?Chapter 1044:


    Akira walked toward Ellie but was stopped by the stoic bodyguard.


    She exined, “I know Ellie. I’m her schoolmate.”


    “Akira?”


    Ellie identified her from her voice and words.


    “I heard you were pregnant.”


    Akira’s eyes fell on Ellie’s baby bump, and she felt a pang of jealousy.


    Ellie really had it all: excelling in school, marrying into wealth, and now expecting a baby.


    Akira tried to sit next to Ellie, but the bodyguard remained firm, guarding her as if she were priceless.


    Feeling slighted, Akira said, “Ellie, weren’t you invited to the alumni representative meeting this year?”


    The Critport University alumni meeting was very prestigious, with only three spots per major each year, divided by graduation decades.


    Ellie and Akira were in the same decade. Last year, the academy invited Ellie, so Akira was left out.


    “I’m pregnant, so it’s inconvenient. I declined the invitation,” Ellie smiled. “So, you were my alternate?”


    At those words, Akira’s face darkened with anger, but with the bodyguard present and Ellie now Mrs. Thorpe, she didn’t daresh out.


    Enraged, Akira stormed off, ncing back to see Kaiden heading toward Ellie with a milkshake.


    Kaiden stood out with his appearance and demeanor, catching everyone’s attention.


    Akira couldn’t help but pause, observing Kaiden crouch in front of Ellie, exchange words, and then hand her the milkshake.


    Their interaction was incredibly endearing. It was surprising to see a man like Kaiden show such deep affection to a woman.


    Biting her lip, Akira suppressed her envy and departed.


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    After a few steps, she suddenly realized something was amiss.


    While she had been speaking to Ellie, Ellie had been staring straight ahead. Normally, since she was standing and Ellie was seated, Ellie should have looked up slightly to speak to her.


    Even if Ellie’s straight-ahead gaze had been out of disdain, why hadn’t she nced at Kaiden?


    She had only reacted when Kaiden came near.


    And why was Ellie wearing sunsses indoors?


    Before calling Ellie’s name, Akira had stood before her for a few seconds, and Ellie hadn’t reacted.


    Could it be that Ellie had an issue with her eyes?


    Akira was stunned by her own spection and felt an unexpected rush of excitement. If Ellie’s eyesight was impaired, she wouldn’t have a strong rival among her peers in the country.


    Kaiden only allowed Ellie to drink half of the milkshake before taking the rest away. “It’s done.”


    He handed the half-empty cup to the bodyguard, instructing him to toss it.


    “Kaiden, are you teasing me because I can’t see?” Ellie snorted.


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