Chapter 530
Miles gave a small nod. “Didn’t expect this dump to have so many people.” 4 Celeste recognized his voice instantly, though she didn’t bother to look up. Lottie and Matthias hadn’t caught the voice, but the moment they heard someone call out “Mr. Quinton”, they both had the same thought. And sure enough-when they turned, it really was Miles.
2 Lottie nudged Celeste with her elbow, whispering in her ear, “It’s, Miles.” Before Celeste could respond, Lottie couldn’t help but add in a half-joking, half-gossipy tone, “Since he’s here, do you think Trevor and that witch might show up too?” « Celeste honestly didn’t care whether they came or not. At that moment, Miles also spotted them, his gaze landing briefly on Matthias. He knew both Caleb and Kieran. Kieran worked at YodaVision, that much he remembered. As for Caleb… Watching him chat casually with Matthias while —- helping Celeste pitch a tent left him a little surprised.
When had Caleb gotten so close with Matthias? 2 Caleb had noticed him too. They weren’t exactly familiar, but they were in the same circles. Since they’d crossed paths, a greeting was the polite thing to do. “Mr. Quinton.” Caleb gave a nod. “Mr. Jennings.” Miles nodded back. “On holiday?” “Mm.” After a few polite exchanges, Miles also greeted Matthias. “Mr. Yoder.” Matthias’s reply was lukewarm. “Mr. Quinton, what a coincidence.” “It is.” Even as he spoke, Miles’s eyes flicked toward Celeste. 2 She pretended not to notice, busying herself with the bag of tent parts, handing a few to Matthias.
He took them and glanced around before muttering low, “Looks like Trevor and his lot didn’t come?” “I don’t know,” Celeste said. Matthias frowned. “If Miles’s here, it doesn’t make sense for them not to be. Maybe they’re just late.” —- Caleb and Kieran hadn’t heard the exchange, but they could sense that Matthias wasn’t exactly warm toward Miles. + Neither of them was close to him, either. Caleb spoke up first. ” Mr. Quinton, we’ve still got things to do. Let’s catch up later.” Miles wasn’t there to linger anyway. He nodded. “Go ahead.” + Then he turned and walked off.
After putting some distance between them, he looked back-catching Caleb and Kieran both leaning in close to Celeste, striking up easy conversation. He assumed they were just good friends. After all, Matthias was right there. He looked away, pulled out his phone, and opened the group chat, tagging Trevor and Beck. 6 “Guess who I just ran into?” 5 Silence. Miles sighed inwardly, then gave up waiting. “Matthias and Celeste. They’re out here camping too.” 1 This time, a reply came. Trevor just replied, “Okay.” 1 Beck, however, stayed quiet.
—- Miles couldn’t help himself: “Not gonna lie, their relationship looks pretty solid.” Again, it was Trevor who answered, short as ever. “Okay.” 3 With no one biting, Miles curled his lip and tagged Beck again. ” Where are you?” 1 Finally, a response from Beck. ‘What do you want?” Miles quickly typed. “Seriously, when’s the last time you even showed up here? You’ve been busy at every gathering. Might as. well just quit the group.”