Alicia ignored Easton completely, focusing on the lecture with determined attention. Easton didnât try to bother her, either. The two of them sat side by side, close enough to brush shoulders, but with a polite silence hanging between them.
Every so often, Alicia glanced Eastonâs way, curiosity getting the better of her. This boy looked so much like Tyroneâsame strong brows, the same sharp line of the jaw. The resemblance was uncanny.
When the teacher finished the lesson and left the room, Easton immediately started tidying up his notes, carefully organizing every page.
He was diligent, never missing a chance to learn something new.
Alicia admired his dedication, but as soon as she remembered that Easton was working this hard just to compete with her husband for the family inheritance, her mood soured.
Annoyed, she shot him a glare. âDo you have to sit next to me?â
Easton looked wounded, like a puppy whoâd just been scolded. He hesitated before answering, âI... If I sit somewhere else, Nicole will just come over.
I really donât like sitting with her.â
Alicia took a deep breath, realizing he was using her as a human shield.
She didnât bother responding. Instead, when the next class began, she switched seats.
Easton looked even more pitiful after that. When Nicole made a move to sit beside him, he sprang to his feet, hugging his books to his chest, and started toward Aliciaâs new spot.
Not wanting him next to her again, Alicia made a quick decision and split up from Winnie, leaving an empty seat between them. That way, Easton wouldnât be able to squeeze in.
Winnie glanced at Alicia, confused. She didnât get why Alicia was so insistent on avoiding the boy. Easton was good-looking, and he really did bear a striking resemblance to Tyrone.
But she let it go without asking.
Easton, meanwhile, stood forlornly by Winnieâs side, clutching his books. âCan I sit between you two, please?â he asked, sounding almost heartbreakingly earnest.
Aliciaâs irritation spiked. He even wanted the middle seat now.
Nicole had finally had enough, slamming her hand on the desk as she stood up. âEaston! Whatâs your problem? Playing hard to get? Donât you realize how lucky youâd be to sit with me?â
Easton met her gaze, cool and unruffled. âSorry, I can only see the downsides. Youâre too loud, and I canât concentrate.â
Winnie couldnât help but laugh. This kid was something else.
Leaning back in her chair, she arched an eyebrow at him. âIf you want the middle seat, fine. But Iâm thirsty. Run across the street to that café and get me a strawberry milkshake. Actually, make it two. Youâve got ten minutes before class starts. Bring them back, and you can sit here.â
Eastonâs eyes lit up. He placed his notebook on the desk between Alicia and Winnie, then bolted out of the classroom.
Winnie stared after him, momentarily stunned. âWas he... actually serious? I was just joking.â
Alicia realized it, too. There wasnât even a café across the street from the school. To get a strawberry milkshake, heâd have to run two blocks awayâ
there was no way heâd make it back in ten minutes. Besides, did he even know what a strawberry milkshake was?
Sure enough, class started, and Easton was nowhere to be seen.
Alicia actually started to feel a little guilty. He loved studying so much.
Halfway through the class, Easton finally returned.
Thankfully, the teacher had stepped out for a bathroom break, so he slipped in unnoticed.
He was flushed and sweaty, still catching his breath, his tank top clinging to his tanned, muscular arms. It was obvious heâd worked hard all his lifeâ
muscles taut, skin glistening with sweat, his whole presence radiating youthful energy.
âHereâs your strawberry milkshake,â he said shyly, placing the drinks on Winnieâs desk. He was still a little out of breath.
Winnie stared at him, genuinely impressed for the first time. She hesitated, then stood up and let him take the seat between her and Alicia.
He was almost too obedient.
âHow far did you have to run?â Winnie asked.
Easton gave her a sheepish grin. âNot far. Just two blocks.â
Winnie offered him a small smile and returned to her reading, quietly shaken by the boyâs sincerity.
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
ï¤Chapter 289 The Heiress Acts Mischievously, But Her Family Can Read Her Mind ï¤Chapter 347: Administering Drugs Switched Marriage The Coddled Little Wife ï¤Chapter 538: Unimaginable