Chapter 427


    "I can get you there in three minutes if you ride with me, Cordelia. If you go alone, it might take you


    twenty," Harold suggested to Cordelia.


    Cordelia furrowed her brows, caught between annoyance and helplessness. "Let''s go," she finally


    conceded.


    Seated on Harold''s bicycle, Cordelia took in the verdant foliage of the college campus, the scent of


    academia, and the masculine allure of Harold. Suddenly, she was transported back to her days at


    Millstone College, riding behind Logan. Time had slipped away, and Logan was now gone.


    Sure enough, they arrived at the college auditorium in under three minutes. As they reached the


    entrance, Cordelia quickly hopped off the bicycle, just in time for her speech.


    As she ascended the stage, she noticed the students murmuring amongst themselves. At first, she


    didn''t understand what’s happening. Then it hit her, they were talking about Harold. After all, he had


    once painted a piece for her.


    Cordelia nced toward Harold''s spot in the crowd. The noise from the students grew louder when


    they saw her looking. A slight wave ofmotion swept across the auditorium.


    A faint blush appeared on Cordelia''s cheeks.


    Word of Harold''s pursuit of Cordelia had spread due to the painting and Cordelia''sint to the


    Dean. The college leaders knew about it, and while Mr. Reese had scolded Harold, they enjoyed


    discussing the matter behind their backs. After all, in this case, the woman in question was a teacher


    five years older than the male student!


    At that moment, the college leaders turned a blind eye.


    Campus romances were unpredictable. Cordelia knew this all too well. Rumors could turn into reality


    due to peer pressure. She was aware that if this continued, people like Petra, who loved to gossip,


    would multiply. Everyone would be watching her and Harold, and she might eventually yield to their


    demands. If she didn''t date Harold, she would be letting down their “well-intentioned” peers.


    However, Cordelia managed to calm herself and sessfully finished her presentation. she thought


    Harold might make a move after the meeting, but he left as soon as it ended.


    Earlier during the meeting, Harold had been messaging Mr. Evans. Mr. Evans said Emerson had


    returned to Millstone, while he and Callum were still in town.


    [Has Callum taken a liking to Birchwood?] Harold asked.


    [He''s a bit under the weather.] Mr. Evans replied.


    [I got him a small gift. I''ll give it to himter.]


    [Alright.]


    When Harold arrived at Ronan’s grandfather''s house, he noticed that Callum wasn''t as lively as usual.


    "Callum, I''ve brought you a gift. Do you like it?" Harold handed Callum a small bear plushie. It was


    even more adorable in its mini size.


    Although Callum wasn''t feeling well, he thanked Harold.


    "Mr. Evans, why don''t you stay here in Birchwood? It''s a great city to live in, and Callum likes it here.


    My mom can take care of Callum. Plus, our college basketball tournament is starting in a few days.


    Callum cane and watch. I''ll get you guys tickets. Money can''t buy those," Harold persuaded


    Ronan.


    "Really?" Callum''s eyes lit up. He was quite interested in basketball.


    "We''ll see. What''s with you? You seem in high spirits today." Ronan noticed Harold''s good mood.


    Ronan had a pretty good idea of what was going on in the young boy''s head. Love was a powerful


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    thing, and it was likely the reason behind Harold''s uplifted spirits.


    "It''s pretty good," Harold admitted, barely suppressing a grin.


    "Do tell," Ronan prompted, casually flipping through a book.


    "You''re interested in this?" Harold''s grin widened.


    "I''m more interested in who you''ve got your eye on."


    Harold didn''t respond, worried that if he told Ronan, Ronan might tell his mother. Even though his


    mother was fairly open-minded, she was still set in her ways. She would definitely oppose him dating


    his teacher, especially since Cordelia was five years his senior. He decided to wait.


    "Just someone on campus," Harold finally said.


    At that moment, Callum gave his father a pitiful look. "Dad, can we go watch the basketball game?


    Please?"


    "We''ll see," Ronan replied, ruffling Callum''s hair.