Chapter 57
Marguerite waited for George on the sofa downstairs. She replied to a message from Cedric asking when she would arrive.
[Be there soon p>
Cedric replied quickly: [Okay, your humble servant will await you at the school gate!] ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ.net
Marguerite laughed again. [No need. I’m driving, so I’ll go straight in. Can you save two good seats for me p>
Cedric: [Two p>
Marguerite: [Yeah, I’m bringing a friend p>
Cedric: [Okay then p>
Footsteps echoed from the staircase, and Marguerite looked up. The handsome man had changed out of his white shirt and trousers and was now wearing a white sweatsuit that made him look fresh and clean. His soft hair was unstyled, falling casually across his forehead, and his silver-rimmed glasses gave him a boyish, scholarly air.
For a second, Marguerite’s heart skipped a beat. She was suddenly reminded of the thin, quiet boy from her school days. Eleven years had passed, and he had changed so much. And yet, somehow, he hadn’t changed at all.
“With your refined, otherworldly good looks, when you entered Pinecrest High p>
Being stared at so intently by the girl, George’s whole body tensed, his back stiffening. His voice was a little unnatural when he spoke. “Let’s go p>
The butler noticed, with some amusement, that his employer was walking with his arms and legs on the same side, completely out of sync.
“Mr. Spencer could pass for a high school senior today!” Marguerite teased as they got into the car. It was a discreet, silver Alphard. The driver was off today, so George was driving himself.
He turned the steering wheel with one hand, his voice smooth and pleasant. “As long as no one mistakes me for your father p>
After eleven years, with wealth and power at his command, he had become much more confident. But the thought of walking beside her brought back all his old insecurities. Now, their age difference was another insurmountable barrier. To be able to joke about it was a big step.
There was a special magic about Stella. The longer you spent with her, the more you relaxed. She was like a sun, and even the darkest corners, when touched by her light, could sprout new life.
Marguerite burst out laughing. “Don’t even say it!” In his tailored white suit, he did look mature and imposing. But in a sweatsuit, his whole aura softened, the silver glasses adding a scholarly touch.
Her eyes fell on the bandage on the back of his right hand. “Have you changed that bandage p>
George shook his head. “No p>
Marguerite: “Then pull over. I’ll run back and get you one to change it. Bandages should be changed daily p>
George glanced at her. “No need, there are some in the car. I’ll change it myself when we park p>
Marguerite looked around. “Where? I’ll change it for you. It’s no trouble.” The road was straight and wide, and since it was Sunday, there wasn’t much traffic.
She found a new bandage in the glove compartment. She took the man’s cool right hand and peeled off the old bandage. The two small
puncture wounds had alreadint
Scabbed over, surrounded by a purple bruise. It still looked painful. Cóntent
“You don’t have to wear one now, but it does look a little ugly,” Marguerite.said, looking up at him as he drove. The man was steering with one hand, and sunlight streamed through the window illuminating his handsome face. The small, tea-colored mole by his nose seemed to glow, giving him a soft, irresistible charm.
Marguerite found herself staring, mesmerized.
“Put it on. I’m very particular about my appearance,” he said with a slight smile, turning to her as they stopped at a red light.
Marguerite snapped out of her daze and quickly tore open the new bandage. She hadn’t seen his Adam’s apple bob, nor the obsessive look in his eyes as he watched her.
Stella is holding my hand again!
After applying the new bandage, Marguerite held the old one in her hand. “Is there a trash bag in the car p>
George turned his hand over, his long, slender fingers curling slightly. “Give it to me. I’ll throw it out when we get out p>
“There are drinks and cut fruit in the back seat. Help yourself if you want p>
Marguerite looked back, and her eyes lit up. “George, you really know how to live p>
For the rest of the drive, Marguerite chattered on about how much Northpine had changed. George responded to everything, his voice always gentle and smiling.
They were just one traffic light away from the school gate. Marguerite, feeling thirsty, fell silent and opened one of the drinks in the car. It was a tart lime juice, her favorite. She had also made short work of the box of cut fruit.
“Ding p>
George’s phone, resting on the center console, buzzed. They were waiting at a red light, so he picked at up. It was a message. It wasn’t the first one; several had come in, but he Had Been so engrossed in their conversation that he hadn’t noticed. Now that she was quiet, he finally heard it.
As he read the message, his gentle smile vanished, his eyes turning cold and dark.
Half an hour ago: [Mr. Spencer, Joshua flew back to Northpine this morning p>
Fifteen minutes ago: [He is now on his way to Pinecrest High p>
Five minutes ago: [Joshua is almost at Pinecrest High p>