Chapter 83: Chapter 83

Before she knew it, the first week of school had already passed.

The best part was finally being able to avoid Laura at home—no more awkward encounters day in and day out.

Their classrooms were on different floors, one upstairs and one downstairs, so they only occasionally bumped into each other in the cafeteria.

To her relief, she was placed in the same class as Hannah again and had made several new friends.

Though everyone knew about her connection to the Marson family, no one deliberately kept their distance—especially since Lucas had withdrawn all those bodyguards.

Unexpectedly, she ran into Cassandra in the school library.

She had just picked a book from the shelf when a group of people walked in, led by none other than Cassandra, who seemed to be discussing book orders with the librarian.

"Beauty, what a coincidence seeing you here!"

She had been about to slip away unnoticed, but Cassandra turned around and spotted her immediately, flashing a bright smile in her direction.

"Yeah, what are the odds?" she replied, forcing a polite smile since there was no escaping now.

Clutching the book tightly to her chest, she held Cassandra’s gaze for two seconds before they both looked away.

"This young lady is the daughter of one of our school board members," the librarian chimed in, grinning from ear to ear. The source of this content ɪs novｅlfire.net

"You two know each other?"

His gaze then lingered on Beauty’s face, his expression gentle.

Cassandra handed the documents in her hand to her assistant, gave a few more instructions, and finally turned to Cassandra.

She arched one delicate eyebrow slightly.

"It’s almost lunchtime.

How about I treat you to a meal at a nearby restaurant?"

"No need,"Beauty replied.

"I actually love the food at the school cafeteria.

Some dishes are even better than what my family’s private chef makes."

Cassandra paused for a brief second, caught off guard.

A graceful smile curved her lips as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and looked up.

"Well, that works too.

It’s been ages since I last had campus food after graduating.

You wouldn’t mind treating me to a meal, would you?"

With the request phrased like that, refusing would only make her seem petty.

*After all, she’s just one of that uncle’s ambiguous interests.

Why should I feel intimidated?*

The two walked along the golden boulevard, its path strewn with fallen plane tree leaves.

Beauty deliberately maintained some distance between them.

Now that she knew Cassandra was one of the school’s shareholders, she just wanted to quietly finish her studies and graduate without becoming the center of campus gossip again.

The cafeteria was packed, but thanks to Cassandra, Beauty got VIP treatment.

She was led to the faculty dining area and served a four-dish, one-soup, one-dessert meal—standard for teachers.

Just as she marveled at how different the higher-ups ate, Cassandra suddenly lifted her eyes and gave her a slow, meaningful glance.

"Has Lucas been back to the villa lately?" she asked casually.

"I haven’t seen him in a while."

Ah, so that’s the real agenda here!

Beauty thought, the realization dawning on her.

*The wine was just a pretext—her true interest lies elsewhere.*

It seemed this meal wasn’t just a free lunch for her.

Since childhood, she’d never liked owing anyone anything, especially when it came to accepting favors.

Hearing Cassandra’s words now, she immediately felt a weight lift off her shoulders.

"Uncle hasn’t been back to the villa in half a month.

Honestly, I don’t even know where he is.

He rarely stays there anyway.

I think he has another villa outside, but I’ve never been."

Beauty took a bite of the braised pork trotter and licked her lips in satisfaction.

This was her favorite dish in the school cafeteria, but it was always sold out before she could get any.

Today, she could finally indulge. It was so delicious that she nearly forgot how a proper lady should eat.

Cassandra, on the other hand, was the epitome of elegance—every smile and gesture exuded refined grace.

"That villa complex was rebuilt by Lucas after Amelia passed away.

I’ve been there a few times.

The villa was designed by Amelia herself—she had a real talent for architecture. It’s a shame fate wasn’t kind to her.

Maybe meeting Lucas and falling in love with him used up all the luck she had in this lifetime."

When Amelia’s name came up, a shadow of sorrow flickered across Cassandra’s face.

Her delicate brows knitted together as she gently set down her chopsticks.

Beauty paused mid-bite, her lips pressing together slightly.

Every time she heard that name, something inside her trembled violently—she didn’t understand why.

A long silence stretched between them before Beauty picked up a napkin and dabbed at the corners of her mouth, her almond-shaped eyes glimmering with curiosity.

"You and... Amelia—you must have been close?"

After a brief hesitation, she finally mustered the courage to ask.

Though Lucas had told her a little about Amelia, his words had been sparse.

She didn’t dare to probe further.

Cassandra took a delicate sip of the steaming soup, her eyes glistening with nostalgia as she gazed into the distance.

"Amelia was my cousin.

We both graduated from this university.

She met Lucas here too."

Her voice softened with reminiscence.

"Back then, Lucas had just returned from abroad as a top graduate from H University.

Our headmaster happened to be his childhood mentor, so he came to give an inspiring speech to the entire faculty.

Nearly every girl on campus worshipped him—Amelia and I were no exception."

So Cassandra and Lucas shared this connection!

Beauty had always assumed Cassandra was merely Lucas’s admirer or pursuer.

Who would have guessed he’d once been her cousin-in-law?

The revelation was startling.

Anyone with eyes could see the woman’s feelings for Lucas ran deeper than mere admiration.

The way she looked at him—beyond reverence and infatuation—betrayed a profound romantic longing.

Did Lucas not notice?

Beauty exhaled softly before meeting Amelia’s gaze.

"So... what happened next?

Did he end up with your cousin?"

A shadow of sorrow flickered across Cassandra’s face, her pink lips pressing tightly together.

After a brief pause, she forced a smile.

"Actually, I was the one who planned to pursue him first.

But he showed no interest in me—his attention was all on Amelia.

After all, someone as exceptional as her was truly his perfect match."

"So you just gave up?

Handed him over to your cousin?"

Beauty leaned forward slightly, her round eyes wide with curiosity, delicate chin tilted upward.

"Do you regret it now?"

She held her breath, awaiting the answer.

Internally, she scolded herself a thousand times over.

Since childhood, she’d despised gossipmongers—yet here she was, digging into Lucas and Amelia’s past with unsettling eagerness.

So eager, in fact, that she failed to notice the peculiar intensity of her own interest.