<b>Chapter </b><b>85 </b>
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Tiffany nodded and went back to her room. She hesitated for a moment-‘Should I call Nora?‘–but instead, she picked up her phone and called Elliot.
Elliot was out having dinner with Bonnie, Gloria, and his dad, David Clifford.
It was a rare asion for Bonnie toe by the school, and with Elliot and Gloria hardly ever hometely, it had been days since hest saw Bonnie.
So tonight, the whole family decided to eat out together–Bonnie even made sure David was there too.
Bonnie was still fuming at the table. “What’s up with kids these days? Back in our time, everyone only cared about studying, terrified someone else would beat them in academics. Now look–constantly wrapped up in all sorts of drama. And that school forum? Why do they allow so much ridiculous junk to be posted?”
“Okay, Mom, let’s take it easy,” David said, trying to calm her down while dropping a piece of sliced steak onto her te. “Here, try this. This is really tasty.”
Bonnie shot him a re. “Is eating all you care about?”
David rubbed his nose, thinking, ‘Did I offend someone without even realizing it?‘
He went quiet, and Gloria ced some veggies onto Bonnie’s te. “Mom, have you met Alicia yet?”
Bonnie nodded, her voice full of guilt. “I really let that girl down. Guess I’m just getting old and absent- minded–not even looking into what happened, and I ended up scolding her for nothing.”
Gloria said, “Yes, she really was treated unfairly.”
Her eyes sparkled. “Mom, I want to take Alicia under my wing as my apprentice.”
Bonnie blinked in surprise at her. “There’s really no need. It was my mistake–I misunderstood her. I’ll find a way to make it right, you don’t have to-”
Gloria cut her off. “Actually, Mom, that’s not it. Remember I told you about that student who could tune the phoenix–head harp perfectly and super fast, all without a tuner? That was Alicia. She’s got real talent–I honestly believe she could inherit my mantle.”
Bonnie looked surprised. “Really?”
Gloria nodded. “But she hasn’t agreed yet.”
Bonnie thought it over. “Let me see if I can set up another meeting with her. Maybe I’ll invite her to dinner and say it’s an apology. I’ll help you discuss it with her.”
Gloria knew just how persuasive Bonnie could be when it came to negotiations, so she nodded without hesitation.
She genuinely admired Alicia and was determined to take her as an apprentice,
20:53 Mon, <b>Oct </b>6
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Bonnie turned to Elliot and said, “That Alicia girl–she’s got good manners and knows how to speak her mind. You should really spend more time with her-”
Before she could finish, Elliot’s phone began to ring.
He nced at the caller ID but didn’t answer, just kept his attention on Bonnie, waiting for her to continue.
Bonnie waved her hand. “Go ahead, answer it.”
Elliot finally picked up. “Hey, Tiffany.”
He didn’t bother stepping away–just answered right there at the table, not hiding anything from his family.
As soon as Tiffany heard Elliot pick up, her voice was tinged with sadness and urgency. “Elliot, please, you have to help Nora.”
Elliot furrowed his brows a little, shot a nce at Bonnie, who was chatting with Gloria, then quietly slipped out of the private room.
Tiffany, not getting a reply from Elliot, sounded on the verge of tears as she pleaded, her voice shaky and desperate. “Okay, Nora made a mistake, I admit it—but Alicia wasn’t even hurt, so why does she have to push things so far?
“Maybe you don’t know, but Nora’s family is struggling. Her parents spent everything they had just to get her into Premier Academy. She’s never caused any real trouble at school, and honestly, nobody got hurt this time.
“Is there really no way Alicia can just let it go? Elliot, please, you have to help Nora–she’s really in a tough spot.”
Hearing Tiffany’s shaky voice, Elliot’s heart tightened a little–Man, why does it hurt to hear her like this?‘ He tried to sound gentle and reassuring. “Hey, Tiffany, don’t cry, okay? I’ll figure something out for Nora.”
When Tiffany heard Elliot promise to help, her mood did a total 180. “I knew you’d help out, Elliot! You’re seriously the sweetest.”
Elliot grinned at her praise, thinking, ‘She thinks I’m kind, huh? That actually feels nice. “Alright, I’m gonna hang up now, my family’s waiting for me at dinner.”
“Alright,” Tiffany answered in a soft voice. “Go enjoy your meal—I won’t hold you up.”
Elliot chuckled gently. “You’re always so softhearted, Tiffany–always worrying about everyone else. I’ll give you a reply soon.”
Tiffany replied softly and then hung up.
Elliot returned to the private room, everyone’s eyesnding on him. He cleared his throat, took his seat, and tried to act casual.
David was the first to break the silence. “Son, you got yourself a girlfriend?”
Elliot’s face went a little red. “No way, Dad–seriously, it’s nothing like that. She’s just a ssmate.”
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Gloria looked at him and asked, “Was that Tiffany?”
Elliot nodded.
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Gloria chuckled as she scooped a piece of pork onto his te. “Elliot, if you ever do end up dating someone, honestly, I think Alicia would be perfect for you. I just have a feeling you’ll bring out the best in each other, you know? You two could really lift each other up.”
Elliot’s expression soured instantly. “Mom, I don’t like Alicia, and I’m not dating anyone.”
Gloria just smiled. “No worries if you’re not, but as your mother, I have to say–Tiffany just isn’t a good match for you.”
Elliot bristled at Gloria’s words–he could tell she was looking down on Tiffany. “Mom, Tiffany only messed up one of your instruments by ident. Why are you being so critical of her?”
Gloria blinked. “Did I say anything about her?”
Elliot started to argue, then realized Gloria hadn’t actually said anything against Tiffany. He hesitated, then said, “Mom, nowadays people can date whoever they want.”
Gloria nodded. “I’m just sharing my thoughts, not forcing you to be with anyone. I just think Alicia’s a wonderful girl.”
Bonnie wasn’t one to hand outpliments often, but today she said, “I met that girl earlier, and I have to admit, she’s got her act together. The way she speaks is organized andposed, and she knows how to carry herself–not arrogant, not meek.” <fn429c> The source of th?s content is Find1Novel</fn429c>
Elliot, honestly fed up with all this Alicia talk, felt his patience running thin. ‘Why do they keep pushing her?‘ Not wanting to listen anymore, he abruptly got up and said, “I’m gonna hit the restroom.”
As Elliot walked off toward the restroom, David sighed, shaking his head. “He’s all grown up–kids these days have their own opinions. Let’s not meddle too much anymore.”
Gloria could only smile wryly, a touch of helplessness in her voice. “Yeah, I know. Go see how he’s doing.”
David rose to his feet and followed after Elliot toward the restroom.
Gloria and Bonnie had plenty to talk about–both were academics, and their values lined up perfectly. With the men gone, they really got into it, chatting away even more animatedly.
David walked into the restroom and spotted Elliot washing his hands. He gave his son a friendly tap on the shoulder and joked, “So, got your eye on anyely?”
Elliot nced over at David. “What, did Mom send you in to snoop on me?”
David gave him a light p on the back. “Hey, I’m just looking out for you. If you don’t feel like sharing, that’s fine. You’re not a kid anymore–you can handle your own life.”
With that, David headed into a stall, did his thing, and when he came out, he was honestly surprised to find Elliot still hanging around. “This kid is just like his mom and grandma–always does his own thing, never the
<b>20:53 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>6 </b>
type to stick around waiting for anyone. If he didn’t leave, he must have something on his mind.
David started washing his hands, ncing over. “You got something you wanna talk about?”
AD