Hayden finally realized that Shelly was not joking.

"Who told you to do this?" Hayden's voice grew colder.

Shelly had always been obedient and compliant, so Hayden believed that someone must have influenced her to break up with him.

"No one. I just realized that the gap between us is too big. Even if we're together now, we won't be happy in the long run," Shelly explained. "Hayden, I'm sure there are many women better than me around you. Try to interact with others more, and you'll see that I'm just an ordinary person who isn't fit to be by your side."

"Nonsense!" Hayden shouted in anger. "Where are you now? We can't discuss this over the phone. Come back, and we'll talk face to face."

"I'm not coming back," Shelly immediately refused without a second thought. "I plan to study abroad and won't be coming back for a while. You are all outstanding, and I want to improve myself."

"Can't you study and improve yourself while being with me?" Hayden retorted.

"Even if I improve,