Chapter 270

Chapter 270

After class, Lucinda stepped out of the administrative building, bag slung over one shoulder. Harsh sunlight hit her full in the face.

She squinted, lifting a hand to shield her eyes.

At the campus gate, a Maybach sat parked and waiting.

Reginald stood in the shadow of the portico, tall and immaculate, one hand casually in his pocket. Just standing there, he commanded space—untouchable, unmistakable.

The bell echoed through the corridors. Students trickled out in clusters.

A girl approached him, clearly summoning her courage. Her voice was soft. "Excuse me, sir. Are you waiting for someone? Would you like me to show you around?"

Reginald's gaze moved past her shoulder, landing on a figure in dark green at the turn of the staircase.

He didn't turn his head. His tone was flat. "No need."

The girl followed his line of sight and saw Lucinda coming down the stairs, laptop in her arms.

She stepped back, reading the room.

Lucinda had just reached the bottom step when three male students blocked her path.

The tallest one wore an institute student badge pinned to his chest. His tone was confident. "You're new, right? I'm your senior. I was sitting behind you in class earlier. That problem—did you use fractal iteration in your derivation?"

His eyes were bright. "My advisor's been looking for someone to collaborate on research in that direction. Could I get your contact info?"

Before he finished, a hand reached from behind and closed around Lucinda's wrist.

Reginald stood beside her. "She has a boyfriend."

The guys froze. Their eyes lingered on Reginald's face for two seconds before the quiet pressure radiating off him forced them back half a step. They opened their mouths but said nothing.

Reginald didn't give them time to recover. He pulled Lucinda straight to the car.

The door shut with a heavy thud.

Lucinda had barely settled into the passenger seat when the man beside her leaned over, face stormy.

"Cindy." Reginald's voice dropped low, almost petulant. "You never reach out to me first. I waited all morning. If I hadn't come, you'd probably be off having lunch with those guys, wouldn't you?"

Lucinda looked at him, amused. "That was academic discussion."

"Don't care." Reginald bent his head, nuzzling the curve of her neck with the bridge of his nose, voice muffled. "You're not allowed to look at them. Cindy, I bought into the institute."

Lucinda blinked. "What?"

"I threw a billion at the research institute. I'm the majority shareholder now." He lifted his head, eyes gleaming. "From now on, I'm coming here every day to sit in on your classes. Let's see who dares covet my fiancée."

Lucinda rubbed her forehead helplessly. "Reginald, stop being ridiculous."

"I'm not being ridiculous. I'm serious." He squeezed her fingertips, eyes full of hope. "Cindy, I'm hungry. Will you eat with me? Just the institute cafeteria is fine."

Lucinda couldn't argue with him. She nodded in compromise. "Fine. Let's go."

The institute cafeteria wasn't crowded at this hour.

Lucinda found a quiet corner by the window and sat down.

Reginald brought over two trays, everything arranged neatly in front of her—all her favorites.

"Cindy, try this." He speared a piece of short rib and held it to her lips, eyes bright.

Lucinda gently moved his hand aside and took the fork herself. "I can do it."

Reginald looked a little wounded, his handsome brow clouding over. "Cindy, you're always so distant with me. Do you... not really like me that much?"

He took a deep breath. There was a tremor in his voice he didn't seem to notice.

Lucinda looked at him.

This man should have been untouchable—a god standing at the summit.

But for her, he was willing to lay down all his pride and bare the softest parts of himself without reservation.

Something in her chest caved in. Aching. Tender.

A mischievous glint flickered in her eyes. She teased him deliberately. "You're right. Maybe I'm a little short."

Reginald went rigid.

The color drained from his face in an instant. His lips pressed into a thin line. His fingers clenched tight.

"Cindy..."

Lucinda let out a soft sigh.

He really had her beat.

Suddenly, she reached out, grabbed his tie, and pulled him forward.

Reginald stumbled, caught off guard.

The next second, a warm kiss landed on his lips without warning.

He froze like he'd been struck by lightning.

Lucinda pulled back quickly.

She looked at his flushed face, her voice softer than it had ever been. "Idiot."

She met his eyes, each word clear and deliberate. "Reginald, I like you. A lot."

Reginald felt like fireworks had just detonated inside his skull.

This was the first time—after all this time waiting—that she'd said it out loud.

"Cindy..."

Joy crashed over him like a tidal wave.

His eyes reddened. His hand shot up to cup the back of her head, and he leaned in, deepening the kiss completely.

In that moment, their hearts pressed close. The heat between them burned.

Late that night, the moon hung bright and clear.

Reginald drove Lucinda back to the institute dormitory and parked beneath her building.

He turned off the engine.

He held her hand and refused to let go, his tall frame leaning into her, nuzzling affectionately at the curve of her neck. "Cindy, I don't want to leave tonight."

"Go home." Lucinda patted the back of his head, laughing softly. "I have an early class tomorrow."

After much clinging and coaxing, Lucinda finally managed to get out of the car and head upstairs.

Reginald stood beside the car, watching the light flick on in her window. The warmth in his eyes was thick enough to drown in.

He was about to get back in the car when a figure stepped out from the shadows beneath the trees.

Milton.

"Milton?" Reginald raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting slightly. "Looking for me?"

"I want to ask you something." Milton looked him in the eye, each word deliberate. "Who is it you actually like?"

Reginald's brow furrowed slightly.

"Everyone's saying the Lancaster family is planning to marry Dahlia. She was the one with the engagement to you in the first place." Milton took a deep breath, his expression serious. "Dahlia really likes you. She dreams of becoming your wife. Our family has cared for her for twenty years."

He stared steadily at Reginald, his gaze carrying the protectiveness of an older brother. "But if Cindy likes you too, I need you to promise me—absolutely do not hurt Cindy."

Reginald didn't hesitate for a second.

"I've never had the slightest romantic interest in Dahlia. The engagement was arranged by our elders. I never agreed to it. I never acknowledged it."

He paused. "The person I chose is Cindy. It will only ever be Cindy."