Chapter 60
By the time dinner wrapped up, it was nearing 8 p.m.)
As Stellar and the others stepped out of the restaurant, they were met with a steady downpour.
Most of them took a cab to get there
Since they all lived on campus, they planned to head back together, except for Stellar, who didn’t stay in the dorms.
“You guys go ahead,” she said quickly. “My place isn’t on the way. I’ll just call a ride on my own.”
Lilian hesitated, clearly worried. “Are you sure? I can wait with you-
“I’m feeling a little dizzy after drinking,” Vivian cut in impatiently, rolling her eyes. “Can we just go? She’s a grown woman. I think she can manage calling a cab by herself.”
She bit down on the words “grown woman” with deliberate emphasis, her meaning clear.
Stellar pressed her lips together, understanding the jab but choosing to ignore it.
“But-“Lilian started, still reluctant.
Stellar gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s fine. I’ll text you once I’m home.”
Only then did Lilian let out a small sigh and follow the others into their cab.
With the group gone, Stellar was left standing alone outside the restaurant, waiting for a ride.
The rain made it even harder to catch a cab, and just as she was checking her phone for another option, a sleek, familiar car pulled
up in front of her.
The tinted window lowered slightly, and under the neon lights, Stephen’s impossibly sharp, striking features came into view.
“Heading home?”
lis deep voice cut through the sound of rain, low and slightly distorted by the downpour.
His
“Get in. I’ll drop you off–it’s on the way.
Stellar blinked, slightly surprised as she arched a brow
She had initially planned to refuse, but when she glanced down at her ride–hailing app, she saw the long queue ahead.
If she waited any longer, she’d probably end up catching a cold.
Weighing her options, she decided against unnecessary stubbornness.
“Then I’ll take you up on the offer Thanks, Senior Ward. ‘
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+15 Bonus
She stepped forward, pulled open the door, and slid into the passenger seat.
The warmth inside the car was a welcome contrast to the biting cold outside, instantly easing the chill from her body.
She turned toward Stephen with a genuine smile.
“Thanks again. If you ever need a favor, feel free to ask–I owe you one.
She wasn’t the type to take kindness for granted.
Whatever his reasons for helping her so many times, she fully intended to return the favor if the opportunity arose.
Of course, that was assuming he didn’t mind the damage to his reputation.
Stephen’s gaze was deep and unreadable as he studied her before remarking, almost offhandedly,
“Not giving me the cold shoulder anymore?”
Stellar blinked, caught off guard.
When had she ever intentionally ignored him?
Then, it clicked–he was referring to their last encounter at school.
She exhaled lightly and answered honestly, “You’re overthinking it. I just didn’t want to stir up unnecessary rumors by talking too much with you on campus.
“If you don’t mind, Senior Ward, I would like to interact with you more. You’re Professor Stone’s most valued student, and your achievements speak for themselves. There’s a lot I could learn from you.”
Her tone was neither overly flattering nor distant–just poised, professional, and matter–of–fact, as if they were simply two colleagues exchanging words.
was the kind of response Stephen hadn’t expected.
Once again, she wasn’t reacting the way he thought she would.
His gaze lingered on her for a moment, unreadable.
Instead of awkward silence, their conversation naturally flowed into academic topics.
The discussion carried them through the entire drive, fluid and engaging, without a single lull.
By the time they arrived at her villa, Stephen realized something surprising he wasn’t quite ready for the conversation to end.
Just as Stellar was about to step out of the car, Stephen suddenly remembered something.
