Cameron enjoyed two peaceful days at the castle, primarily because Xander wasn''t around.


    On Sunday afternoon, as they prepared to return to school, Bradley had urgent matters at hisw firm. He dropped Cameron off at Noble Vista so she could grab some clothes.


    Xander had already returned to Murphy Manorst night, so their paths didn''t


    cross.


    As Cameron entered Noble Vista, Elijah''s Rolls-Royce idled by the curb, waiting for him.


    Elijah, backpack slung over one shoulder, ran into her at the gate. He blinked, as if doubting his eyes. Then he focused. It really was Cameron.


    "Cameron." He hurried forward. "You''re back!"


    Cameron hadn''t expected to see Elijah right at the gate. She gave


    small


    Elijah said, "You came back for..."


    Hey


    Cameron replied, "Just picking up clothes." Next Friday, she could head straight


    to the castle to see Pearl.


    Elijah smiled, "I''ll wait. We can go back to school together."


    "No need." Cameron waved it off. "I''ll bike."


    But Elijah insisted. "I''ll wait."


    Cameron ended up riding with Elijah after all. It was her first time in his car.


    The butler, seated passenger seat, beamed at her. "Mr. Wace, what an honor. Mr. Moore speaks of you


    Cameron offered a polite smile and nod, not saying much.


    The butler, perceptive, didn''t talk anymore.


    Elijah retrieved a workbook from his bag. "Cameron, could you look at this problem?"


    often."


    "Sure." asional tutoring didn''t faze Cameron, unlike the relentless grind of daily drills. She took the book and ced it on herp, scanning the question. She took the workbook, set it on herp, and started reading the problem.


    She took the workbook, set it on herp, and started reading the problem. Elijah leaned in slightly.


    Both of them possessed finely sculpted features. Their attention was locked on the page. The setting sun cast a warm glow through the windows, gilding their profiles.


    From the rearview mirror, the butler murmured, "Mr. Moore, you and Mr. Wace Honestly, the butler rarely saw Elijah sit this close to anyone.


    Neither Cameron nor Elijah responded.


    are both exceptionally favored by nature."


    The butler took out his phone and snapped a photo. It was the very first picture of them together.


    Cameron frowned but said nothing.


    The Rolls-Royce pulled to a stop in front of Langford Academy. The butler turned around. "We''re here, Mr, Moore."


    Elijah looked out the window. He murmured, "So soon?" It felt like they had just gotten in the car.


    Cameron thanked the butler as the door opened.


    The butler beamed. "My pleasure, Mr. Wace."


    Cameron and Elijah got out, and the Rolls-Royce drove off.


    Just as they turned toward campus, a voice called out. "Cameron!"


    Cameron and Elijah both turned their heads.


    A man stood amid the pedestrian flow, his near-six-foot-three frame towering conspicuously. Sunsses shielded his eyes. One hand tucked casually in his pocket as he stared in their direction.


    "An acquaintance?" Elijah murmured, failing to recognize that man.


    Cameron tilted her head. "Seems so." She had met that man only once.


    As the stranger approached, Elijah gave a courteous nod. "Well, I''ll leave you two


    to talk."


    AD