The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1471

What?

Forget about that loser and start dating again?

Who exactly was the loser supposed to be? And who was she supposed to date now?

Wait, was Kenneth actually talking to her?

“What... what did you say?”

Emily felt a little unsteady, so she instinctively placed her hands on Kenneth’s shoulders for support. Her legs were pressed together, toes gently pointed, the slit of her dress showing off one bare shoulder and a flash of her delicate collarbones.

Kenneth could barely keep his hand from tightening at her waist. His voice was low and rough. “There are so many good guys out there, Emily. You don’t have to get stuck on just one, especially if he didn’t treat you right in the first place.”

Emily blinked, her long lashes fluttering as she looked up at him, eyes bright with confusion.

Who was he talking about, exactly?

“What do you mean? I don’t get it.”

The way they were sitting, so close, felt way too intimate. Emily tried to stand up, feeling uncomfortable.

“Emily.” Kenneth didn’t let her move. He dropped his forehead against the curve of her neck, breaths coming quick and hot. “Just listen for a minute, okay?”

They were close enough now for Emily to feel Kenneth’s heart pounding against her. The way he spoke made her freeze up, limbs stiffening, her mind spinning.

What was he trying to say... and why was he holding her like this?

“I...” Kenneth let out a low chuckle, part sigh, part laugh, full of helplessness. In all his years, whether growing up with the Gates family or working in showbiz, he’d never really been scared of anything before.

Now, though, he was trying to open up to the girl he liked and for the first time, he was nervous to the point he couldn’t even get a full sentence out.

“You...” Emily could barely breathe, her heart hammering in her chest. “You’re saying you like me?”

Kenneth nodded, hands clenched so tight he could feel the sweat. He looked at her, eyes intense, voice urgent. “I know this is all out of nowhere. I’m sorry if I scared you.”

Emily wasn’t even sure how she felt. She’d just decided she was better off alone, and now here was Kenneth, confessing right out of the blue.

“You don’t have to say anything right now,” Kenneth said, searching her face, forcing out the words he’d been holding back. “And… if you don’t like me back, that’s okay.”

He drew in a shaky breath, locking eyes with her. “I just wanted you to know. I’m planning to pursue you, so... maybe just keep that in mind.”

Pursue her?

Emily sat there, stunned, her heart beating so fast she was sure he could hear it.