Chapter 228
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The nest second , Nathan’s message popped up : [ u guys at Larkridge Hight At the girls dorm ?
Derek ignored him completely .
Then another notification – Aria had just transferred him a hundred thousand dollars . ( This month’s living expenses
He clutched his phone , grinning like an idiot , and after a few
or a few seconds , burst out laughing .
He took a screenshot and posted it . What’s it like to have a sugar mama by your side ! ]
Lennox saw the post and was stunned
Aria was really this generous with Derek ?
Well , considering she’d made off with thirty million from him , it kind of made sense .
Just the thought of it annoyed him ; his brows drew tight , a cold look in his eyes .
With a sheer , he sent screenshots of both posts into the family group chat …
Lennox Aria’s so generous to you , I’m honestly jealous .
Derek , in a great mood , shot back : Too bad , you’re not as lucky .
Gloria : You took money from Aria ? )
Arpay : Running away from home and taking handouts ? Derek , get your ass back here ! ]
Derek : [ So what if Aria felt sorry for me and sent me money ? You’re the one’s who froze my cards !
Lexie : [ Arnaw , why’d you freeze Derek’s cards ?
Derek : Not just froze my cards – they kicked me out too . Thank God Arla took me in
Lexie looked at the messages and quietly smiled .
Their housekeeper asked , “ Should I bring Derek home ? ”
Lexie shook her head , “ No need , Aria’s a good one. Derek’s happy there .”
But even as she said it , she still sent money to her grandson .
Derek didn’t touch it – he’d already lined up a part – time job , ready to support himself .
The accusations in the group chat kept coming , but Derek had had enough and left the group altogether .
Lennox noticed right away : Looks like Derek left the group .
Amay : [ Ungrateful brati ]
In his room , Lennox smirked at the screen as a call came in .
He answered , “ Lennox , Patrick’s started a company – Nimbus Tech. You can intern there over winter break , ” said Peyton Maddox .
Lennox knew Patricka PhD student at Kanit University , three – time programming competition champ , and Deangelo’s star pupil . Lennox was excited . “ Send me Patrick’s WhatsApp ? ”
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“ I don’t have it , but I’ll send your
scruber’s contact , ” Peyton said ,
That cheered Lenox right up .
He DM’d the recruiter , but Peylon soon replied : “ We’re full up
Lennox frowned and quickly typed back : [ Peyton , this internship’s really important to me . Can’t you kick out the weakest link and let me try ? Eknowl could help you guys .
Lennon wasn’t lacking in talent or awards , and as a Fletcher , it wouldn’t look great to turn him down .
Peyton : Alright
He had HR bring up the new hires résumés , and bis eyes landed on one . “ Derek ? Isn’t he a pharmaceutical analyst ? What’s he doing at a tech company ? “ .
“ He’s got great hands – on skills , ” said the recruiter .
Everyone knew Derek wasn’t valded at home like Lennox was
Peyton made the call . “ Not in the right major . Why’d we even hire him ? Cut him – bring Lennox in
Seven new hires , all friends or Patrick’s referrals – Derek was the easiest to drop .
“ But the offer’s already been sent . He got in through ..
“ Is what I say useless ? ”
“ Fine ”
In the girls ‘ dorm , Lily’s five roommates couldn’t stop grinning at the skincare products she brought , international brands , a thousand bucks a set
They tried to play it cool , but , “ Aria , you really don’t have to bring us anything next time you pick Lily up ! ”
“ Lily’s helped us all so much with our studies – our whole dorm’s grades improved after the mock exams . The homeroom teacher even gave us all thermoses . We’d feel bad taking your gifts again . ”
High school was rough , especially senior year – everyone sacrificing for that one goal , losing sleep , breaking out , looking like death .
Aria’s gift hit right where it counted . Still , they worried they’d get used to the good stuff and spoil their skin .
Aria just smiled , “ If you all get into good universities , I’ll cover your skincare for the next four years . So study hard , alright ? ”
“ Thank you , Arial ”
Lily was officially their lucky charm .
Aria waved . “ See you next time ! We’re heading out .”
“ Bye ! ” The girls waved them off .
Just then , Nathan ran up , only to spot Derek grinning as he took Lily’s books .
“ Lily , time to head home , ” Derek said .
“ Thanks , ” Lily replied .
Aria started the car , her gaze passing right over Nathan without a flicker .
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She pulled away , leaving him standing there , chest tight and aching , watching the car disappear
They were supposed to be the closest in the world – be was the one who’d ruled
Back home , Caleb stood at the door with a bag of ghs , a tired smile on his face . “ Wris ,
“ You’re back , ” Aria greeted him .
Caleb had just returned from a two month business trip to Dluoland , looking absolutely exhausted . “ Weah , the deal went through . I’ll have more time
new .
This international partnership had eaten up all his time ,
Lily crept up shyly . “ Hello ”
Aria opened the door and they all headed in . Caleb reached to ruffle Lily’s hair , then paused , remembering he hadn’t washed his hands pet – and held
back
Instead , he handed her a small box . “ Agit for Lily . And this one’s for Asia .
Derek eyed him . “ What about me ? ”
Caleb tossed him a bag . “ Sneakers . ”
“ Thanks , Calab
planning on staying with me ? ” Caleb asked , having heard about Derek’s fallout from Glona
Derek shook his head . “ Til stick with Aris ”
Aria finished texting Owen and turned to Caleb . “ Have you eaten ? ”
“ Not yet
Just then , Owen replied . Ania glanced at her phone . “ Owen says to come over for hot pot tonight – he invited all of us . ”
Caleb raised a brow . “ Owen ? ”
Derek explained , “ He lives across the hall . Sis pays for groceries sometimes , and we eat at his place . ”
He lives right across the hall
Caleb had actually considered buying the apartment across from Aria , but if Owen had it ,
He glanced up at the floor above .
that was probably out of reach .
Derek noticed . “ Caleb , the upstairs apartment is taken , I asked about downstairs too – nothing available . There are still a few left in the building , though . If you buy one , we could be neighbors . ”
Caleb shot him a look . “ You got money for that ? ”
Derek hesitated . “ You could lend it to me .
Caleb shrugged , “ Sure . But only if you ask me nicely tonight in front of everyone . ”
Derek scowled , “ Why don’t you ask yourself ? ”
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Imam Caleb gave him a sly grin . “ I’m afraid Aria will think I’m a nuisanci
Derck just rolled his eyes .