Chapter 452
Owen grinned. “That’s just how I am.”
Aria teased, “Do you act like this around your family too?”
“Not with them,” Owen replied.
He was only this cheeky when he was with her.
Aria fell silent for a moment. “I need to take Lily to her exam tomorrow, so I should get some sleep,” she said.
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“I’ll come with you,” Owen blurted out. Then, realizing what he’d said, he quickly added, “I mean, I’ll come with you tomorrow to take Lily to her exam.”
Aria couldn’t help but smile at how nervous he looked. “I know,” she said.
Owen let out a relieved sigh. “So, does this mean you’ve forgiven me?”
Aria looped her arms around Owen’s neck, leaned in and planted a light kiss on his cheek. “I’m not mad,” she murmured. “Time for bed. Good night.”
Owen nodded, a little dazed, a big grin spreading across his face. “Good night.”
Early the next morning, after breakfast, Aria double–checked Lily’s exam supplies. “Got everything?” she asked.“All set,” Lily replied.
Owen opened the shoe cabinet and took out their shoes. “Let’s put on our shoes and head out.”
“Okay,” Lily gave him a meaningful look and caught herself mid–word. “I mean, thanks, Owen.”
Owen caught that look and grinned even wider, clearly delighted. “You’re welcome,” he said warmly.
Most students from Larkridge High School were assigned to take the exam at their own school, and Lily was no exception.
The three of them set off and soon arrived at Larkridge High School.
Lily took a deep breath. She turned to them and said, “Aria, Owen, I’m heading in.”
“Okay, good luck,” Owen nodded.
A crowd of anxious parents had gathered at the school entrance, fussing over their kids with last–minute reminders.
Aria thought for a moment and added, “Just take it easy–no need to stress. It’s not like our family’s short on money anyway.”
A parent overheard what Aria said and turned to their own child, “Our family’s well–off too, but you still need to study hard. If you score 1550 points on the SATS, Dad will buy you a Porsche Cayenne–paid in full!”
“Thanks, Dad!” The boy grinned, then spotted Lily and waved eagerly. “Hey Lily, looks like we’re in the same exam room–good luck!”
Lily smiled and said, “Thanks. Good luck!”
The boy’s father frowned disapprovingly. “Stop it–just focus on your own exam. Didn’t you hear what her sister said? Their family’s loaded, so even if she bombs the test, it’s no big deal for them.”
The boy rolled his eyes at his father. “Come on, Dad, don’t be ridiculous. Lily’s not going to mess up the exam.“”
His father snorted, “You never know.”
Aria’s expression darkened.
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09:43 Tue, 24 Jun
Chapter 452
Owen shot the man a cold, disapproving glare.
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The boy rolled his eyes in exasperation. “Dad, ever since Lily transferred to Larkridge High School, she’s been the undisputed top student. She’s never scored below 1550 out of 1600 on any exam!”
The boy’s father’s eyes widened. “Wait, she’s that top student your mom keeps talking about?”
“Yeah!” The boy, who had always disliked his father’s condescending attitude, suddenly remembered something and said, “Oh right, Dad, didn’t you always want to work with the Stars Group on that project? Well, turns out Lily’s sister happens to be their majority shareholder.”
“Wait, what?” the boy’s father blurted out, staring at Aria in disbelief.
Feeling much better, Lily turned to Aria and said cheerfully, “Aria, I’m going in now.”
“Okay, good luck,” Aria said.
The boy hurried after her. “Lily, wait up!” he called.
The boy’s father looked awkwardly at Aria, about to speak, but before he could say anything, Aria turned to Owen and started talking. The two of them walked off together without a backward glance.
Their car was parked about a ten–minute walk away.
The two walked side by side.
Zoe was dropping her son off for the exam when she spotted Aria and Owen walking side by side. She froze, then turned to Caleb and asked, “Is Aria dating Owen?”
Caleb said calmly, “Just walking together doesn’t mean they’re together yet.”
“But…” she hesitated, clearly wanting to say more but stopped herself.
Zoe didn’t say anything more. After a moment’s thought, she took out her phone, found Emma’s contact, and sent a message. [Emma, is your son seeing anyone?]
