Chapter 39
She had even hinted at the possibility of a future relationship, believing that Ryan was the wealthy. son of a great tycoon.
They had both grown up in the same orphanage, and Linda was convinced that this connection would secure her a spot in his life, in his mansion.
How proud she had been, imagining everyone else envying her.
But reality was much crueler than that fantasy.
Ryan wasn’t the son of a tycoon. He was the son of a servant, and now the truth had shattered her
dreams.
I let out a quiet breath as I watched them leave.
Turning to the remaining crowd, I smiled politely and said, “Well, it seems the excitement is over. I guess I’ll be heading out too. See you all at school tomorro
The onlookers exchanged awkward glances, unsure of how to respond.
Their faces were a mixture of shock, embarrassment, and curiosity. I gave them one final nod before the manager escorted me toward the door.
As we reached the lobby, Lirian appeared. He was standing near the elevator, his tall frame leaning casually against the wall. His timing was impeccable.
“What a coincidence,” I said, stopping to look at him.
Lirian raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
“Is it?” he replied, walking toward me. “I was just about to leave myself. Are you finished?”
I tried to steady my nerves as I looked into his eyes.
There was something about Lirian that always made me feel on edge, like he could see through all my defenses.
I focused for a moment, letting my mind–reading ability slip into his thoughts. Sure enough, his voice echoed clearly in my head.
18.42.
It’s not a coincidence at all. I’ve been waiting for you here on purpose for a long time.]
hid my smile, but my face still warmed slightly.
Of course, he had been waiting for me. The Moon Shadow’s banquet had long since ended, and yet, here he was, lingering near the elevators.
I nodded in acknowledgment.
“Hmm,” I murmured, stepping into the elevator with him.
The doors closed, and we were enveloped in silence.
Inside the elevator, the tension was palpable, though neither of us spoke.
The silence stretched, almost suffocating, as the elevator descended. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, noticing how calm and composed he appeared, yet I could feel something else simmering just beneath the surface.
When we reached the ground floor, my driver rushed over, his face lined with worry. “Miss Sophia, my apologies, but my child has been injured. I need to get to the hospital.”
I nodded sympathetically. “Of course. You should go. I’ll take a taxi home.”
Before I could make a move, Lirian’s eyes brightened, and he stepped forward. “I can give you a
ride,” he offered, his voice casual but laced with intent.
I glanced at him and considered refusing, but something in his expression made me reconsider.
“Alright,” I said, not bothering to argue. I followed him to his car, slipping into the passenger seat as his driver pulled out onto the street.
The ride was quiet.
The city lights blurred as we drove through the traffic, but my mind kept wandering back to Ryan
and the evening’s events.
Lirian sat beside me, composed as always, but neither of us spoke.
The rhythmic motion of the car, the quiet hum of the engine, lulled me into a state of drowsiness.
I could feel my eyelids growing heavy. Before I knew it, I had drifted off, my head resting gently against Lirian’s shoulder.
Chapte
rian shifted slightly, glancing down at me but making no move to wake me. He sat still, careful not to disturb me, even as his arm grew sore from holding his position for so long. He stayed like that, his posture rigid, not wanting to break the silence.
Finally, the car stopped in front of my house. Lirian’s driver turned to him. “Young master, we’ve
arrived.”
Lirian hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on my sleeping face. He seemed unsure whether to wake me or let me rest a little longer.
The sudden halt of the car woke me from my light sleep. I blinked groggily, realizing where I was.
Sitting up, I glanced at Lirian, who was sitting unnaturally stiff, his hands folded in his lap. He Jooked almost too proper, like he had been sitting there unmoving for hours.
“You should’ve woken me,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck, which had grown sore from sleeping in such an awkward position.
Lirian’s expression didn’t change. “You were asleep,” he replied simply, his voice as calm as ever.
I studied his face for a moment, then spoke again. “Lirian?”
He turned to look at me, his eyes meeting mine with that usual unreadable calm.
“Do you… like me?” I asked, the question slipping from my lips before I had time to second–guess myself.
Lirian froze, caught completely off guard.
