A wealthy and handsome boyfriend, who so far seems to be upright and sincere in his dealings with her.
With an admired social status, he understands her tastes, transcending crude interests, emotional but not lustful. Shea Thorne, naturally, likes him; he's a worthy investment both emotionally and physically.
Such an understanding man is hard to find; she wishes she could immediately get a room. But within her, Ariana Thorne is currently struggling fiercely!
This feeling is not pain, but a deep-seated disgust that touches the soul. Ariana Thorne vehemently opposes Milo Sinclair being with her, inexplicably releasing a sense of disgust toward Shea Thorne from deep within.
"How about it? Be my girlfriend, and I can fulfill all your requests. I also promise not to deceive you for money or lust." Milo Sinclair's voice carries a deep allure. He understands young girls are cautious in love, afraid of deception and hurt. Shea Thorne's hesitation is within his expectations.
He can sense that she's not entirely unmoved. Maybe all it takes is a little push from him, and they could get closer.
"Here's the deal: if you later realize I'm not right for you, I'll compensate you adequately." Milo Sinclair empathetically promises, understanding how precious youth is to a girl, especially a girl of her caliber. He's willing to offer her some security without hesitation.
When the relationship comes to an end, money is the most comforting compensation.
In such a comfortable and cozy setting, anyone would be inclined to accept Milo Sinclair's offer, and Shea Thorne is no exception. Such a romantic date, with emotions perfectly heightened, ending the day together with a passionate evening would make it downright perfect.
Clearly, Milo Sinclair shares the same thought, but she can't move now. She opens her mouth without a sound, feeling unable to even move her fingers!
Ariana Thorne has completely taken control of her! Rendering her immobile!
...
"Ariana? Ariana?"
The car slowly stops. Outside the gates of F University, students come and go, playing around. However, the car is soundproof and quiet, isolating them from the outside world like two separate realms.
Milo Sinclair notices she's distracted, turns around, and crouches before her, making eye contact: "Did I scare you by being too direct? Or am I not doing well enough? Is it too fast for you, do you need time to take things slow?"
Shea Thorne wants to shake her head; she's quite satisfied, yet she remains immobile.
At this moment, she clearly feels herself being forced into the background, as Ariana Thorne gradually takes over her entire body.
As Ariana Thorne controls the body, facing Milo Sinclair's confession, she smiles somewhat melancholicly, with difficulty, saying: "No, it's just that you're too good. As a poor and penniless student, I'm not worthy of you."
These are Ariana Thorne's true feelings. Faced with Miles Crawford, she has adopted an almost humble mentality, truly believing Miles Crawford is good and she is unworthy of him, which is why she follows him like an eager admirer.
And confronted with Milo Sinclair, who is even better than Miles Crawford, Ariana Thorne knows well that he's someone she can't possibly match up to.
She's not as optimistic as Shea Thorne. She believes Milo Sinclair is just seeking temporary pleasure, and it won't be long before he tires of Shea Thorne and abandons her.
But she never considered that Shea Thorne, being open-minded, never aimed for an everlasting relationship with Milo Sinclair; she simply wants to "pick the high flower" for fun, and she might tire even faster than Milo Sinclair.
Two souls in the same body, Ariana Thorne is extremely conservative, a quintessential example of the old guard, while Shea Thorne is open and carefree, embracing love as it comes and goes, never believing in everlasting love.
"There's no such thing as suitable or not between us. I might be busy usually, but I promise my free time is all yours. We can listen to your favorite music together, and when I have time off, we can travel and find all the sounds you love." Milo Sinclair touches the diamond earrings on her earlobe, which is fleshy, with a cluster of laurel flowers adorned with gentle, elegant yellow diamonds.
He doesn't mention her future, knowing that he could arrange it. The disparity in social resources between them is vast, and he doesn't want her to feel he's controlling her life.
What he describes and the handsome man in front of her momentarily touches Ariana Thorne, but only briefly, as she regains her clarity.
