Chapter 103
Chapter 103 Encounter With the New Neighbor
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Not only would Maya give her iced chocolate and delicious biscuits, but she would also explain math problems to her.
The way Maya explained lessons was just like how her mentor used to teach her-always incredibly gentle and patient with her.
After a full day at school, Zora packed up her backpack and got ready to head home.
“Zora, wanna walk back together?” Hallie finished packing her things and walked over, inviting her as usual.
“Hallie, I’m not going back to the Marlow Manor today,” Zora said softly.
“You’re not staying with the Marlows anymore? What happened? Did something go wrong? Where are you living now? If you’ve got nowhere to go, come stay with me p>
The moment Hallie heard that, she assumed Zora had fallen out with the Marlow family, just like the messy drama that had gone down with the Knox family before.
Worried Zora might be left with no place to stay, she fired off one anxious question after another.
Maya, who was still tidying up her textbooks, along with Easton and Felix sitting in the front
all turned their heads, their faces filled with obvious concern.
row,
“Zora, what’s going on p>
Į
“I talked to Jensen and decided to move out on my own. We’re seniors now, and schoolwork’s the top priority. The Marlow Manor’s pretty far from the school, so I found a place closer by. Nothing bad happened. I’m staying over at Aria Estates now p>
Zora met their worried gazes, a strange, warm flutter settling in her chest. She shook her head and offered them a calm explanation.
“Aria Estates?!” Easton blurted out in surprise.
His dad had been trying for ages to buy a property there but never qualified-only five families lived in the entire upscale complex so far.
He never thought their sweet, quiet Zora would end up living there too.
Clearly Jensen cared about her more than anyone could tell.
The
group all relaxed, relieved that nothing terrible like the Knox family drama had repeated
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Chapter 103 Encounter With the New Neighbor
itself.
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Finished
Zora said goodbye to her friends, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and headed toward Aria Estates.
“Little Zora p>
She’d just walked into the residential lobby and pressed the elevator button when a refined, pleasant voice sounded from behind her.
Zora turned around.
A tall, elegant man stood there. Dressed in a tailored black suit with broad shoulders and a slim waist, his figure was perfectly proportioned. The collar of his shirt hung slightly open, revealing a faint glimpse of delicate collarbone. His black tie hung loosely around his neck, his sleeves rolled up at the wrists, and he held a pink gift bag in one hand.
A faint smile played on his lips, his features strikingly handsome-soft double eyelids, long eyelashes, sharp and defined. Under the lobby’s warm lighting, his amber eyes shimmered like scattered starlight.
One thought crossed Zora’s mind instantly. The breathtakingly handsome man is back.
“Don’t you recognize me anymore?” When she stayed quiet, Leighton stepped over to stand beside her.
“Leighton p>
Zora pulled her gaze away and spoke in a quiet voice.
“Just got out of school p>
Leighton’s eyes crinkled lazily with amusement.
“Mhm p>
2
“You’re being awfully distant. You only said two words to me, and one of them is just my name. Honestly, you only really said one word p>
Leighton’s tone dropped a little; he let out a soft sigh and spoke in a slow, teasing drawl.
Hearing his faint tone of hurt, Zora frowned slightly. The guy behind her almost sounded a little wronged.
She felt a light touch on her shoulder and turned her head in confusion, watching as he reached out to tug at her backpack strap.
“Let me carry that for you. Don’t strain your delicate frame and stunt your growth. Your cousin
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Finsned
told me to look after you. If he comes and finds you’ve grown shorter all because of this, he’ll definitely give me an earful-and I’d rather not get lectured by him p>
Leighton lifted her backpack easily and slung it over his own shoulder, speaking in a slow, easy
tone.
The cousin he mentioned was naturally Jensen.
Zora wanted to tell him badly that she was fully grown now-no amount of heavy bags could make her any shorter.
Before she could get a word out, he cut her off again, holding out the pink gift bag right in front of her.
“Hmm?” Zora blinked in confusion.
“A little housewarming gift for my new neighbor. Let’s get along well from now on, little Zora p>
Leighton said it with perfectly sincere seriousness.
Zora glanced down into the bag. Inside was a gorgeous triple-layer milk pudding topped with fresh strawberries, paired with a skewer of sweet dessert bites on the side. It looked absolutely delicious.
“Thank you p>
It was something to eat. Zora pressed her lips together. She’d turn down most gifts, but this creamy little pudding looked too good to pass up.
Seeing the glimmer of delight in her eyes, Leighton knew he’d picked the perfect present for once. His unreliable cousin had finally gotten something right for once.
The elevator doors slid open slowly, and the two stepped inside as the car began its quiet
ascent.
“Have you eaten dinner yet?” Leighton asked, glancing sideways at the slender, petite girl beside him.
She wore a pale yellow waist-tied dress with a bow at the waist, her figure so delicate his palm could easily wrap around her waistline.
She looked even thinner than the first time they’d met.
Did the Marlows not feed her well?
The Knoxes really treated this girl poorly; they were truly terrible people.
“Not yet.” Zora shook her head.
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Chapter 103 Encounter With the New Neighbor
នគ
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Finished
She hadn’t decided what to have for dinner. Jensen had wanted to arrange for someone to
come take care of her daily needs, but Zora had turned the offer down.
洄
30
BB
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Hostess & New Family Adored by All