Chapter 361

Chapter 361 42.9240 自 Elysia and Ava let out a long sigh of relief. Seeing Elena finally make peace with her family, they couldn’t help but feel happy for her.

“University, huh?” Ava’s eyes lit up at the mention. She linked arms with Elysia and Elena. “Elena’s headed to Jorlandia. Wha about you, Elysia? Where’re you thinking of applying?”

Elysia hesitated for a moment, her eyes flickering. “Jorlandia, she finally said.

Ava nodded. “Then I’m applying to a university in Jorlandia, too. I know my grades aren’t as good as yours, but if I work hard, getting into a third–tier school in Jorlandia shouldn’t be impossible “Third–tier school? You’re selling yourself short, Elysia teased, nudging Ava playfully.

Ava pouted, sticking out her lower lip. “I’m just being realistic!”

Eric walked by just then and overheard their conversation. He couldn’t resist chiming in. “You? Third–tier school? You’ve got to be kidding yourself.”

Ava’s brows furrowed at Eric’s annoying tone. “What are you even saying, Eric? Are you saying I can’t get into a third–tier school?”

Eric looked her up and down, his eyes filled with doubt. “Yeah, I’m not convinced.”

Ava’s anger flared up. She clenched her fists, ready to give Eric a piece of her mind. But Eric was quicker. As soon as he saw her fists, he bolted into the classroom.

Ava’s punch missed, and she huffed in frustration. “Hey, get back here!” she shouted, chasing after him.

“Something’s going on in Eric’s mind,” Elysia muttered, shaking her head as she watched them run off.

“Yeah, indeed,” Elena agreed, nodding her head.

The two of them stood outside, chatting for a while. Meanwhile, Ava kicked Eric out of the classroom three times. Once, she even shoved him against the wall and gave him a good beating.

But Eric didn’t fight back. He just struggled to break free and ran again. Maybe they were tired because eventually, they both stopped coming out.

After watching the whole scene unfold, Elena decided not to stick around. She’d just gotten back to school and hadn’t even checked on her own class yet. She’d come straight to Class 6.

When Elysia walked in, Ava was lying face–down on her desk, looking totally defeated. Elysia glanced at Eric, who was sitting by the window, and then at Ava.

She gently placed her hand on Ava’s head. “Hey, what’s wrong? Did Eric bully you?” she asked softly.

“Come on, Elysia,” Eric protested, rolling his eyes. “You can’t just take her side like that. You have no idea how rough she got with me. She was like a wildcat. If anyone needs protection here, it’s me, the victim.”

Everyone in the class knew Eric was the school bully. Normally, no one dared to even touch him.

If a girl got on his bad side, she was toast. He wasn’t exactly known for his chivalry.

But just now, when Ava pinned him down and hit him, he didn’t fight back at all. It was completely out of character and had everyone rethinking what they knew about him.

1/3 09:58 Thu, 20 Mar Chapter 361 If they didn’t know him better, they might’ve thought he’d changed.

But everyone could see he just had a soft spot for Ava. They just didn’t say it out loud, *92%

“Sorry, but I stick up for my friends, not for what’s right,” Elysia said, shrugging like it was obvious Eric’s eyes widened as he asked. “Am I not your friend? Remember when you first got to Class 6? I had your back. If it weren’t for me, you’d have been toast,” he said like he was reminding her of a huge favor.

“Already forgot? You’re heartless,” Eric added, turning away like he was the one who got hurt. “Ava’s your friend, but I’m not?”

He sounded almost whiny.

Elysia pulled a wry face, thinking, ‘What’s his deal? He’s acting like he’s competing with Ava or something‘

Before Elysia could even respond, Ava couldn’t hold it back anymore. She straightened up and shook her fist at Eric. “Eric. are you looking for another round?” she said, her voice all tough.

Eric glanced at her and muttered under his breath, “Why is this girl always so rough? Can’t she be gentle for once?”

Ava’s eyes narrowed. “What did you say?” she asked, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.

Eric quickly raised his hands in surrender. “Sorry, I was wrong! Put your fist down. I gotta keep some dignity here,” he said, his voice all whiny and desperate.

Hearing that, everyone was stunned. This wasn’t the Eric they knew at all.

Sterling’s mouth was hanging open the whole time. Even if he was usually slow to catch on, he could tell something was different.

‘Is Eric actually getting a girlfriend? I better start treating Ava with extra respect. What if she really becomes his girl? Sterling thought, his mind racing.

*****

When school finished in the afternoon, Zane was already waiting outside. Alice stood next to the Maybach, and as soon as she spotted Elysia, she waved her arms like crazy and shouted, “Elysia!”

Elysia walked over, flashed a sweet smile at Alice, and playfully ruffled her hair.

Zane stood nearby, feeling a little annoyed. His niece was getting in the way. Elysia hadn’t even glanced his way or smiled at him.

Just then, Alice hooked her arm through Elysia’s, her face glowing. “Elysia, come on. Let’s go!” She practically dragged Elysia to the backseat of the Maybach.

Zane had been hoping to catch a few words with Elysia, but Alice’s move ruined that. He sighed and climbed into the driver’s seat.

As soon as the car pulled away, Alice started chattering away non–stop.

Even when they pulled into Royal Bay, she kept talking like she hadn’t said enough already. She still had her arm linked with Elysia’s, planning to head back to her villa and keep yakking.

But after just a few steps, Zane grabbed her collar from behind. “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I... I’m going back with Elysia. I still have more to say,” Alice stammered, looking a little sheepish.

“Why can’t you be more mature for once?” Zane shook his head, clearly exasperated.

2/3 Chapter 201 Alice rolled her eyes. She thought Zane acted like everyone else was as cold as him.

She figured he should be grateful to have a lively and adorable niece like her, or else his villa would be too quiet I just talked to your teacher about how you’ve been doing at school, Zane said, his tone serious. “Do you think I should report back to your parents?

“Zane, you’re threatening me, Alice huffed, crowing her arms.

“Yeah, and you know what to do,” Zane replied, his voice flat.

自 Alice glanced at Zane and then at Elysia standing nearby. She looked like she was about to cry. “Elysia, I gotta go,” she said softly. Then she turned and walked back to Zane’s villa.

Elysia watched her small figure walk away. “Aren’t you worried she’ll hold a grudge against you?” she asked Zane, her voice gentle.

“No.” Zane shrugged. “I’m not planning on letting her take care of me when I’m old.”

Before Elysia could process that, Zane grabbed her hand and started pulling her along. She looked down at his hand holding hers, her cheeks turning a little pink. But she didn’t say anything, and she just let him lead her.

His hand had a certain appeal to it. It wasn’t as soft as a woman’s, but the rough texture and well–defined knuckles gave it a rugged charm. There was something quite attractive about it.