Chapter 73
“Crashing a meal p>
Even with Lisette’s wild imagination, she still couldn’t help twitching her lips at those two words.
Seriously, Owen would say absolutely anything!
She could practically picture Tobias’s expression reading that message. The richest man in the country, people lined up just for a chance to dine with him, and he never even glanced at those invites – yet here Owen was, claiming the billionaire was just here for free food?
Wow.
She lit a candle for Owen in her mind, may he rest in peace-temporarily, anyway.
“Since you’re one of my signed talents, I’ll let you live-for now. But if Tobias hears this nonsense? Trust me, your kidneys won’t be the only thing hurting p>
Leisurely, she shot Owen a text: [You look like someone people would naturally be suspicious of p>
Buzz! Buzz!
Her phone buzzed-it was a call from Owen.
Class hadn’t started yet, and she was the only one in the room. With not enough sleep and still groggy from lunch, she figured a little back-and-forth would wake her up. So she picked up.
“You calling to spice things up? What’s the matter, lunch wasn’t good enough, or are roller coasters and bungee jumping not thrilling anymore p>
Owen grumbled, “Woman, come on, can you not always roast me p>
“Excuse me, who are you calling ’woman p>
“Hmph p>
Finally appeased, the grumpy ’fairy queen’ got quiet, and Owen hesitated for a beat before stammering out, “That guy you were with-is he your boyfriend p>
Lisette rolled her eyes. “Mr. Owen, considering our new and very surface-level professional relationship, don’t you think you’re a little too nosy p>
“Surface-level p>
Owen almost had a heart attack. Annoyed, he blurted, “I freaking pursued you, don’t I get at least some insider info p>
She responded coolly, “Do you know how many people are lining up to chase me? I could form a conga line from Aurelian University all the way to Harvard. If I had to give each one an update, that’s all I’d be doing for the rest of my life p>
Owen mumbled, “Narcissist p>
“Wrong. It’s called self-awareness p>
A few classmates started streaming into the room. Lisette asked, “Anything else p>
Owen stayed on topic. “I just wanna know, that guy-Mr. Mooch-what’s the deal between you two p>
Lisette’s mouth twitched. “Mr. Mooch p>
“He came for your food. What else would you call him p>
She sighed. “I think you got it all wrong p>
“So he didn’t come to bum food off you? What, he dropped in to play knight in shining armor? Don’t tell me it was ’coincidentally’ running into you-no way the universe lines up that conveniently. Unless he’s stalking you p>
Lisette rubbed her forehead. “Owen, do you have paranoia or something? That man’s calendar is packed to the minute-who has the time to stalk me? It was pure coincidence p>
“Oh please, bet you were blinded by his face. You’re wiping his hands, holding hands-and I’m telling you, guy’s 100% got an agenda. He wants you. Be careful p>
Honestly, this was getting ridiculous.
Lisette couldn’t be bothered. “Talk to me when you win Best Actor p>
Then she hung up without another word.
Owen, being the persistent type, immediately followed up with texts.
One way or another, until Lisette backed off from what he called “Mr. Mooch,” he wasn’t giving up.
[You’re my agent. As your committed, award-chasing, morally-upright client who’s just trying to keep you from falling into a trap with a freeloading man-child, I’ve got to step in p>
Her phone buzzed nonstop. Lisette didn’t hesitate to mute Owen’s notifications and changed the contact note: [Nagging Turkey p>
Cocky. Absurd. Rambly.
As she exited the chat, another contact caught her eye – [Kept in the Dark p>
That nickname was from her past life.
Tobias used to be so consumed by work it was like he lived in his office – no sunlight, no social life, no trace of him around. That’s how he scored the cave-dweller label.
Lately though, he’s been clocking in and out like a regular 9-to-5 guy. He even had lunch with her today. It almost felt like he was peeling off that workaholic mask.
But did that mean he was no longer the elusive Tobias she’d known?
Nope.
She stared at his contact again, thought for a second, and renamed him to: [Congrats on Seeing Daylight p>
A week flew by.
Final exams rolled in for Lisette, and Bella’s sentence came through.
Even though Bella didn’t end up physically hurting anyone, the recordings were solid, and with four of the bleach-headed punks admitting everything and selling her out – not to mention Tobias’s top-tier legal team backing it – Bella still got a year.
The day Lisette finished exams, she bumped into Bella’s parents on campus. They were handling the deferment paperwork for their daughter.
They didn’t look great.
In family photos, despite being in their fifties, Bella’s folks had good posture and energy. Now? Hunched shoulders, tired faces – like they’d aged ten years overnight.
They’d hired the best lawyers in Veridia, dropped a fortune, and still lost. Their only child? Headed to jail.
When they saw Lisette in the dorm packing up, tensions were written all over their faces.
Bella’s mom looked like she was about to explode – her dad had to grip her arm to keep her from going off.
Neither of them said a word to Lisette. Instead, they only spoke to Lucy and Clara. Tried to make conversation a couple of times, but the girls clearly weren’t into it.
Still, Bella’s parents hung in there, packing up her stuff like nothing was wrong.
Lisette caught every bit of it.
It was obvious Lucy and Clara had zero patience for them, yet even so, the Hills kept directing their attention that way – probably as some passive goodbye to her too.
Was this their roundabout way of showing… disapproval?
Lisette’s lips quirked up slightly. Honestly, she didn’t care. No matter what Bella’s parents thought, her conscience was clear.
She zipped up the last of her books and headed out. She had bigger fish to fry today.
Tobias had gathered a dream-team of neurologists from around the world in Veridia. And they had plans to head to the Cavendish estate this afternoon – strictly for business.
Or, well… drama.
As she got into the car, her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She tossed her bag onto the passenger seat, started the car, and picked up.
“Hello p>
“Miss Cavendish, this is Dorian p>
“Well, if I’m getting a call from Mr. Clemens himself, does that mean Philip has finally made it to Veridia p>
Dorian’s voice was as composed as ever. “You’re quick p>
“When does he want to meet p>
“Tomorrow morning at nine. My team will be there to pick you up. Will you be staying at Grandview Apartments or the Cavendish estate tonight p>
Grandview – Tobias’s current place.
Lisette narrowed her eyes. Her tone went cold. “Seems like Mr. Clemens has a thing for digging into people’s lives p>