Chapter 3 Sneaking Out

When Henry got out of the car, Sunny thought he was attending to some personal business, so she relaxed and leaned back against the seat.

She glanced sideways.

Richard's high nose bridge split the light filtering into the car. His eyes were closed, and he seemed to be taking a nap.

Six minutes later, Henry returned with a bag branded with a pharmacy logo and handed it directly to Sunny.

"Miss Garcia," he said.

"Thank you," Sunny instinctively took the bag.

She opened it and, aided by the dim streetlight, she saw it contained bottles and jars.

Swelling medication and ice packs.

Sunny felt puzzled.

After a moment of contemplation, she understood.

It must have been Colin's orders; otherwise, how would they know her hand had been injured?

The sleek black luxury car merged with the dark night, speeding along the elevated highway before finally stopping at the apartment building where Sunny lived.

"Thank you for tonight," Sunny got out of the car and sincerely thanked him.

"Close the door," Richard spoke lazily without opening his eyes, his tone cold and indifferent.

Sunny closed the door and stood there watching the car disappear into the distance.

The fully armored, extended Lincoln was a symbol of prestige.

At the front, Henry handed a document to the man in the backseat.

"As you expected," Henry said, "Miss Garcia was the one who persuaded Mr. Johason to sign off on the demolition agreement."

The company had long been eyeing the demolition project in the northern district, but it had faced strong resistance. It couldn't proceed smoothly.

Earlier in the year, the leader of the resistance, Mr. Johason, had written a lengthy letter to the authorities in fine handwriting, outlining his firm stance against the project.

Mr. Old Stuart had personally intervened, advising that the northern district should be left alone for the time being.

Henry wondered how Miss Garcia had managed to convince such a hard-headed individual.

He wiped his nose.

Would the boss think he was useless and send him packing to the construction site?

Richard remained unfazed, lightly flicking the document and casually tossing it aside.

It landed right where Sunny had been sitting just moments ago.

The light turned green, and with no further instructions from the boss, Henry started the car and sighed in relief.

The pain relief from the ointment worked immediately. Within two days, Sunny's hand had swollen down significantly, and there was no more pain when she moved it.

She was still in school, so for convenience, she mostly stayed in her apartment.

On Monday, Sunny went back to school to take the final exam for her professional course. After completing this course, her credits would be mostly sufficient.

After the exam, she left the science building and headed to the nearest cafeteria for lunch. After eating, she placed her tray in the return area and was about to head back to her dorm.

At the south entrance of the cafeteria stood two acacia trees, an area once used as the entrance to the Royal Military Bureau.

Sunny stood in the shade, and senior Grace messaged her asking where she was and if she was free, with an urgent need for help.

Sunny replied she was at the cafeteria and free.

Grace asked her to come to the auditorium.

A major figure was visiting the dean today, donating a huge sum, and students were needed as volunteers. The outstanding Grace had stood out and gotten the rare opportunity. However, she suddenly remembered her paper for a class was due in two hours and hurriedly looked for a study room, typing away furiously.

"Sunny, the leaders remember my name. If I leave a bad impression, I'm worried it will affect the selection for awards. Please help me out, and I'll treat you to a meal another day. Please!" Grace's voice message sped through with urgency.

"Will your appearance give me away?"

"No, he's face-blind and doesn't really remember faces!"

"Alright, I'm coming over now." Sunny had left casually today, not bothering to dress up, just in a simple linen white shirt and jeans.

Now it worked out well.

The cafeteria was about 500 meters from the auditorium, and Sunny arrived quickly. After getting prepared and understanding the tasks, she and a few other volunteers entered the auditorium.

The senior figures in suits were gathered around a man who sat comfortably on a black sofa, his well-fitted suit highlighting his broad shoulders and long legs as he expertly handled conversations from all sides.

The LED strip lights glistened like golden water ripples, casting a glow over Richard.

Nearby, students couldn't help but glance at him but quickly looked away, afraid to stare too long.

The Stuart family had some connections with Principal Pu's family, as their ancestors had served together in the military. Thus, their families had always been on good terms.

Although this event appeared to be a charitable donation, it could also be seen as a political alliance.

Usually, events like this served water, but due to the high profile of the visitors, they couldn't allow such a VIP to drink something so casual.

Sunny was serving tea, focused on her task.

She noticed Richard's gaze briefly land on her, then linger.

In her field of vision was his pale, slender fingers, with rounded mother-of-pearl nails. Further up, he wore a delicate bracelet with two red jade pendants shaped like cherries.

Richard slightly lifted his eyelids, and his gaze slowly moved from the papers in his hands to her face.

His intense stare made Sunny try to calm herself.

"Sneaking out?" His voice was cold and lazy, tinged with subtle mockery.

Sunny raised her eyelashes, quickly meeting Richard's eyes before lowering her gaze again.

The man was in a custom black suit, tied with a perfectly neat Eldredge knot. His eyebrows were sharp, and his deep-set eyes had a hint of a smile, resembling a cold, aloof CEO.

Sunny had been with Colin for nine years, and their relationship had a significant gap in status. There were rumors that she was just Colin's kept woman, worthless.

As the second son of The Stuart family, Richard represented their power and, naturally, didn't appreciate her.

Sunny's long lashes trembled almost imperceptibly, and she responded calmly, "Students naturally stay at school."

"When will you graduate?"

Sunny didn't understand why he was asking but still answered honestly, "Next year."

At this, Richard seemed to smile lightly.

Sunny returned to the volunteer gathering room, Room 909, where the other volunteers were excitedly chatting.

"That man is just ridiculously handsome!"

"He looks like a male star who lives off his looks, but even they pale in comparison. He's way more handsome and elegant!"

"He's definitely good-looking, absolutely out of this world. Even I, a guy, feel a little moved."

"Oooh~"

"Oooh what? I'm not gay, I'm straight as an arrow!"

The gossiping never stopped, lively and noisy.

Meanwhile, Sunny was calmly drinking water, completely uninterested.

"Sunny, you're here too, that's great!"

It was Paul, a former member of the folk music band, and one of her roommates. They had played together at the school anniversary ceremony.

One time, Colin came to visit Sunny at school, and Paul saw them. He knew about their close relationship.

"Can you confirm if that man is Richard, the second son of The Stuart family?"