?Chapter 259:


    It wasn’t anything major. Critport University was celebrating its 120th anniversary next month, and they hoped Ellie, being one of their most outstanding students, could deliver a speech and represent the art department.


    The university had produced many promising talents over the years, and while Ellie wasn’t technically among the top achievers, she was certainly one of the most brilliant graduates in recent generations.


    Considering how the institution had supported her and cultivated her skills to their fullest potential, Ellie readily agreed.


    Later that afternoon, the headmaster of Critport University gathered a team of veteran professors to tour an esteemed benefactor around the campus.


    “Did something catch your attention, Mr. Thorpe?” the headmaster asked when he noticed Kaiden’s wheelchair had suddenly stopped. Kaiden’s gaze was fixed on the administrative office a few meters away.


    Two middle-aged men and a young woman were walking out of the building.


    “Ah, those would be the director of our art department and one of our art professors,” the eagle-eyed headmaster exined. “I believe the girl with them is a former student. If I remember correctly, she graduatedst year, well ahead of schedule.”


    Kaiden said nothing, but his eyes never left Ellie’s figure.


    Seeing his focus, a female professor spoke up with a smile. “The headmaster is right. The student’s name is Ellie Gordon. Shepleted her master’s degree in half the usual time. She’s a brilliant student. I’ve heard the art department is nning to invite her to speak at the uing school anniversary.”


    The professor made sure to study Kaiden’s reaction carefully, but his face remained nk. She doubted he had heard a word she said—he simply kept staring at Ellie.


    As if sensing his gaze, Ellie suddenly stopped and looked in his direction. After a couple of seconds, she turned back to her professors and bid them farewell.


    Kaiden was fairly certain she had seen him, yet she walked away without a single backward nce.


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    Ellie’s pretense of not knowing Kaiden was different from when she had been part of the crew. They were no longer on speaking terms.


    “Mr. Thorpe?” The headmaster offered a strained smile. “That youngdy is charming, but she’s still quite young. You…”


    Kaiden’s gaze shifted to the headmaster. His calm yet striking features betrayed his annoyance.


    “She’s only six years younger than I am,” Kaiden corrected him.


    “Mr. Thorpe, it’s not about that. A six-year gap isn’t much, true. But your generous donation of ab building to our school doesn’t mean we can just…” The headmaster paused mid-sentence, realizing something. “How did you know she’s only twenty-one? Do you two… know each other?”


    Typically, students graduate with a master’s degree between the ages of twenty-four and twenty-six. Kaiden’s precise guess about Ellie being twenty-one seemed too exact, even if she had graduated early.


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