BuzzNovelhapter 219
Illeana jerked her head up, just in tto see two housekeepers standing on the balcony above. One held a
basketball, the other a volleyball.
Before she could react, they hurled the balls straight at her. Ileana barely had tto think-she just ran,
stumbling across the courtyard in a panic. No matter where she dodged, the housekeepers seemed uncannily
practiced; every throw found its mark, thudding against her back or shoulders.
Somewhere along the way, the butler had quietly disappeared, leaving lleana’s shrieks echoing through the
misty early morning.
Later, the butler reported in a composed voice, “As you instructed, Miss Tate has received her welcgift.”
Max twirled a pen between his fingers, tugged lightly at his tie, and let a thin smile flicker across his lips-a smile
that never touched his eyes.
“I'm sure she'll absolutely love it,” he replied, voice calm and unreadable. No one could be certain exactly who
he meant by “she.”
Back at the academy, the spring sports meet was in full swing. The class rallied behind their competitors,
cheering loudly, and hardly anyone seemed to notice that Ileana had quietly transferred overnight.
Stella claimed first place in both shot put and the 50-meter dash with ease. With both Alessia and Stella-
undeniably the stars of the team-victory for their class was a foregone conclusion.
For the third year in a row, their class took hthe championship, putting a perfect finishing touch on the final
event of their high school
years
The afternoon events were about to begin, with Alessia’s long-distance race up last. “Is your hand alright?”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtStella asked.
“I put sointment on-it’s almost entirely better,” Alessia replied.
“Mr. Dawson's remedies always work wonders.”
As they chatted, Pierce Quinn appeared, carefully balancing two cups of milkshake. “Stella, Alessia-milkshake!”
Pierce had memorized everyone's favorite flavors and
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13-31
treated the whole class. Naturally, since Ileana was nowhere to be seen, he left out of the count.
“Thanks!” the girls chorused, taking their drinks and sipping contentedly.
On a day like this, nothing beat the sweet chill of grape milkshake and the satisfying chew of tapioca pearls.
Stella leaned back lazily on the steps, eyes half-closed. Her father had gone hafter watching her morning
events, leaving Justin and the Morton brothers sitting. side by side nearby.
“Don’t mention it,” Pierce grinned. “We owe this year’s trophy to you two-you're the real MVPs!”
Stella and Alessia exchanged a look and laughed.
“Alessia, good luck this afternoon-don’t push yourself too hard. I'm off to hand out
the rest of the drinks.”
Alessia smiled, waved him off, and turned back to Stella.
“It's strange,” Stella said, her voice
softer than usual. “This is our last big
event before TEAR Nextyear,
cpp scit r=sgoing
abroad, sto universities all over
the country, staking over family
businesses. Life won't be this simple
anymore.” The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
“It's true,” Alessia agreed. “But at least
for one more semester, the thsee(f
us can (gig ourshabflogeter
Well sti | have tto hang out, just
like always.” The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Alessia didn't add anything
sentimental. Rather than worrying,
about what might|cEnke) she
dE ae every moment
now, making sure she'd have no
regrets. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
“Oh, by the way-your Cole has been shooting you the saddest puppy-dog eyes all morning,” Stella teased,
nudging Alessia with her elbow.
Alessia only grinned, completely unfazed. “I'll go make it up to him after the race.”
Stella rolled her eyes. “Wow, listen to you-go make it up to him!”
She must have made too tic a face, because Alessia burst out laughing and gave her a playful slap on the
arm.
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