Soon, another text came from Ruby: [My mother has been a little unwell lately so I am taking care of her.]
Ella’s body relaxed slightly. Her fingers quickly typed a reply: [Take care of yourself and Auntie. If there is any problem, text me.]
After Ella sent the message, Ruby was still typing.
Ella waited yet no text appeared. After a few long minutes, two small words greeted her sight.
Those words were concise, mirroring the way Ruby spoke.
But Ella figured that she was thanking her for taking the blame for this entire incident. Because it made it seem like she did it for Max, and hence, Max was held responsible for everything that happened.
After knowing that Ruby was safe and she was not blamed for the whole incident, Ella could finally put her mind at ease and focus on her studies.
On the third day, it started drizzling all over Vermilion City and news of an upcoming torrential downpour did rounds everywhere.
The university declared a 2-day holiday to give the students time to prepare for the upcoming exams.
Initially, Ella was faring well but in the back of her mind, there was a nagging thought constantly bothering her.
On the third day, Ella finally checked her last text exchange with Adrian.
It was 3 days ago when he had sent her a picture of himself and she had responded with a mushy text.
Ella could not put two and two together.
She had not reached out to him because the day they went out for dinner, she had already convinced him that she would need her space to prepare for exams.
It almost left a nagging suspicion in her mind. Could it be possible that she was in some new trouble?
Ella dismissed the thought as quickly as it came.
Ever since the confrontation with Esther in the campus, she did not hear from Esther directly.
And right now, Esther had directly or indirectly offended a lot of people so she would not have time to stir up troubles for her.
And just like that, her thoughts circled back to the silence.
If it was neither this nor that, then why was Adrian so quiet these days?
Holding the phone in her hand, Ella put her book aside and slumped on the bed.
A wild notion formed in her mind.
Could it be... he took her words from before seriously and was giving her space now?
Back then, she had taken a lot of effort to convince him and he had barely agreed. Did he actually go along with her wishes?
Ella felt like her seven worldviews were shaken.
After pondering over it for a moment, she decided that it was time to check on Mr. King and get some recent updates of his situation.
But just as her fingers had started typing—
Startled, she jumped. Her phone slipped and smacked her nose.
"Miss Yu... Miss Yu...’’
The call was put on the speaker accidentally and hearing her panting, Bertha’s panicky voice rang.
Gently rubbing her nose, Ella slowly picked up the phone and noticed that it was a call from the Eve Mansion.
"Miss Yu, where are you? Who are you with? Why are you panting?"
Ella had just managed to sit up on the bed but she nearly plopped back again when she heard that.
"_" Was her character that questionable?
Before Bertha could continue spiralling, Ella spoke up, ’’I am in the girls hostel, Bertha. And I can assure you that not every man can sneak in here, unlike your Second Master."
The person on the other side seemed to have gone speechless by the revelation that their second master snuck into the girl’s hostel.
Satisfied with her reaction, Ella massaged her nose that she doubted was broken, "What’s up, Bertha? Did you miss me too much?"
"Ah, Miss Yu, it’s not that..."
"_" Quite straightforward you are.
Before Ella could say a word, she heard Bertha’s voice drop.
"Miss Yu, it’s... It is the pup... Little Master. He has been acting weird. We... we don’t know what to do."
Ella pushed herself to her feet, ’’What about Riri? Wasn’t he on the business trip with Adrian?"
"Second Master came back this morning and he left for the company in no time. But... that...’’
Hearing her hesitating, Ella lost her patience, ’’Take care of Riri for me. I will be there.’’
That afternoon, Ella abruptly shoved a few essentials in her bag and went out of the campus.
As Ella waited for the cab she had booked, it suddenly started drizzling.
Instinctively, she reached out inside her bag, only to realize that she had forgotten to bring her umbrella.
"Daddy, why are you here?"
"The weather wasn’t good. I was worried about my princess."
Hearing the familiar voice, Ella turned, heart lifting slightly—
Only for it to freeze mid-beat.
At a little distance, she spotted a familiar figure that she had not seen in years.
The man was tall and broad shouldered yet the years seemed to have aged him just a little.
In his hand, he held an umbrella.
But the umbrella wasn’t for her. Just as it never had been.
The man held Esther protectively under the umbrella, shielding her from the rain.
Esther’s gaze briefly met Ella’s before she looked away.
"I forgot to bring my umbrella. It’s good that you were here in time,’’ Esther pouted and clung to the man’s arms, acting like a spoiled kid.
The man laughed, "You are still a child. How can I not worry about you?" The man glanced at her dotingly.
As the raindrops fell, Ella was thoroughly drenched in no time.
She stood in her spot, watching the car disappear from her view.
"Miss... Miss... Did you book the cab?"
Ella snapped out of her reverie and immediately got inside the cab.
But the scene of familial affection still played out in front of her eyes.
In her previous life, how many sleepless nights had she spent wondering why she was the outcast in the Yu Family?
*Ella shuts her book and checks her phone for the 520th time*
Author: *lounging on her bed, munching an apple* Still waiting on the devil?
Ella: He’s been too quiet. That’s never a good sign.
Author: Missing him already?
Ella: When it’s the big devil, silence is a red flag, not a lullaby.
Author: I might know what he’s up to... but I have a condition.
Ella: *perks up* Name your price.
*Author leans in, whispers something*
Ella: *turns to the readers* Hey, sweethearts~ Wanna know what Adrian’s plotting along with me? Then show me some love—golden tickets, power stones, reviews, gifts!
*Author grabs the readers and runs*
Ella: *glares* You scam! Come back! You promised!