Gwen''s enthusiasm proved unshakable. Despite Cameron''s refusals, Gwen insisted until Cameron''s resistance became futile.


    "Then we''ll expect you tonight," Gwen chuckled before hanging up.


    "Alright." Cameron agreed.


    What was supposed to be a quiet lunch with Bradley expanded into an impromptu roommates gathering, except for Xander, who wasn''t there.


    Bradley hadn''t expected both Elijah and Austin to join. Thetter trailed by five guards.


    Bradley adjusted his gold-rimmed sses. "So the scene outside Noble Vista yesterday was your doing, Austin?"


    "Yeah, it''s me," Austin smiled.


    Bradley nodded, not pressing further.


    After lunch, the four of them got ready to head to school.


    "Ride with me, Cam," Austin offered.


    Cameron declined. "I''ll go with Brad. I prefer a lower profile."


    Elijah chimed in, "Mind if I hitch a ride, Brad?"


    "No problem." Bradley nodded.


    Austin''s smile remained, but his eyes chilled. He thought, ''The moment Bradley appeared, I became invisible. When he wasn''t here earlier, Cam''s attention was all on me. She didn''t even have time for Elijah. Why does Bradley always take priority?''


    Austin shot Bradley a sharp look.


    Bradley caught it and returned it just as evenly, his expression unreadable behind his gold-rimmed sses. His gaze was calm, but beneath it burned something sharp, almost cutting.


    Still smiling, Austin smoothly interjected, "Brad, I''ll join your car too."


    "Absolutely not, sir." Vincent immediately objected before Bradley could even respond.


    Austin frowned, "Why not?"


    Vincent''s tone was firm. "Things are different now. Sir, your safetyes first."


    Austin sighed, his voice tinged with bitterness. He thought, ''Wealthes with golden handcuffs. All I want is to stay with Cam.''


    Cameron patted his shoulder. "Aus, we''ll see you at school."


    "Alright," Austin muttered, reluctantly agreeing.


    Cameron, Bradley, and Elijah left first.


    Austin frowned, "Vincent, isn''t this excessive?"


    He thought, ''Constant protection makes me an easier target. Should I have bodyguards tailing me through university all day long? No. That''s not


    realistic.''


    Vincent replied calmly. “Sir, give me some time to develop a better security protocol. For now, we need to maintain close protection


    With a frustrated sigh, Austin nodded. The Rolls-Royce drove down the road,


    nked by two luxury cars-one in front and one behind.


    When they arrived at the school gate, Austin barred Vincent''s team from entering.


    Compromising, Vincent ''shadowed him discreetly from a distance.


    At two o''clock in the afternoon, the graduation ceremony began in the school auditorium.


    All 558 graduating students from 16 sses were present, seated by ss in neat


    rows.


    Cameron sat among her ssmates from ss 15, with Elijah right beside her.


    The ssmates around eximed, "Cameron, Elijah, you guys are amazing. Especially Cameron, you transformed from deadst to the state top scores It''s legendary!"


    "Seriously, he''s so inspiring!"