Chapter 84

Chapter 84

Ella's POV

I rested at home for two days before going back to school.

In the classroom, Hazel and I sat in the back row, chatting quietly.

"You're saying he doesn't have a girlfriend?" Hazel's eyes lit up, full of excitement.

I nodded.

"So has he never had a girlfriend, or is he just single right now?"

I shook my head helplessly, indicating I didn't know.

I really hadn't asked in that much detail.

Hazel's face flushed with excitement. "If he's never had a girlfriend, he might still be a virgin."

The more she thought about it, the more worked up she got, as if she'd discovered some earth-shattering secret.

Hearing Hazel's bold and direct words, I suddenly felt extremely awkward. I had no idea how to respond, so I just kept quiet.

Hazel's excitement quickly faded, and she deflated, muttering, "If he is a virgin, that could be a bit troublesome."

I really didn't understand what she meant. "Why do you say that?"

"What do you think?" Hazel said matter-of-factly. "Having to teach someone bedroom skills from scratch is exhausting."

I fell silent again, truly not knowing how to respond to her bold statements.

Hazel suddenly changed the subject. "By the way, Ella, are you still a virgin?"

My face immediately turned red, and I felt completely thrown off. I really couldn't answer the questions that Hazel threw at me out of nowhere.

I lowered my head and asked softly, "Why are you suddenly asking this?"

Hazel means no harm - she just calls it like she sees it and doesn't beat around the bush.

"Take my ex-boyfriend, for example. He was a virgin when we got together. Our first time having sex was absolutely terrible - he had no clue what he was doing in bed. We had no choice but to watch porn and figure things out as we went along."

Just then, my phone on the desk started vibrating.

When I saw the number on the screen, my heart skipped a beat. I quickly ducked my head under the desk and carefully answered the call.

"I'm waiting at your school gate. Come over when you get out at noon - I'll take you to lunch." James's deep voice came through the phone.

After school let out at noon, I went to the school gate.

A black SUV was parked there. The driver's window was open, and James was wearing a black shirt, his arm casually resting on the window frame, sleeves rolled up halfway, revealing his strong forearms.

In all the time I'd known James, this was the first time I'd seen him drive himself.

I looked around to make sure no one I knew was nearby before carefully walking over to the car.

I nodded and was about to open the back door.

"Ella," James stopped me. "Sit in front."

I had no choice but to open the passenger door and climb in.

James slowly rolled up the window and asked me, "What do you want to eat?"

Without thinking, I said casually, "Whatever, I'm fine with anything."

James smiled lightly, as if seeing right through me. "Are you sure? You're pretty picky."

I still stubbornly nodded.

James started the car and drove me to a Lumaria-style restaurant.

"Skip your afternoon classes. Call the school and take leave." James said while cutting his steak.

I had just taken a sip of soup. Hearing this, I looked up, full of confusion. "Why?"

James glanced at me and said flatly, "Come somewhere with me."

I had an important major class in the afternoon and really didn't want to take leave. "But..."

"Either you call and take leave yourself," James gave me an ultimatum, "or I'll just process your withdrawal from school."

I frowned, feeling helpless, and obediently called to take leave.

I worried silently - if I kept taking leave like this and my attendance rate got too low, I doubted I'd be able to graduate smoothly.

Putting my phone down, I asked unhappily, "Where exactly are you taking me?"

James smiled mysteriously. "You'll know when we get there."

I felt even more puzzled, my frown deepening.

Forty minutes later, James's black SUV drove into an estate I'd never seen before.

This estate was extremely luxurious, no less impressive than James's own estate.

After the car stopped, someone came over to greet us.

Looking through the car window, I saw it was actually a familiar face.

I remembered - this was the person who had come to my studio to threaten me before.

James pushed open the car door and got out. Lucas, wearing a pure black suit, quickly walked over with a smile plastered on his face. "James, I really didn't expect you'd actually come."

James responded casually and looked back at me. "Get out."

"Okay." I obediently got out of the car.

Lucas looked me up and down, his gaze making me uncomfortable all over.

"So you really did steal her away?" Lucas moved closer to James and asked in a low voice.

James glanced at him sideways but didn't answer.

Lucas looked at me and briefly introduced himself. "My name is Lucas."

I pressed my lips together and nodded lightly.

Lucas led us toward the main hall.

As soon as I walked into the main hall, I was stunned by what I saw.

The hall was set up like a funeral, filled with flowers and black drapes.

I scanned my surroundings - there weren't many people attending the funeral, but everyone was dressed in black.

When my gaze swept across one person's profile, I froze again. That person looked like...

Isabella, the woman I'd run into at the airport before, and later watched race cars with James.

The entire funeral was very brief, with very few mourners.

Although I didn't know who had passed away, out of respect for the dead, I still went forward and offered a bouquet of flowers.

After the funeral ended, James disappeared somewhere, so I could only wander around the estate by myself.

Walking along, as I passed by a rose garden, I saw Isabella, and Lucas, whom I'd just met, were standing in front of her.

"My father died suddenly. He left a will giving me all his inheritance. You won't get a penny." Lucas said.

After hearing this, Isabella showed no expression and tried to walk around him to leave.

But Lucas reached out to block her. "Didn't you hear what I just said?"

Isabella remained silent.

Lucas continued, "Isabella, you stayed with my father for three whole years. Now he's dead, and you have nothing. Are you okay with that?"

Isabella stood there, looking at him coldly. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Lucas got straight to the point. "You just want my father's fortune, don't you?"

Isabella looked at him, her face showing no change in expression, quietly waiting for him to continue.

After hesitating for about ten seconds, Lucas said, "Seduce me, and I can give you all the assets."

Isabella sighed helplessly. "Lucas, watch your words. I'm your stepmother."

Lucas let out a dismissive snort. "You and my father aren't even married. What kind of stepmother does that make you?"

Isabella turned to leave, but was grabbed from behind by Lucas.

Isabella struggled. "Lucas, today is your father's funeral. Don't lose it."

Not only did Lucas not let go, but he also held her even tighter. "My father is dead. Now everyone in the Scott family has to listen to me."