Chapter 108

Calvert, who was sipping his milk at the next table, almost sprayed it out when he heard thatremark.

It sounded like she had given Everard a fortune or something.

Since they’d met she had given him what, three hundred bucks? But Everard had already handedher a cool three million Everard seemed just as taken aback by her question, his eyebrows lifting in surprise, “Why do youask?”

Cordelia decided to be straightforward, “Yesterday, my classmate said she wanted me to introduceyou to her.”

She paused for a moment, swallowing the fact that her friend was richer than her. She didn’t wanthim to be tempted.

But Everard just chuckled, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. His voice was low and enchanting ashe responded, “Sweetie, you think I’m with you for your money?”

For some reason, Cordelia’s heart raced, and she quickly averted her gaze.

After finishing breakfast and holding hands with Everard for a while, Cordelia stood up to head toclass. She grabbed her backpack with one hand, put on her baseball cap, and was about to leavewhen she remembered something. She dug into her backpack for her wallet.

Cordelia didn’t have many expenses, so there wasn’t much cash in her wallet. Counting it, shefound about a thousand dollars. She hesitated, feeling a pang of regret, but then resolutely took outall the money and placed it on the table. Then she said, “Treat yourself to something nice.”

Everard looked at the cash on the table, his expression a mix of emotions. He smiled as he pickedup the money and slipped it into his wallet. Seeing Cordelia still watching him, he hesitated beforeasking uncertainly. Thanks, boss?”

Cordelia looked away, feeling something off about that remark. As she turned to leave, she heardthe chair behind her screech. Everard stood and walked over to her.

Cordelia, puzzled, asked, “What are you doing?”

Everard’s hands were in his pockets as he slightly leaned in. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and then hechuckled, “Exercising my rights as your boyfriend.”

Cordelia was momentarily stunned, only to watch as he slowly bent toward her, his face comingcloser, her heartbeat racing uncontrollably.

She swallowed nervously, eyeing him with caution.

But his lips brushed past her cheek, whispering in her ear, “Just walking you to school, Sweetie.”

Cordelia let out a sigh of relief, her eyes clearing with understanding, “Oh, that’s it.”

Everard chuckled, “What did you think it was?”

As she walked ahead, she slowly replied, “I thought you were going to kiss me.”

Everard paused in his steps, “What?”

“Lucky you didn’t,” Cordelia said without looking back, or I would have had to punch you.”

Everard laughed again, realizing he was two steps behind Cordelia. He lengthened his stride,catching up to Cordelia without even trying.

The walk from Midnight Scent to school wasn’t long, usually a five–minute stroll, or faster if theyhurried.

Cordelia usually recited some classical literature while walking, but today her attention was drawn totheir shadows on the ground. The rising sun cast their entwined silhouettes, elongating them on thepavement.

12:50 The willow trees by the road were turning yellow, their branches awaying in the wind with a rustlingsound, adding a touch of warmth to the path It felt like only a blink, and they were at the school gates Cordelia checked the time, surprised tofind that their short journey had taken seven ininutes.

It was the peak hour for school arrivals, and luxury cars were lined up at the gates, with welldressed students stepping out one after another.

Standing inere, the two of them were rather conspicuous Just arrived at school, Hanley spotted them immediately. They seemed to glow in the sunlight, like agolden couple, but his face darkened at the sight.

At the same time, a car from the Griffin family pulled up, and Yates, engrossed in his phone with alollipop in his mouth, was about to head into school when he felt something. He stopped and lookedtowards the gate.

Cordelia, often oblivious to social cues but sensitive to being watched, felt eyes on her and turnedto look.

Before she could see who it was, Everard suddenly told her, “Don’t move.”

Cordelia froze, and then he leaned in, “There’s something on your cheek, and let me get it:

She tilted her head obediently. Everard admired her up close. Her skin was flawless, her large eyesslightly downcast, her delicate nose, and her lips tempting as cherries.

His finger gently traced her lips, then lingered there a moment longer than necessary.

After a brief wait, Cordelia spoke up, uncertain, “Is it hard to get off? Should I go wash my face?”

Everard withdrew his hand, assuring her with a smile, “It’s clean now.”

“Right, I’m off then.”

“Sure thing.”

Once she entered the school, Everard turned his gaze to the two not far away.

One looked sullen, the other defiant, both glaring at his hand.

Everard was quite pleased, a sharp glint in his eyes. He touched his fingers, still warm from herskin, to his lips, making the two boys‘ expressions change. Hanley looked defeated, and Yates,furious Everard’s sense of satisfaction swelled. He nonchalantly slid his hands into his pockets, ready toleave. As hel turned, Hanley walked up and said, “Hey.”

Everard paused, facing the man who had broken off his engagement with Cordelia. In a way, heowed him thanks. If Hanley hadn’t called off the engagement, Cordelia might have just settled. Itwas the breakup that had opened the door for him.

Hanley locked eyes with him, a challenge simmering between them, “You two are all wrong for eachother.”

Everard arched an eyebrow, his silence speaking volumes, an aura of intensity wrapping aroundhim like a cloak.

For a moment, Hanley felt the weight of that presence, but he quickly shook it off. This guy was justthe owner of a small store, so what was there to fear?

Summoning his courage, Hanley lifted his chin defiantly, “You’re nothing but a kept man, aplaything. You don’t even come close to what we have.”

Seeing Everard remain unfazed, Hanley blurted out, “Take, for instance, the upcoming birthdaybash for Hackett. It’s an exclusive event, only the crème de la crème get an invite. And someonelike you? Wouldn’t even make the guest list.”