?Chapter 3139:


    As they made their way back, Elissa appeared, fresh from the bathroom and clearly searching for William.


    Without warning, her eyesnded on Ernest. His clothes clung to him, dripping as though he had been hauled straight out of deep water. She stared in disbelief and said, “How did you get yourself into this state?”


    “It’s nothing.” Ernest offered a light smile and gently motioned for her to keep her distance. “I’m soaked. You’ll get wet if youe any closer.”


    The water had been icy, and the pond was far from sanitary.


    “Okay…”


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    “Elissa!” William bounded toward them and threw an arm around Elissa’s shoulders.


    He stood tall beside her, as if he were her personal shield.


    “Rx! I was only testing him for you!”


    “What?” Elissa stared at him, bewildered.


    “Yeah!” William shed a grin and gave her a confident wink. “He’s alright, I guess!”


    He puffed out his chest like a proud peacock. “I’m older and stronger now! I can look after you! If he ever treats you badly, tell me, and I’ll sort him out!”


    He tossed Ernest a smug look. “He’s not nearly as clever as I am! He wouldn’t stand a chance against me!”


    Ernest held his tongue. His thoughts rattled around his head.


    Not this all over again!


    He drew in a long breath and tried to steady himself. He reminded himself that the boy was still young, so there was no sense in getting into another argument.


    Neville, having a simr build to Ernest, had brought over a set of clean clothes for him.


    However, it did not feel appropriate for him to change in the room of his inws, so Elissa guided him to her own room instead.


    He started cleaning himself up in the bathroom while Elissa waited quietly outside.


    The moment the water stopped running, she tapped lightly on the door. “Have you finished?”


    Ernest hesitated before answering, “Yes.”


    In reality, he had only rinsed off in haste and stepped out of the shower without fully finishing.


    “Then I’lle in.”


    “Alright.”


    Elissa pushed the door open with a paper bag in her hand. “I forgot to give you these. Your socks—”


    Her words faded as she froze in ce, startled by what she saw. She then yelped and spun around, her face burning. “Didn’t you say you were finished?”


    Ernest’s mouth twitched with amusement. “I misunderstood. I thought you were asking if I had finished showering, not if I was dressed.”


    “I see.” That exnation softened Elissa’s tone at once. “I should’ve worded it better.”


    Without turning back, she stretched her arm behind her. “Here. Your socks. I meant to give them to you earlier.”


    He didn’t take them right away. Instead, Ernest stepped closer. His gaze lowered to the gentle slope of Elissa’s neck, pink and tense beneath her hair.


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