CHAPTER 24: CHAPTER 24: CAMPUS ENCOUNTER

A few minutes later, Joel Sutton called, sounding anxious, "Miss Hathaway, why did you transfer money to me? I can earn enough for my tuition myself!"

"You’re still a student, and studying hard is the right path. What if you can’t graduate because you fail a class?" Lying in bed, I replied with a suitably lazy tone, "Listen to your sister, University A is a good school. Don’t waste your time on endless part-time jobs. Study well, and you’ll have a bright future. You can repay me after you start working."

"I..." Joel Sutton seemed to choke up a bit.

Suddenly, I felt a bit sad, and simultaneously wondered if I was being a bit too cunning, taking advantage of such a pure kid. Joel Sutton thought I was being kind, but in reality, I was playing the big bad wolf.

With Joel Sutton’s background, getting into University A and surviving in City A requires more effort than others. Leaving aside all the factors related to Azure Vaughn, I sincerely admire such a self-reliant person.

"No more talking about it. If you run short of money in the future, just tell me. Consider it as my financial aid to you. You can repay me after you graduate and start working. If you really feel guilty, just pay me extra as interest." I said.

This amount of money is really nothing to me, and it helps me balance my mind while also helping Joel Sutton. It’s a win-win.

Joel Sutton must have really reached a dead end, otherwise, he wouldn’t be still working part-time the day before school starts.

After hanging up, Joel Sutton accepted the money and replied: Thank you, Miss Hathaway, I will definitely pay you back in the future!

I didn’t reply, tossed my phone aside, and went to sleep.

Early the next morning, I got up and dressed meticulously. A white dress, elegant and generous, combined with light makeup made me look quite good. With the cello on my back, Lane drove me to University A.

Returning to campus filled me with emotion. Seeing the energetic new students, I remembered my own first day at the university, as if it were just yesterday.

At that time, I was overjoyed, thrilled that I had finally gotten into the university where Henry Preston was, and I’d soon be his classmate. The excitement was like winning five million.

Following a route I remembered, I arrived at the concert hall of the music department, a place all music students pass through. The hall was surrounded by transparent floor-to-ceiling glass, with a stepped stage in the middle.

Today, like me, 52 alumni came to perform, playing "The Blue Danube Waltz," a classic piece.

The stage setup was ready, and after we were assigned our positions, everyone took their places without rehearsal or practice, relying entirely on chemistry.

But everyone was a talented graduate of the University A music department, and even after years of social experience, they still had the skill to handle it.

As the beautiful melody began, I felt relaxed and immersed in the passionate music.

The audience of students grew, and our temporary orchestra gained momentum, playing several classic pieces until noon.

The applause was very gratifying, and as I scanned the crowd, I saw Joel Sutton standing there, his eyes sparkling. When he saw me looking at him, he waved shyly yet warmly.

I smiled and nodded at him. After the orchestra dispersed, I walked toward him, "Sutton."

"Miss Hathaway, I didn’t know you could play the cello. That’s amazing!" Joel Sutton praised me without hesitation.

"I majored in the cello in college." With the cello on my back, I chatted with Joel Sutton as we walked, and in this environment, I suddenly felt much younger, as if reborn into my university days.

"I think girls who know music are very charming." Joel Sutton’s facial wounds had mostly healed, but there were still scars by the corners of his mouth and eyes. He wore a casual sports outfit, exuding a sunny disposition. As he said this, I almost zoned out.

Could he have already fallen for me?

The next second, Joel Sutton shattered my fantasy, "My Azure also studies music, but she focuses on vocals, not instruments."

Isn’t that the same as Leah Lane? She too aims to pursue a career as a singer.

I sighed inwardly. It seems Joel Sutton is truly devoted to Azure Vaughn. It’s hard for me to win him over. But once Henry Preston piques Azure Vaughn’s interest, I might have an opportunity. Besides, my goal is just to regain some mental balance, not to find true love.

"Joel!!"

Azure Vaughn appeared ahead. She also wore a white dress, but her youthful aura made her seem more pure than me.

Seeing me with Joel Sutton, she seemed not the least suspicious, instead joyfully greeting me, "Miss Hathaway, what brings you here?"

"I just performed in the concert hall and happened to run into Sutton." I replied with a gentle smile.

"I heard there was a breathtaking symphony performance in the concert hall earlier. Were you part of it, Miss Hathaway? That’s so unfortunate. There were some matters with the club, so I missed your performance." Azure Vaughn’s pretty face showed genuine regret.

Joel Sutton replied, "No wonder I couldn’t find you, and your phone was unreachable."

Azure Vaughn’s eyes flashed with unease, perhaps also with a hint of exhaustion. Her smile seemed a bit forced, "I had my phone on silent today, so I didn’t hear it."

"The beginning of the school year is indeed the busiest time. Would you like to join me for a meal? My treat." I asked them with a smile.

Azure Vaughn shook her head, "Thank you, Miss Hathaway, but I need to organize my dorm later, so I’ll just grab something at the cafeteria. How about you, Joel?"

Of course, Joel Sutton would wholeheartedly follow his girlfriend’s lead, even though I just lent him twenty thousand last night.

"I’ll eat at the cafeteria too. Miss Hathaway, next time we’ll treat you with Azure." Joel Sutton sincerely said to me.

"Alright, I’ll head back then." I didn’t insist and nodded before leaving.

Lane was waiting for me. After getting in the car, I instructed, "Let’s go back."

The car started, driving down University A’s wide campus roads. Images of me once secretly trailing Henry Preston, trying to engineer chance encounters, filled my mind.

Suddenly, a silver Lexus slowly passed by, and if I wasn’t mistaken, through the half-open window, I saw Henry Preston’s profile.

Why is he suddenly here in a new car? This car is much more low-key than his fleet of luxury cars.

The only explanation I could think of is that he’s here to see Azure Vaughn, and he doesn’t want to attract too much attention.

No wonder Azure Vaughn’s expression was a bit off earlier, showing signs of fatigue. She’s probably been under Henry Preston’s intense pursuit these days. Being so forcefully pursued isn’t comfortable at first, especially when Azure’s already emotionally committed.

I wondered whether Henry Preston saw me just now. But with his mind focused on Azure Vaughn, he probably paid no attention to his surroundings.