toward the two of them and finally stood in front of them.

Shirley looked at the calm Rhodes, and instantly felt a little fearful as she saluted:

"Sir! We didn't argue or say anything... Shirley just wanted to find out if Ivina was your girlfriend. Now Shirley has figured it out, so she will protect her!"

“Yes, yes, nothing’s wrong,” Ivina echoed.

Rhodes looked at the two girls who hadn't complained to him even at this moment and fell silent.

He was certainly listening the whole time.

Even while he was discussing how to arrange forces to surround Cecilia, it was impossible for him not to notice the conflict taking place on their side.

But... no matter how much conflict there was, no matter what was said, no one said anything like "it's all Rhodes' fault."

He exhaled softly, his voice gentle:

Are you two idiots?

"Huh? I'm not stupid! That damned Rod..."

"Sir, we reject the order."

Rod stretched out his hands and placed them on their heads. "If it's my problem, come to me and vent. It's pointless to bring up the other person."

Am I some kind of terrible person?

“No…” Shirley lowered her head.

"Just because you don't want me to be bothered? But all these things actually happened because of my decisions."

"Since it's my fault, then just come and torture me properly."

“Ivina, you can just ask me the same questions you did when we left the Duke’s mansion, asking why there are so many people again.”

“Shirley can also come and look down on me, asking why people I’ve never seen before have appeared.”

Feeling the warmth of Rhodes's hand, Ivina's breathing became much warmer. She pursed her lips and said, "Then, I want compensation?"

"Yes, of course."

"I want lots and lots of compensation."

"Of course."

"Ha, whatever, that wretched Rhodes can't give me anything anyway." Ivina raised her eyes and secretly looked at Rhodes.

Rod replied in a hoarse, helpless voice, "Yes, it's possible."