?<strong>Chapter 477:</strong>


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    Ken took the pills silently, swallowing them without a word, his expression remote. Ferdinand took in his pale face, the tightened jaw, and the barely concealed pain lingering in his eyes as Ken sank onto the sofa.


    “The weather feels like a damp nket.”


    The humidity was so thick that it seemed to press down on everything, even Ken’s mood. His throbbing headache drummed steadily in his temples, mirroring the relentless heaviness in the air.


    Across from him, Ferdinand’s expression was a mixture of exasperation and humor as he shook his head.


    “Well, congrattions, you’ve officially lost your marbles.” After handing Ken a bottle of painkillers, he paused with sudden realization. “Wait. Don’t tell me… you actually asked Allison if she liked you, and she straight-up shot you down?”


    Ferdinand’s smirk grew as he convinced himself he was right.


    Ken, sitting slouched on the sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window, seemed cloaked in shadow despite the golden light spilling over the city outside. He gave a faint sigh, almost merging with the darkness. “Shut up,” he muttered.


    But Ferdinand’s teasing had already left its mark, stirring emotions Ken had been trying to ignore.


    Did she really not care about him?


    He reyed the memories they’d shared, the closeness they’d built that seemed to go beyond casual. They’d shared more than just goodpany; it felt like a connection that went deeper. Could that have happened if she’d felt nothing at all? After all, she had so many admirers. She could have found another man easily if she wanted, but she didn’t. And yet, she was acting distant from him, even outright refusing his offer to apany her to Vrining.


    So, was it all just a game to her?


    Conflict and doubt tangled in Ken’s chest, his thoughts a chaotic storm that only worsened the throbbing in his head. He lowered his eyes, concealing his expression beneath a quiet intensity.


    The silence in the room thickened, but Ferdinand, oblivious or perhaps just stubborn, continued,pletely undeterred by Ken’s terse response.


    “Looks like I’m onto something. ying hard to get can push people away, sure. But you need to stir her emotions, get Ms. rke to actually show her cards.” Ken’s eyes closed as he replied, voice low and cold, “Your approach is useless. She didn’t react at all.” Every subtle attempt he’d made to gauge her feelings had backfired, pushing her further from him.


    Ferdinand shrugged with a dismissive sigh. “Then maybe you weren’t pressing hard enough?” The morning light streamed in from one side of the room, bright against the thick shadows cast by ckout curtains on the other. Even Ferdinand’s voice carried a note of weariness as he continued, “Why not give it onest shot? If that doesn’t get her attention, then maybe… maybe she just doesn’t feel the same way.” He let out another sigh, unable to hold back. “Besides, there’s no shortage of options. Find someone who’s worth your time, and let this go.”


    As soon as Ferdinand said this, he sensed a chilling atmosphere, an inexplicable coldness. There was silence.


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