CHAPTER 347: CHAPTER 347: SWINDLED OUT OF EVERYTHING

Audrey Sutton reached out and took the envelope from the little girl’s hand. The envelope’s exterior bore no information. Audrey crouched down and asked the little girl, "Can you tell sister who gave this to you?"

The little girl pressed her lips tightly and shook her head, then turned around and ran away.

Audrey was momentarily stunned, stood up, examined the envelope in her hand, and seeing no one around, walked over to the rest area on one side of the hall and sat down to open the envelope.

This time, the envelope was thin, and Audrey poured out its contents, which were just two photographs.

The first photograph was a duo picture of Sean Warner and a girl, seemingly taken during school, with the background being the school playground.

This girl, Audrey remembered seeing her, somewhat resembled the wife of the couple she had met last time when Shane took her to Serephina.

Audrey felt a bit bewildered, pulled the second photo to the front, and upon seeing Stephen Sutton in the photograph, Audrey’s body immediately froze, her brows furrowing even tighter in confusion.

This photo was of Stephen Sutton and the girl, apparently taken at a school graduation ceremony, as they both were still wearing academic gowns.

Audrey looked at these two photos, completely puzzled by the connection between them. What was the person trying to tell her?

The fact that her brother and Sean Warner were classmates was something she heard the couple talk quite a bit about last time, which wasn’t a secret to her. But what was the purpose of this person sending this stuff to her in this way?

"Ding dong—"

The sound from the phone in her bag pulled Audrey’s thoughts back, it was a message from Shane: Where are you?

Audrey: Buying milk tea, do you want some?

Audrey put the photos back into the envelope, stood up, and headed toward the milk tea shop across the street.

Shane: Bring me a cup of coffee, please.

Audrey: Okay.

Audrey hesitated but eventually decided not to tell Shane about these odd happenings, as it was related to his brother, afraid it might stir up memories he’d rather not recall.

While waiting for milk tea in the shop, Audrey sent that number to her second brother, wanting him to help check it out.

At least she had to figure out who was giving her this information.

But a few minutes later, her second brother replied: Virtual number, and it’s international. Why are you investigating this?

Though anticipated, the result still made Audrey sigh, she merely replied to her brother: I received a prize call, and thought it was real.

Her brother replied with some annoyance: I think your salary card should be managed by your husband, you’re likely to be cheated out of your entire fortune with your brain.

Although curious, Audrey realized she didn’t have the capability to uncover the truth, and besides, she didn’t know if it was some sort of setup, hence she decided not to bother tracing these photo connections.

She thought, if this person truly wanted to convey some information to her, they would certainly reach out to her again actively, she just needed to wait quietly.

Monday.

Phoebe King tagged along with Audrey Sutton to attend Stephen Sutton’s class, still the same as before, grabbing a spot near the platform early.

Stephen seemed to anticipate her presence, showing no surprise as he entered the classroom, he calmly walked to the podium and started teaching.

Audrey noticed the girl sitting two rows behind her, was the same girl she saw at the flower venue that day.

Audrey nudged Phoebe’s arm and asked quietly, "Do you know that girl?"

Phoebe glanced in the direction Audrey’s gaze pointed and lowered her head, replying, "It’s the girl I met that night, didn’t I tell you? I only met her once that night, she thought I was your brother’s girlfriend."

Audrey: "What’s her name?"

Phoebe: "I just heard your brother call her Lana, I don’t know her full name."

Audrey sneakily took out her phone, surreptitiously snapped a photo, and sent it to the dorm group to ask around.

In this regard, Flora Lane and Seraphina Vaughn were practically all-knowing. Quickly Seraphina replied: From the Department of Traditional Chinese Painting, Lana Holloway. Didn’t the school exhibit her paintings last time?

Flora: The one who painted "Ten Miles of Scenery".

Barry Barrett supplemented: She’s on a full scholarship.

Audrey suddenly realized, so it was her.

That Six’s taste is impressive.

"Knock, knock—"

The table was knocked, and Audrey realized Stephen had somehow walked down and was standing beside her desk.

While continuing to teach, he unobtrusively reached out and took Audrey’s phone.

Audrey: "..."

Though he was her big brother, getting your phone confiscated by the teacher during class was still pretty embarrassing.

She immediately picked up the pen trying to appear as if she were seriously taking notes, hoping her big brother would be merciful and not report her to Shane.

During the break, Stephen returned the phone to Audrey, sternly telling her, "Next class, if you use it again, I’ll call Shane."

Audrey nodded like a pecking chicken, displaying a humble and apologetic demeanor, respectfully took the phone back from Stephen.

Outside of class, she could mess around all she wanted, but during class, Stephen did not treat her as a sister, instead, he was stricter with her than with anyone else.

Some things, he might overlook when it came to others, but when it came to her, he would definitely take her out to teach her.

In the afternoon.

Phoebe King had lunch with Audrey and others in the school cafeteria, afterwards intending to rest in the classroom dormitory for a while.

She thought if she were lucky, she might even bump into Stephen.

Phoebe, riding her motorcycle, encountered Stephen halfway there.

He wasn’t driving, probably just returning from lunch.

"Beep—" Phoebe honked at him, Stephen glanced back, saw it was her, then continued walking with an expressionless face.

Phoebe parked the bike next to him, took off her helmet and said, "Teacher Sutton, let me give you a lift?"

Stephen didn’t turn his head, maintaining his stride, continuing forward.

Phoebe slowly rode the bike alongside him, "Teacher Sutton, do you have class this afternoon?"

Stephen still ignored her.

An elderly grandmother came walking by with her grandson to skateboard, greeted Stephen with a smile, "Sutton, class over?"

Stephen nodded and smiled, "Taking Shane out to play again?"

"Oh! This little rascal can’t sit still, fussing to come out right after lunch." She said, as she looked down at the little over three-year-old boy next to her instructing, "Call uncle."

The child obediently listened, slightly shy, yet cheerfully called out, "Uncle."

Stephen smiled, with an innate kindness towards children.

The grandmother then turned her gaze to Phoebe on the roadside motorcycle, glanced at Phoebe a few times, seemingly puzzled, "Is this Audrey? How come she’s changed?"