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Chapter 24 - Chapter 23 — Operation Tease Leo

At the cafeteria.

Leo Dao enters the cafeteria with his tray of food and instantly senses danger. Two girls sit across the table, whispering and grinning suspiciously, while a cold-faced boy lounges beside him like a silent executioner.

He narrows his eyes: "Hold on. What do you mean 'the usual'? What are you people planning to do to me?"

Skylar presses her fingers to her lips, trying to stifle a laugh: "Nothing serious. Just a little friendly experiment."

"Every time you say that, something bad happens," Leo mutters, cautiously sitting down.

Sunny leans forward: "Leo, do you know what your biggest weakness is?"

"Let me guess. My kindness? My trusting nature?"

"No. It's that you're too honest," Julian replies coolly.

Leo glares: "That's not a weakness. That's a virtue."

"Exactly," Skylar says sweetly: "That's why we've prepared a challenge to celebrate it."

Julian slides a folded paper toward Leo: "One simple rule: Don't lie. No matter what."

Leo hesitates: "What's the catch?"

"If you lie, even once, we win," Sunny grins.

"And if I don't?"

Julian meets his gaze: "Then you get the dessert on my tray."

Leo peers at the forbidden treasure—a soft, creamy cheesecake topped with golden mango cubes. He swallows: "Deal."

Skylar claps her hands: "Great! Question one: Have you ever worn socks with holes and pretended it was fashion?"

Leo huffs: "Of course not."

Julian raises an eyebrow: "You hesitated."

"I did not."

Sunny pulls out her phone: "Evidence."

A photo appears on screen: Leo in torn socks, posing dramatically.

"…That was for a school play."

"Nope," Skylar laughs: "You lost!"

"Wait, that wasn't a lie! That really was for a—"

Julian smirks: "Too late."

Leo buries his face in his hands: "You guys are evil."

Sunny pats his shoulder: "Only mildly."

Skylar leans across the table, eyes sparkling: "Round two?"

Leo looks like he's reconsidering every life choice he's ever made.

"Fine. Bring it."

Skylar grins: "Would you say Nathan Dang is hotter than Julian?"

Leo's jaw drops: "What kind of question is that?!"

"A truth test question," Julian answers dryly.

Leo's eyes dart between them: "I plead the fifth."

Skylar gasps: "That's not an answer!"

"It's a survival tactic."

Sunny snickers: "Just answer. We won't judge you… much."

Leo groans: "Ugh, fine! Nathan's hot, okay? Happy? He's got that cool older guy vibe."

Julian raises a brow, visibly amused: "Interesting."

Leo points at him: "You—stop looking smug."

Skylar fans herself dramatically: "Spicy! I did not expect that honesty."

"Neither did I," Leo mumbles: "Can I have the cheesecake now?"

"You lied earlier, remember?" Sunny teases.

"I didn't! That sock thing was misunderstood context!"

Julian pushes his tray toward Leo: "Here. Take it anyway. You lasted longer than expected."

Leo's eyes light up: "Really?"

Skylar winks: "Consider it a reward for being our favorite victim."

He picks up the dessert like it's a sacred artifact: "This better not be poisoned."

"Only with love," Sunny says innocently.

Julian leans back: "And mild humiliation."

Leo stares at them: "You people need a hobby."

Skylar grins: "You are our hobby."

Leo finally takes a bite of the cheesecake and closes his eyes: "Okay… this was worth it."

Skylar rests her chin on her palm, voice light but deadly: "So… round three?"

Leo chokes again, nearly dropping his fork.

Sunny grins. Julian smirks.

Operation Tease Leo: Mission Accomplished.

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