Chapter 299
Aria wheeled her suitcase toward the parking area. Owen spotted her from afar, quickened his pace to meet her, and reached out to take the tuitcas “Aaron and Caleb are going together. I’ve had enough rest and can handle the whole drive, so you should take a break”
Aria instinctively looked toward Caleb, who gave her a wry smile and gestured toward her phone before getting into the car.
Aria took out her phone, and a message popped up: [Aria, Owen slept in three extra hours today. Ride with him and rest easy.)
While Aria was checking her phone, Owen had already stowed her suitcase in the trunk and was holding the passenger door open for her.
Aria slipped into the passenger seat.
Meanwhile, in Larkridge High School, homeroom teacher Valerie called Nathan
desk.
and Lily into her office, then picked up two application forms from her
“Both of you have always been outstanding in physics,” said Valerie. “This competition is specifically organized by Kanit University–win first prize, and you’ll get guaranteed admission.”
Valerie paused, her gaze sweeping over both of them before continuing, “Larkridge High School only has five spots–and you two are among them.”
Lily glanced at the application forms on the desk and said firmly, “Ms. Gibbs, please give my spot to another student. I’ve decided to take the SAT instead.”
The $30,000 prize for the city’s top scorer was what she was after.
With limited spots available, Valerie and Nathan were somewhat taken aback by her decision.
Valerie hurried to advise, “Lily, your grades are excellent, but having an extra safety net can’t hurt.”
“Ms. Gibbs, my mind’s made up,” Lily said, shaking her head firmly.
Seeing the determination in Lily’s eyes, Valerie sighed helplessly and nodded. “Very well, Lily. I respect your decision.”
Then she turned to Nathan. “What about you, Nathan?”
Nathan took the application form from her. “Ms. Gibbs, I’ll sign up,” he said.
Valerie nodded. “Alright, Nathan. Take the application form home and fill it out when you’re ready.”
Leaving the office, Nathan caught up to Lily and walked beside her. “Lily, will you be staying at Aria’s place alone over winter break?”
“Yeah.” Lily nodded.
Whenever Lily spent winter break alone at home, she never really felt safe. Most nights, she could hardly sleep, so she’d just throw herself into studying until morning and then try to make up for it by sleeping during the day.
At the start of each semester, it would always take her weeks to readjust to a normal routine.
But it was different at Aria’s place. Even when Aria wasn’t home, Lily still felt safe.
Winter break stretched before Nathan, dull and empty.
Saxon Manor stood empty. The once lively atmosphere had faded, and laughter and cheerful chatter were now rare.
Zoe, once the most cheerful of them all, smiled less and less, while Silvia, who used to be the life of the party, gradually fell silent.
The Saxon family changed, but they brought it upon themselves.
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Chapter 299
Lily never started a conversation, so it was always up to Nathan to break the ice. He finally asked, “So are you thinking about applying to kar University?”
“Not necessarily,” she replied coolly.
Her words shut Nathan down cold.
Nathan’s hand instinctively slipped into his pocket, his fingers fidgeting nervously. He took a deep breath and turned to Lily again. “Lily… could I ask you a favor?”
Lily had a hunch about what he was going to say, but kept her expression neutral. “Tell me. I’ll think about it,” she said.
Nathan carefully pulled a delicate gift box from his pocket and handed it to Lily. “This is for Aria’s birthday.”
When Aria first returned to Saxon Manor, Nathan had given her gifts. But after they fell out, she left without taking anything–not even those presents.
Lily looked at the box in his hand but didn’t take it immediately. “But… what if Aria doesn’t want it?” she asked hesitantly.
There was a real chance Aria might refuse it,
Nathan hesitated, then said softly, “If she doesn’t want it…”
They stood quietly across from each other.
One stood lost in thought, looking dejected, while the other watched in silence.
Nathan looked up. “Could you just try first? If it doesn’t work, we’ll talk about it then, okay?”
