Chapter 53: The Sarcastic Stella Winters
The assistant standing next to Adrian Kane heard this, and his jaw dropped. Never mind that his boss was the young CEO of a massive conglomerate like the Kane Group; his face alone was enough to make countless women flock to him.
And yet, this high school girl was completely unimpressed. She even thought his boss was clingy and classless.
’How impressive. As expected of the person who saved the CEO’s life—truly one of a kind.’
"Chloe, you’ve misunderstood. I just feel that, since you saved my life... without you, I might not have survived. No matter how you look at it, a life-saving debt can’t be brushed off with just two million, right?"
"As far as I’m concerned, two million is enough. So, keep your distance." After saying her piece, Chloe York didn’t linger, merely shooting Adrian Kane a warning glance to not follow her again.
Watching Chloe York leave, the assistant spoke up. "Sir, this is what’s been happening with Miss York these past few days. Someone took a picture of me escorting her into the car the other day and posted it on the confession wall, claiming she has a sugar daddy. Our investigation revealed that the person who secretly took the photo was Brooke York, the York Family’s real daughter."
The assistant handed a tablet to Adrian Kane. Adrian looked at the picture on the screen, which showed Brooke York in a school uniform, smiling sweetly. "She certainly looks harmless."
The assistant glanced at Adrian in surprise. He had been with Adrian for half a year, and based on his understanding of him, Adrian wasn’t the type to comment on a girl’s appearance!
After walking some distance, Chloe York looked back. Seeing that Adrian Kane hadn’t followed her, she breathed a sigh of relief. ’Oh, Chloe York, the original Chloe York who shares my name, please don’t blame me for saving Adrian Kane. If I had known he was the second male lead, I absolutely would not have saved him.’
Chloe felt much better after that. A ten-minute walk brought her to the night market.
The night market was bustling with activity. There were at least several dozen stalls selling all kinds of snacks, their aromas fragrant and their colors tantalizing.
She bought some oden, grilled sausages, grilled duck intestines, grilled squid, grilled oysters, fried potatoes, and a cup of milk tea, then found a spot to sit down and dig in.
She now understood that she needed to treat herself from time to time. The enjoyment she experienced was what truly belonged to her, what was real.
The people around her were stunned to see a single girl eating so much. They kept glancing over, wondering if she could really finish everything she had bought.
As they watched, she really did finish everything. And as if that wasn’t enough, she went and bought a few skewers of bobo chicken and started eating those too.
’To eat that much and still be so thin... they were truly jealous.’
Unaware that she had become the object of several girls’ envy, Chloe, full and satisfied, decided to head back.
’This feeling of being completely full without having to worry about gaining weight is just the best!’
Back home, after a hot shower, Chloe York received a call from Miles York.
Staring at the incessantly ringing phone, Chloe didn’t want to answer, but it seemed like the person on the other end had no intention of stopping.
With no other choice, she answered. The moment the call connected, Miles York’s voice came through. "Chloe, dear, why don’t you come home tomorrow? You saved Principal Walton’s child, and they want to come over to present you with a commendation banner. The child really wants to see you too, to thank you in person and give you the banner."
"There’s no need. Just have Principal Walton bring it to school. I can just go to his office and get it."
’Go back? Are you kidding me? If I went back, I bet he’d find a way to keep me from leaving.’
"Chloe, are you never coming back? This is your home, the home where you grew up!" Seeing that Chloe was dead set against returning, Miles York started playing the sympathy card.
"Even though you’re not my biological daughter, in my heart, I’ve long considered you my own. When you act like this, Dad gets really sad."
"It’s not that I’m not coming back, I’m just really busy studying for the college entrance exams right now. Okay, that’s enough talk. I have to go study." Chloe hung up as soon as she finished speaking.
’What a wolf in sheep’s clothing. If he weren’t still my legal guardian, I would have blocked him ages ago.’
Hearing the dial tone, Miles York’s expression instantly darkened.
He had never imagined that the person he had raised would one day give him such an attitude, and even hang up on him.
Looking at the commendation banner in front of him, Miles York swept it to the floor. The banner unfurled, revealing the words on it: For righteous and heroic action, for kindness and bravery. To Chloe York. With thanks from: Jordan Walton, Holly Hughes, and Sophie Walton.
The weekend passed quickly. On Monday morning, after drinking glass after glass of water, Chloe York felt increasingly full of energy.
"Chloe, this is for you!" Just as she reached the school gate, Chloe York ran into Zoe Roland, who handed her a box tied with a ribbon.
"What is it?"
"It’s cream mochi I made myself."
"You know how to make cream mochi?" Chloe was shocked. After all, Zoe looked like a pampered little princess; the type who would normally eat desserts at a fancy cafe, not make them herself.
"Yes, a little. I can also make tiramisu and cupcakes. If you ever want to eat them, I can make them for you." Zoe Roland looked at Chloe with anticipation, hoping she would agree to let her bring her food often.
"Oh, is that so? Thanks!" Chloe York reached out and took the small gift box. "But you’re a first-year now, so your studies are important. You don’t have to make things for me."
"It’s okay, it doesn’t take much time. Besides, I really enjoy making these desserts, but I never know who to give them to."
The two of them chatted as they walked inside, completely oblivious to Stella Winters following them a short distance behind. Stella’s expression, however, was anything but pleasant.
They parted ways when they reached the fork in the hallway. The first-years were on the first floor, while the third-years were on the third floor.
"Chloe, if you try it and like it, just let me know whenever you’re craving some more, and I’ll make it for you again."
Seeing how insistent she was, Chloe didn’t refuse. ’Besides, I can just not say anything,’ she thought. "Okay, I’ll let you know when I want some."
"Okay, bye!"
"Bye!"
Zoe Roland went into her classroom, and Chloe went upstairs to her own without lingering.
When she got to her seat in the classroom, the desk next to her, Stella Winters’ spot, was still empty.
Placing the small gift box down, Chloe took out a practice test and started working on it. Even without a mission from the system, she had to constantly be doing practice problems. It was the only way to solidify her knowledge and master more of the material.
"Ooh, who’s that from? And what is it? It even has a little bow."
Stella Winters’ voice came from beside her. Chloe stopped working on her test and pushed the small gift box onto Stella’s desk. "Cream mochi. You can have it."
"Where’d you get it?" Stella asked, setting down her schoolbag.
"It’s from the girl I saved on Friday."
"Oh, is that so? That doesn’t seem right. She gave it to you to thank you for saving her. If I eat it, she’ll probably be upset."