Chapter 96: I Have Never Seen Such a Shameless Person!
Chuck ignored Paige, who was getting worked up and nearly losing it.
In his opinion, this precocious little girl was getting a bit too cocky.
Sometimes you need to prune a young tree to help it grow straight.
It was also a good opportunity to test once again whether only by debating with little Sheldon could he achieve the system's double reward.
In the bathroom.
Monica turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on her face to calm herself down.
Just moments ago, she felt like she and Chuck were worlds apart—so distant that, according to Paige's words, they were from completely different universes.
This realization made her panic.
Because before tonight, she thought she and Chuck had made real progress.
This sudden reality check was completely overwhelming.
What should she do now?
Give up? She was reluctant and unwilling to do that.
If she didn't give up, she couldn't see any future with Chuck.
Just when she was feeling extremely conflicted and miserable, she suddenly heard Paige's childish but sharp voice from outside.
Monica was startled, but she didn't have time to dwell on her own problems. She quickly dried her face and rushed out, only to see that Paige's delicate, pretty face had lost its usual smug, knowing smile. Instead, she was practically screaming at Chuck, her face filled with anxiety, "Tell me!"
"What's wrong?"
Monica hurried over to ask. Seeing Paige like this, she completely believed her earlier implications about mental illness.
"Nothing,"
Chuck shrugged.
Still just a child after all. Knowing Chuck was probably teasing her, Paige tried to calm her desperate need to know the truth and resume her usual composure, enjoying the meal like Chuck.
But soon, she couldn't hold back anymore and began probing, trying to solve this mystery.
But Chuck was a master of poker faces, so her hope of extracting answers from him was pure fantasy.
The more she probed, the more frustrated she became, and the more frustrated she became, the more she needed the answer immediately. Finally, she revealed herself to be a true gifted child with all the associated issues.
Manic episode!
That's right!
It was a bipolar swing!
This is a common symptom that most people on the autism spectrum, including those with Asperger's, experience. It's a stress response to something beyond their control.
Even a mild-mannered, quiet guy like Reid has it, but he just hasn't reached his breaking point yet.
Compared to Chuck's childhood episodes, Paige's current state was nothing.
"Chuck."
Monica didn't have that experience or understanding. She looked at the strangely unfamiliar and agitated Paige with great worry, and could only look at Chuck with pleading eyes.
Chuck didn't want to upset her further, and looked at Paige: "Bazinga."
"I knew it!"
Upon hearing this, the manic Paige's expression immediately changed, but she regained her composure in an instant and smiled.
Monica watched Paige's expression shift instantly and fell silent.
The dinner party ended in this bizarre atmosphere.
Chuck drove Monica to take Paige back to her dorm. After getting Paige settled, Monica got into Chuck's car. After driving for a while, Monica finally couldn't help but ask, "What exactly are we doing?"
Chuck was completely straightforward and told Monica what he had previously explained to Reid.
Although Monica had been mentally prepared, she still couldn't help but feel devastated after hearing it.
She absolutely hated being treated like a lab experiment!
"Do you want to continue working on overcoming your social anxiety?"
Chuck dropped Monica off at her apartment and asked seriously from the sidewalk.
"..."
Monica looked at Chuck, who could still ask such a question at a time like this, and really didn't know how to react.
Monica's apartment.
"You're back?"
Rachel had already returned and looked over immediately after hearing the door.
"Yeah."
Monica nodded numbly.
"What's wrong?"
Rachel noticed something was off with Monica.
"Hm hmm hmm."
Monica forced a smile, then went straight into her bedroom, covering her mouth as she started crying.
"What happened?"
Rachel hurried after her.
Soon after, her close friends, having heard the news, gathered to comfort a heartbroken Monica.
Except for Phoebe, who was suspected of having cockroaches.
"Shameless! Absolutely shameless!"
Ross cursed angrily.
"Well, actually..."
Joey, a fellow science enthusiast, tried to speak up for Chuck, but when he met the others' glares, he immediately said seriously, "Shameless! I've never seen anyone so shameless!"
"The guy's got ice water in his veins,"
Chandler quipped. "Pretty rational, though."
Joey instinctively glanced at Chandler.
"Joey!!!"
Chandler rolled his eyes.
"Sorry!"
Joey grinned sheepishly.
But it wasn't his fault; Paige had just pointed out that particular issue tonight, and it had left quite an impression on him.
"What are you going to do now?"
Rachel asked with concern.
"What do you think? Of course she's dumping that shameless jerk!"
Ross grumbled. "Monica's my sister. How dare he use her as a test subject?"
"Don't be so harsh!"
Monica corrected, wiping her tears. "We're long-term research partners."
"...You're not giving up on him, are you?"
Ross stared at his sister, furious. "Don't you have any self-respect?"
"More self-respect than you co-parenting with Carol and Susan?"
Monica shot back.
"..."
Ross's face went completely dark.
Carol was his ex-wife, and Susan was the woman who had broken up his marriage and now wanted to co-parent his child. And yet, because of this unborn baby, he was forced to participate in this awkward family arrangement.
Someone who didn't know better might think Susan hadn't come to destroy his family, but simply to join it. Unfortunately, reality is often stranger than fiction.
Either way, he was deeply miserable about it.
"Something's not adding up here."
Chandler noticed something was wrong. After thinking for a moment, he pointed at Monica and asked, "You only mentioned that Chuck had the nerve to ask such an outrageous question under those circumstances, but you didn't say how you responded. Wait, what time did you get back?"
"Well..."
Monica was speechless.
"No way?"
Rachel, suddenly catching on, stared at Monica with wide eyes, incredulous. "So you were crying your eyes out, and we've been trashing him for the last hour, but before all that, you actually agreed to Chuck's outrageous proposal and slept with him?"
"...But you said I should work on my weaknesses!"
Monica felt a little guilty, but she tried to defend herself. "I was the one who invited him to dinner tonight. You know I have OCD, and when I get emotional..."
Everyone rolled their eyes and headed for the door.
"Chandler, Joey!"
"Ross!"
"Rachel!"
Monica, now thoroughly embarrassed, tried to call out to them, but no one paid any attention.
They had originally thought they were being good friends by comforting their heartbroken buddy, but now they suddenly realized that after all this effort, they were the ones who looked foolish.
(End of chapter)
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