Lily thought it over for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, I’ll do it.”
Nathan broke into a grateful smile. “Thank you, Lily,” he said.
Nathan hesitated, then asked, “Mind if we exchange numbers? Just to stay in touch.”
“Fine,” Lily said.
Aria gradually woke up to find a blanket draped over her. Rubbing her head, she sat up and checked her phone, surprised to see she’d slept for five hours.
Noticing that she was finally awake, Owen eased the car to a stop outside a nearby diner.
He turned his head, his gaze settling on Aria. Just as he was about to speak, he noticed her disheveled hair, a sleepy haze lingering in her eyes, her gaze still clouded with drowsiness. For a moment, he couldn’t help but feel his heart skip a beat.
His heart gave a gentle flutter. “Let’s go grab a bite first,” he said softly.
Aria nodded, her voice slightly hoarse from sleep. “Mm–hmm.”
Owen suddenly produced a small packet of mouthwash from somewhere and handed it to her. “Here, use this.”
Aria blinked in surprise, then reached out to take it. “Thanks,” she murmured.
She tore open the packet and poured the mouthwash into her mouth.
Thirty seconds later, a paper cup was placed in front of her as Owen’s gentle voice sounded. “Here, spit it in this.”
Aria’s cheeks puffed out as she held the mouthwash in her mouth, her eyes wide with bewilderment and shock.
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Chapter 299
She thought to herself, utterly stunned, ‘Owen is prepared for everything as if he has a Mary Poppins bag, always able to pull sin whatch a in moment I need it?
Seeing her bewildered look, Owen leaned in and held the cup to her lips. “Spit in here,” he said gently.
Aria blinked, snapping out of her daze. She took the cup from him and spat out the mouthwash. “Thanks,” she murmured.
After getting cut of the car, Aria tossed the cup into a trash bin and walked into the diner.
Finished with her meal, Aria walked over to the driver’s side. “I’ll take the wheel now,” she announced.
Owen beat her to the car and slid into the driver’s seat. “I’ll drive,” he said with a small smile.
She insisted, “I’m good to go now. Let me take the wheel.”
“No need. I’ll drive,” he said.
Aria narrowed her eyes slightly. “Don’t you trust my driving skills?”
“It’s not that,” Owen said.
“I think you do,” Aria raised her eyebrow.
Owen gave a resigned chuckle and quietly stepped out of the car, surrendering the driver’s seat to her. “Alright, it’s all yours,” he said.
Aria said confidently, “Relax, I’m a decent driver.”
“I trust you,” Owen said.
At 9 p.m., the living room at Saxon Manor was unusually quiet despite the number of people gathered there. Dexter und standing behind him, one neach s
Over a dozen gift bags were neatly arranged beside the bodyguards.
Amid the tense atmosphere, there was an undercurrent of appeasement.
‘,
on side.
With a sincere and apologetic expression, Dexter said, “Mr. Joseph Saxon, my sister was entirely at fault for stealing amends to you and Ms. Saxon on her behalf.”
the research. I’ve come to make
“Regarding the false murder accusation against Ms. Saxon, there was a misunderstanding,” Dexter explained. “She did provide financial assistance to those two elderly people out of compassion, but it was certainly not to hire them to frame her. She was deceived and had no idea they would make false reports to the police.”
Nathan sat off to the side and let out a cold, derisive sneer. “Birds of a feather flock together. Your grandfather pulled the same kind of stunt back in the day.”
Dexter was well aware of Bartholomew’s visit–how the Saxon family had only issued that public statement after being offered the West District property in exchange.
Now, sitting there, he found himself in the exact same position Bartholomew had been in back then,
A hint of embarrassment crossed Dexter’s face, but he quickly regained his composure and said, “Mr. Joseph Saxon, our two families have always enjoyed a fruitful partnership. It would be a shame to let these misunderstandings strain our relationship.”
