<b>Chapter </b>273
“<b>Don’t </b>open <b>your </b><b>eyes</b>, <b>just </b>follow me, <b>okay</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>Connor’s deep, magne voice carried a hint <b>of </b>nervousness.
Could this <b>be </b>what she thought it was<b>? </b>Had Connor finally figured it out? Was he nning a surprise?
<b>Connor </b>gently guided her forward, his arm wrapped around her. Every time Flora tried to sneak a peek, hisrge hand would cover her <b>eyes </b>again.
<b>“</b><b>Trust </b>me. Don’t look
yet.”
Flora obediently stopped trying to look. With her sight blocked, her hearing became sharper. She could sense more and more people around them, and she recognized a few familiar voices.
“<b>Alright</b><b>, </b>you can open them now.”
Flora couldn’t wait to open her eyes. She found herself in a scene illuminated by twinkling lights and pink balloons, with arge heart made of red roses on the ground.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Ray, Raul, Henrik, Moss and Beck stood across from them, watching.
“Flora, I’ve waited for this day for so long.”
Connor was nervous, fearing Flora might not like it. He knelt down on one knee before her.
“My life has been filled with misfortune, but heaven pitied me and brought <b>you </b>into <b>my </b>life. Flora, will you be my wife<b>?</b><b>”</b>
He knew she was still young, and he shouldn’t rush, but he couldn’t help it. After Flora’s final exams, he had nned to propose. Only through this ceremony could he be sure she was his.
“These are properties in my name, all transferred to you, and this <b>card </b>contains all <b>my </b>savings. <b>I’m </b>giving it all to you now.”
Flora watched as Connor took out a thick stack of documents, amused and speechless. Most people proposed with rings and flowers, not bank books. Her Connor, so silly.
“Isn’t there anything else?” she teased with a smile.
Connor panicked. Did she think his gifts were too cliché?
have something else!” He hurriedly pulled out a small <b>gift </b><b>box </b>and carefully opened <b>it</b>. Inside was a custom–made ne with a jasmine bud pendant.
Flora smiled, leaned forward, and lifted her hair. “This is
more like it. Help me put it on, my future husband…”
The word “husband” sent a current through Connor’s entire body. His hand, holding the gift box<b>, </b>trembled. His chest heaved with overwhelming joy. He forgot to stand up, remaining half–kneeling as he <b>put </b>the ne on Flora. His hands were shaky. It’s the first time he put a ne <b>on </b>his girl, inevitably a bit clumsy.
Flora patiently waited, then pulled him up from the ground.
<i>e </i>took the hair tie from her wrist and put it on <b>Connor’s</b>.
“Keep it on. Don’t take it off. You’re taken now, no <b>getting </b>too close to other girls. I’ll get jealous.”
“Only you. Only you can be this close to me. I only want you.”
<b>Flora </b>understood his meaning, her eyes sparkling withughter. She gently pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips. Connor’s eyes darkened, and he gripped the back of Flora’s head, deepening the kiss. He was too happy, his breathing hot and tumultuous, as if he wanted <b>to </b>imprint Flora <b>into </b>his bones.
“Hey, hey, hey! We’re still here, you know!” Ray yelled, annoyed. Raul and Henrik discreetly coughed.
<b>It </b><b>took </b>Connor a while before he finally released Flora. Her ch
heart made of red roses on the ground.
“Connor<b>, </b>who arranged all this<b>?</b><b>” </b>she asked,
“I <b>did</b><b>,” </b>Ray stepped forward proudly. “Moved/aren’t you?<b>”</b>
flushed, and her gaze darted around until itnded on therge
Flora gave him an expressionless look, then turned to Connor. “Connor, <b>does </b>Ray have a grudge against <b>you</b><b>?</b><b>”</b>
Otherwise, why would he arrange it so tacky like this<b>?</b>
Time flew to the 23rd, the day everyone had been eagerly awaiting–the release of the final exam results.
Early in the morning, the teachers of Westbrook High School’s <b>senior </b><b>year </b>gathered in the office, waiting. The usually calm teachers
could sit somewhat peacefully<b>, </b>but those who were naturally impatient paced back and <b>forth</b><b>, </b>making everyone <b>dizzy</b>.
“Can you stop pacing, please<b>?</b><b>” </b>one teacher looked at <b>Keaton </b>irritably. “You’re making my head spin.”
<b>“</b>I’m anxious, okay<b>?</b>” Keaton kept pacing, wondering how the students had performed.
<b>Finally</b>, <b>at </b>9 oclock, all <b>the </b>teachers <b>crowded </b><b>together </b>to see <b>the </b>results. <b>The </b><b>data </b><b>analyst </b><b>had </bpiled all <b>the </b>scores into a chart for <b>easy </b><b>viewing</b>. The <b>top </b><b>ten </b><b>in </b><b>the </b>grade were <b>mostly </b>students <b>from </b>ss <b>A</b>, except <b>for </b><b>Kaylee</b>. She was seventh in the grade and <b>twentieth </b><b>in </b><b>the </b>state<b>.</b>
<b>“</b>Well done<b>!</b>” Keaton was thrilled. He hadn’t expected Kaylee to score so high. This time, the exam was so difficult, <b>and </b>she managed <b>to </b>score higher than usual! She could even aim for the University of Maple Grove!
<b>Keaton </b>nced <b>at </b>other students‘ scores in his ss. Aside from Kaylee and the yet–to–be–counted Flora<b>, </b>five had reached <b>the </b>threshold <b>for </b>top universities, twenty <b>for </b>first–tier universities, and the rest were in the second tier. Keaton was quite satisfied with these results. ss Z was known to be the worst in the school. His goal wasn’t high, just wanting every student to have a university to <b>attend</b>. “Hey, why isn’t Flora’s score listed here?” A teacher came over, eager to see Flora’s results, but after looking through, he realized Flora’s wasn’t there. Keaton was also eager to know Flora’s score. The school’s tally was slower than students logging in to check themselves, so Keaton stepped aside and called Flora. Just before the call was about to disconnect automatically, it was answered. Keaton heard Flora’s somewhat hoarse voice.
“Hello…”
“Are you still sleeping?”
“I just woke up.” Noise rustled on the other end as Flora got up from bed.