Chapter 60
By the time dinner wrapped up, it was nearing 8 p.m.
As Stellar and the others stepped out of the restaurant, they were met with a steady downpour.
Most of them took a cab to get there.
Since they all lived on campus, they planned to head back together, except for Stellar, who didn’t stay in the
dorms.
“You guys go ahead,” she said quickly. “My place isn’t on the way. I’ll just call a ride on my own.”
Lilian hesitated, clearly worried. “Are you sure? I can wait with you-”
“I’m feeling a little dizzy after drinking,” Vivian cut in impatiently, rolling her eyes. “Can we just go? She’s a grown woman. I think she can manage calling a cab by herself.”
She bit down on the words “grown woman” with deliberate emphasis, her meaning clear.
Stellar pressed her lips together, understanding the jab but choosing to ignore it.
“But-” Lilian started, still reluctant.
Stellar gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s fine. I’ll text you once I’m home.”
Only then did Lilian let out a small sigh and follow the others into their cab.
With the group gone, Stellar was left standing alone outside the restaurant, waiting for a ride.
The rain made it even harder to catch a cab, and just as she was checking her phone for another option, a sleek, familiar car pulled up in front of her.
The tinted window lowered slightly, and under the neon lights, Stephen’s impossibly sharp, striking features
came into view.
“Heading home?”
His deep voice cut through the sound of rain, low and slightly distorted by the downpour.
“Get in. I’ll drop you off–it’s on the way.”
Stellar blinked, slightly surprised as she arched a brow.
She had initially planned to refuse, but when she glanced down at her ride–hailing app, she saw the long queue ahead.
If she waited any longer, she’d probably end up catching a cold.
Weighing her options, she decided against unnecessary stubbornness.
“Then I’ll take you up on the offer. Thanks, Senior Ward.”
She stepped forward, pulled open the door, and slid into the passenger seat.
The warmth inside the car was a welcome contrast to the biting cold outside, instantly easing the chill from her body.
She turned toward Stephen with a genuine smile.
“Thanks again. If you ever need a favor, feel free to ask–I owe you one,”
1/2
She was the ope to take landness for granted.
+25 BONUS
Whttowerius reasons for helping her so many times, sheqully intended to return the favor it theo pocoly
Of course the t was assuming he didn’t mind the damage to hus reputation.
Stephen’s £30 was deep and unreadable as he studied it before remarking, almost of handedly.
“Not Entac pie theeld shoulder anymore?”
Stellar blinkedincat coitcuand
When had she ever tituintocally ignored him?
Then, it clicked he was renting to their last encounter at school.
She exhaled fightiyaada answe honestly, ou’re overthinking it I just didn’t want to stir up unnecessary rumors by talking too mucitharthwooon campus.
“If you don’t mind, Senior Wand would like to interact with you more. You’re Professor Stone’s inost valued student, and your achievements sppekortheniseives, there’s a lot I could learn from you.
Her tone was neither every teenandatan—just poised, professional, and matter–of–fact, as if they were simply to colleagues exchanging word
It was the kind of response Stephenhbinh Ecopected.
Once again, she wasn’t reacting the way thelibccatisshe would.
His gaze lingered on her for a moment unreaddalle.
Instead of awkward silence, their conversanoon muara towed into academic topics.
The discussion carried them through the entire did and engaging, without a single lull.
By the time they arrived at her villa, Stephen realino dig surprising—he wasn’t quite ready for the
conversation to end
Just as Stellar was about to step out of the carp Stephenadaniyenambered something.
Today’s Bonus Offer
