Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Cameron simply said, “I’m not going back to Noble Vista.”
Elijah narrowed his eyes, then nodded, deciding he wouldn’t go back to Noble Vista either-after all, without Cameron, it was colder and lonelier than his own icy home.
Cameron said, “Call me if you need anything.”
Elijah replied, “Okay.”
After school, Cameron went straight to the underground parking lot without returning to her dorm. Bradley was waiting for her there.
On the way, Cameron received a message from Austin. Austin: [Cameron, why haven’t you come back yet? Elijah’s already home. Where are you?]
Cameron: [I went home. Are you waiting for me?]
Austin: [Alright then.]
Cameron: [Is anything something wrong?]
Austin: [No.]
Cameron put down her phone.
Wearing his gold-rimmed glasses and watching the road, Bradley asked casually, “Was that Elijah or Austin?”
Cameron said, “Austin.”
Bradley said, “Ever since you joined Room 316, Austin’s ‘illness’ seems completely cured. He hasn’t missed a single class.”
Cameron fell silent, unsure if Bradley was complimenting her.
She knew all of Austin’s secrets and would never tell anyone.
Cameron just said, “Maybe it’s because the SAT is coming, and he doesn’t want to miss classes.”
Bradley tapped the steering wheel with his fingers and didn’t respond further
When Austin left school, he saw a silver gray Bentley parked at the gate.
Vincent stood beside the car in a suit. Seeing Austin, he bowed respectfully. Mr. Austin Fraser”
Austin nodded slightly, tossed his backpack to Vincent, and got into the back seat.
Vincent got into the driver’s seat and handed Austin a black, exquisitely wrapped gift box. “Happy birthday
Austin took the gift expressionlessly and said, “Thanks.”
He opened the box to find a Patek Philippe men’s watch worth over a million US dollars.
Austin glanced coldly at the watch and threw it onto the back seat.
Vincent was probably the only person in the world who remembered today was his birthday. After today, Austin would be an adult.
As Vincent watched Austin through the rearview mirror, he asked worriedly, “You seem in a bad mood?”
Looking out the window, Austin smiled bitterly. “When have I ever been in a good mood?”
At this moment, Austin carried a hint of melancholy, completely different from his docile demeanor in front of Cameron. This was his true self.
Vincent said, “The Fraser family has likely forgotten your birthday-they prepared nothing. If you don’t want to go back, we can skip it today.”
Vincent’s words came as no surprise to Austin.
Of course, those people wouldn’t throw him a birthday party-they probably didn’t even remember what day it was.
Besides his mother and Vincent, no one would celebrate Austin’s birthday.
Vincent had spent every birthday with him, and this year would be no different.
Though everything was expected, Austin still felt as if a boulder weighed on his chest.
Staring at the scenery retreating outside the car window, Austin said slowly, “Go back to Fraser Villa.”
Although he’d never celebrated his birthday, this was his eighteenth.
Austin had planned to have dinner with Cameron tonight, even just a slice of cake, but since she’d already left, he had to abandon the idea of inviting her.
Vincent glanced at Austin worriedly through the rearview mirror again. In the end, he said nothing-all words of comfort felt hollow.
The Bentley drove into the luxurious Fraser Villa, and Austin got out.
The villa was unchanged. Austin went straight to his private cottage, and in the evening, he went to the main house for dinner as usual.
The dining table was laden with delicacies, none of which were prepared specially for Austin. This was just the Frasers’ normal dinner standard.
“Good evening,” Austin greeted his so-called family, then quietly took his seat.
Margot, wearing bold makeup, smiled brightly at him. “Aus, you haven’t been back all week. What would you like to eat?”
Austin studied her fake smile.
In his years with the Frasers, this woman had tried countless times to kill him, yet still managed to grin at him so warmly. Margot was truly terrifying.
Austin smiled back. “Thank you, Aunt Margot. Everything on the table is my favorite.”
Edmund looked at Austin and asked, “How’s your schoolwork?”
Austin said, “It’s fine.”
Edmund immediately frowned. “What do you mean ‘fine’? Remember, you represent the Fraser family. If you embarrass us, you’ll pay the price.”
Jeremy added, “Don’t disgrace me.”
Margot chimed in, “Aus has always been so well-behaved-he’ll do well on the exams.”
Austin gave a mocking smile. To the Frasers, nothing mattered more than reputation; otherwise, Jeremy wouldn’t have torn Austin from his mother.
The game was finally about to begin. Austin hoped they were prepared to pay for their actions.
Despite his turbulent thoughts, Austin remained calm. “Don’t worry, I’ll do my best.”
Margot said, “Aus, you are such a good boy.”
Austin smiled faintly.
Margot continued, “Aus, you’re so talented at piano-applying to a music conservatory would be a great choice. Being an artist suits you.”
Austin said, “1ll follow your mangements
Margot beamed instantly.
Edmund interjected, “What’s so great about being an entertainer?”
One reason Margot wanted Austin dead was that Edmund seemed to want Austin and Samuel to compete fairly for the family fortune. In h?r eyes Arling as a bastard, didn’t deserve to compete with her son-he didn’t even deserve to be Samuel’s servant.
Just then, Austin coughed at the right moment.
Austin’s cough instantly improved Margot’s mood.
She’d nearly forgotten Austin had less than a year to live, so there was no need to ruin her mood over someone who’d be dead soon.
Margot asked with a concerned look, “Aus, how’s your health lately?”
Austin said, “Thanks for your concern. I’m okay. By the way, is Samuel on a business dinner tonight?”
At the mention of Samuel, everyone’s expression soured.
Samuel had suffered numerous setbacks because of Cameron, yet his pride kept him from letting Jeremy intervene, vowing to retaliate against Cameron after he healed.
Margot said, “Don’t worry about him. He’s busy.”
For the sake of her self-esteem, Margot naturally wouldn’t tell Austin about Samuel’s humiliating losses.
Austin lowered his eyes, a faint, enigmatic smile on his lips.
As he expected, no one remembered it was Austin’s birthday by the end of dinner.
Margot was highly emotional intelligence, so she likely hadn’t truly forgotten-she’d just pretended to.
Austin returned to his villa. Sitting in the empty living room, he stared blankly at the crystal chandelier. After a long while, he hesitated but finally sent Cameron a text.
