Chapter 169

The hashtag "#LucyWhiteAndMichaelJohnsonChildhoodFriends" instantly went viral across the internet.

As soon as Ryan Clark stepped into the inn, he exclaimed, "Ms. White, you and Mr. Johnson are trending!"

Everyone paused, pulling out their phones.

On the screen were photos of Lucy and Michael together from elementary school all the way through college.

"You two were so close as kids," William Jones couldn't help but remark.

Robert Lee pointed at one photo and laughed, "Looks like Mr. Johnson's been carrying Lucy's bags since childhood!"

In the picture, a teenage Michael, though stern-faced, had a tight grip on Lucy's backpack strap.

Michael stared at his phone, his eyes slightly red.

Long-buried memories came flooding back.

"She always tossed her backpack to me," he said hoarsely. "From first grade through high school—twelve whole years."

But now, he'd lost that girl.

Lucy swiped through the photos, her brow furrowed.

These pictures appearing now was suspicious.

From Michael revealing they were schoolmates to these photos surfacing—it had taken barely half an hour.

Too fast.

Almost as if it had been planned.

Ethan Smith gripped his phone, knuckles turning white.

This was no fan's doing.

Lily Green dug her nails into her palm, burning with jealousy.

How could Lucy have so many precious memories with Michael?

She instantly regretted her earlier comment.

"How sweet," she said with feigned innocence, glancing at Ethan.

Lucy smiled lightly. "Our families have been close for generations. Mrs. Johnson even wanted to adopt me as her goddaughter."

She emphasized the word goddaughter.

Michael stiffened.

She was drawing a line between them.

Lily's eyes lit up. "So Mr. Johnson would be like your brother?"

"Shut up," Michael snapped coldly. "You don't get to call her Mrs. Johnson."

That name belonged only to Lucy.

The atmosphere froze.

"Let's all get some rest—it's been a long day," Robert quickly intervened.

The director wiped his sweat. "Tomorrow's an off day. You're all free to do as you please."

Vanessa Knight tugged Lucy upstairs. "I'm exhausted. Let's go to bed."

The moment the livestream ended, Vanessa lowered her voice. "What's going on online?"

"No idea," Lucy said. "I'll look into it."

The first-floor reading nook was empty.

Michael pushed the door open.

"Wasn't me," he said bluntly.

Lucy nodded. "I know."

She'd never seen those photos before.

"Did you keep them?" she asked, meeting his gaze.