"But, I have nothing." Sorrow and bitterness surge within, Ariana Thorne deeply self-deprecating: "I am worthless."
She may feel worthless, yet she has a beautiful face. Shea Thorne is simply an ordinary girl utilizing this beauty to win Milo Sinclair. Yet after long-term rejection from Miles Crawford, Ariana Thorne even feels her beauty is nonexistent.
These two extreme souls create two kinds of beauty within the same shell.
While Milo Sinclair loves Shea Thorne, Miles Crawford loathes Ariana Thorne.
"Then let's discover together. One day, you'll find you have unique qualities." Milo Sinclair smiles, noticing her emotional shift, puzzled by her recent confidence at the gathering in the face of others' compliments.
"How about it? I have one small request: as my girlfriend, you can't meet your male neighbor again. I didn't like seeing you in the online video today." This tactful statement in fact implies breaking off with Miles Crawford.
Ariana Thorne understands this deeply; Shea Thorne tries to break free from Ariana's restraint, eager to agree wholeheartedly with Milo Sinclair, yet she can't.
She's originally the body's owner, fitting more perfectly than Shea Thorne, but she can't win against her.
"Anything else? Just this one request?" Ariana Thorne atypically doesn't outright reject the request to break off with Miles Crawford.
Shea Thorne relaxes; Milo Sinclair asking about Miles Crawford in such a gentlemanly manner—he saw the video, he saw "her" desperately clinging to Miles Crawford—but he doesn't blame her for deceiving him or juggling multiple relationships, taking her to the hospital first and then offering wonderful experiences.
Ariana Thorne, he doesn't care that you're a bottom-of-the-barrel college student, he still says he likes you, what are you hesitating for?! Isn't he a hundred times better than Miles Crawford?!
Ariana Thorne's inconsistency deceives both Shea Thorne and Milo Sinclair. He assumes she's just shy about admitting it, deliberately asking, then saying, "I live in The Hallowed Grove, better environment than here. Don't go back to school today, and later move over to stay with me, okay?"
The Hallowed Grove, in Kingscrest, is a top-notch villa zone, inhabited by the wealthy and noble, with large gardens and great privacy.
There, she could practice piano anytime without worrying about disturbing others or traveling long distances. The dormitory conditions at F University are too poor.
"If you think it's too far, I can also buy a house near F University, in your name, so you can feel at ease living there." Considering Shea Thorne, a young girl may not easily let go, so Milo Sinclair proposes to buy her a house.
Such a proposal poses no problem for thirty-year-old Milo Sinclair. He feels he's accommodating her.
No problem for the Shea Thorne within Ariana Thorne either—she is eager to throw herself at Milo Sinclair, deferring her high return; no need for a house, spend one night at The Hallowed Grove and consider it a hotel stay—such a deal is lucrative, isn't it?
But which presents a problem for Ariana Thorne, as he uses money to insult her integrity.
Struck directly on the vital spot by these words, she becomes agitated, pushing Milo Sinclair—a crouching man before her—who was unprepared, causing his head to bump against the car roof.
"Ariana?" Milo Sinclair questions.
"Don't call my name! I knew you didn't have good intentions! I tell you, I reject you! I won't break off with Miles Crawford!" She's nearly breaking down. After pushing him, she immediately opens the door and gets out.
"Ariana?" Milo Sinclair responds quickly, grabbing her: "What's wrong with you? If you feel this progress is too fast, we can slow down."
"No need! Let's not see each other again in the future. I only love Miles Crawford; I'm his bride-to-be, and we will get married!" Ariana Thorne shakes off Milo Sinclair's hand, completes getting off the car, closes the door, and dashes into the school, running fast, afraid of being chased.
Shea Thorne is anxious, yet helpless.
Just moments ago, Ariana Thorne was clearly moved. Why did she suddenly refuse?
Before she could ask Ariana, Shea Thorne is overwhelmed by the painful memories flooding Ariana's mind.
It turns out everything was justifiable.