Chapter 49: What Are You Doing Here?

The young man leaned casually against the lamppost, his arms crossed behind his head. The dim, golden light fell softly on his striking features, making his handsome face seem almost surreal. His thick eyebrows were slightly raised, and his thin lips carried a faint, knowing smile.

His deep, dark purple eyes were cold and penetrating, exuding an innate air of authority. Before he spoke, no one had noticed him blending into the night, but once their eyes fell upon him, it was impossible to forget such a presence—especially those inscrutable, dark purple eyes now fixed intently on them.

This was none other than Richard Morris, Anran's recently acquainted classmate.

Seeing the newcomer, Lester's tone carried a hint of surprise. "Richard, what are you doing here?"

Richard straightened up lazily, taking slow, deliberate steps toward them before stopping just a few feet away. The aura he'd been exuding moments ago had faded, and he said calmly, "That's a question I should be asking you, Lester."

Though Richard's gaze was directed at Lester, Anran couldn't shake the feeling that she was the one being watched. For some reason, she was reminded of those awkward scenes in soap operas where the characters were caught in compromising situations. She shifted uncomfortably and whispered, "Lester, please put me down."

Lester, however, seemed to ignore her plea entirely. Instead, he continued his conversation with Richard. "I just got back from England this afternoon. Things at home were a bit dull, so I decided to take a walk."

"Oh? You and my desk mate seem quite familiar," Richard remarked, his eyes flickering briefly toward Anran.

That glance made Anran's heart skip a beat. The realization that she was still on Lester's back made her even more uneasy. Suddenly, the idea of playing the ostrich didn't seem so bad after all.

Lester replied smoothly, "I didn't realize you two were classmates. Anran here suffered a minor injury. As a member of the student council, it's only natural to look out for my peers."

Richard's gaze shifted to Anran's right foot, where her ankle had visibly swollen. The sight of her pale skin seemed to make his dark purple pupils contract sharply, as though he could see the crimson blood flowing beneath.

The intensity of his stare gave Anran the strange sensation that her ankle wasn't just sprained but scorched by flames.

Anran noticed that Richard and Lester shared similar features, with about seventy percent resemblance. Given that they were both from the Morris family, they were likely close relatives.

Yet, at this moment, there was something distinctly off between them. Anran couldn't shake the feeling of tension, as though the two were locked in some unspoken confrontation. Were their relations always this strained?

The subtle but uncomfortable atmosphere pressed on Anran, and she spoke up again, "Lester, my house is just up ahead. Please put me down."

Whether it was her imagination or not, Anran thought she saw a flicker of approval in Richard's eyes. His thin lips curved slightly, and the previously oppressive atmosphere seemed to ease.

Lester didn't insist. He bent down and carefully set Anran on her feet. But the moment her feet touched the ground, Richard abruptly grabbed her wrist and pulled her close to his side.

Caught off guard, Anran stumbled slightly and let out a soft gasp, her body leaning heavily against Richard's.