CHAPTER 24 Unexpected News

　　Wren's POV

　　Now that I've heard all of this, I'm not as shocked as I thought I would be. Ever since Ralph blamed Clover for everything last night, I've lost any positive feelings or expectations I had for him.

　　"No! Wren," Ralph suddenly reached out, as if he wanted to grab me, but I slapped his hand away and avoided him. He paused, slowly retracting his hand. "She said she wanted me to help her pick a birthday gift for you; it's not..."

　　He trailed off, not finishing his sentence.

　　Disappointed, I turned my face away, no longer looking at him.

　　Why is he so eager to push all the blame onto Clover, who has already disappeared without a trace?

　　Is it because doing so would alleviate his guilt?

　　Hayden interjected, "Not what?"

　　From his smile alone, I could tell that he was intentionally asking this.

　　Ralph remained silent as Hayden provocatively added, "Not a 'date,' is that what you wanted to say, brother?"