Chapter 110: Chapter 110: Sense of Crisis
He was talking about Ariana Grant’s parents’ lawsuit over the ownership of the house.
Ashley Shaw wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but the words got stuck in her throat.
Since Warren Prescott had already said this, it indicated that he had already had a word with them. Saying it wasn’t necessary now would be redundant.
So she paused for a moment and simply said, "Thank you."
"There’s no need for such formality between us."
Ashley Shaw looked up at Warren Prescott.
Suddenly, she was reminded of her past life, when Ariana Grant passed away, and she broke down in front of Warren Prescott.
A simple word or glance from him could have comforted her a little, but what did he say?
He said, "It doesn’t seem like our relationship is close enough for me to comfort you, does it?"
But now he was saying, there’s no need for such formality between us.
It was clearly the same person, yet it gave her a strong sense of disconnection.
In the sunlight, his shadow stretched at an angle, making him look even more handsome than usual.
But Ashley Shaw quickly looked away.
She was a stubborn person; once she set her heart on a path, she wouldn’t turn back.
In her past life, she had set her heart on him, waiting for him despite all the grievances she suffered.
In this life, she was determined not to get too involved with him, and she wouldn’t change her mind.
"Thank you," she repeated.
Responding with gratitude to his "there’s no need for such formality between us."
Warren Prescott’s expression stiffened for a moment, a bitter feeling rising in his throat.
"Do you really have to draw such a clear line?"
"What else?" Ashley Shaw asked with a slight smile.
Warren Prescott opened his mouth, but his imposing demeanor subsided, like a chill descending in winter.
The surrounding temperature seemed to drop by several degrees.
But in the end, he said nothing.
What he owed her, he would slowly repay.
After all, there was plenty of time, no need to rush.
In the future at Aethelgard University, he would have plenty of time.
Soon the ceremony began.
Class after class lined up and headed to the field.
Normally, everyone wore the same uniform; now the array of colors made for a unique view.
The principal stepped onto the podium on the athletic field, speaking with both reluctance and excitement as he delivered his speech.
During the usual gatherings, the field would become noisy within two minutes, but today it maintained a disciplined silence.
Everyone understood this was their last meeting at this school.
Afterward, this high school would no longer be called a school, but rather an alma mater.
However, a few people’s eyes wandered and soon noticed Warren Prescott and Ashley Shaw standing at the front row.
The tall, handsome boy with striking features stood beside the girl with bright eyes and a charming smile, her simple white dress making her the most beautiful sight.
Initially, many people didn’t recognize who she was. Upon realizing it was Warren Prescott’s "foster sister" Ashley Shaw, they widened their eyes in surprise.
"Did she get plastic surgery?"
"Her face looks untouched, just a change in hairstyle and losing the glasses."
"I also feel she hasn’t had any surgery, but she looks... different somehow."
"Man, if I’d known she was this pretty, I would have pursued her during school."
"Would you dare? It’s clear to everyone that Warren doesn’t like her, chasing a girl Warren dislikes is like asking for trouble."
"But... did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"Kane King, you know, the guy from class five, said something unpleasant about Ashley Shaw two weeks ago and was beaten up by Warren so badly that he’s still in the hospital!"
"Is that for real..."
"It’s all over the place, could it be fake?"
"What’s going on exactly?"
"Who knows..."
"Come on, we’re all men here, isn’t it obvious? Ashley Shaw used to be a plain Jane, and now she’s turned into a swan. Who would still treat her like before? Frankly, she could walk over and slap me, and I’d just smile and ask for another."
"Oh, please!"
The boys chuckled amongst themselves.
The field, which had been quiet for less than twenty minutes, finally filled with the usual whispers.
Yet the teachers didn’t intervene like they usually did.
"Let them be, it’s their last time anyway."
"Hahaha, they’ve already managed twenty minutes today; that’s impressive."
The students started chatting, and the teachers couldn’t help but join in either.
One by one, they came over to Warren Prescott and Ashley Shaw, taking out their phones to get a photo together.
Cillian Xavier, being on the podium, managed to escape.
Luckily, Ashley Shaw, after Claire Xavier’s rigorous training, could now face the camera with a natural smile.
"So beautiful!" a female teacher said with a smile, "Ashley, it’s such a waste for you to become a doctor. In my opinion, you should become a star."
Ashley Shaw felt a bit nervous.
How had her decision to study medicine traveled so far?
This female teacher hadn’t taught her before.
What about her choice of school...
Luckily, the female teacher didn’t say anything more and returned to the teachers’ ranks.
Ashley Shaw let out a sigh of relief.
When she turned her head, she saw Warren Prescott looking at her from the side.
"Wh-what are you doing..." she suddenly felt uneasy.
"Nothing."
Warren Prescott turned his gaze away expressionlessly.
In his heart, however, he was responding to what that female teacher had said: indeed beautiful.
About another twenty minutes passed, and the principal finally concluded his speech.
When Warren Prescott thought it was finally their turn to go up, the principal asked Cillian Xavier to speak on stage.
This was the second segment.
Warren Prescott was running out of patience.
But among breaths, he faintly caught a fragrance wafting over from Ashley Shaw.
It was the scent of her shampoo.
He had used this brand as well.
Back when he used it, he hadn’t thought much of the scent, or rather, he didn’t pay attention to scents at all. But now he found this fragrance delightful.
Jasmine accompanied by a hint of camellia, it was a refreshing aroma.
The patience he had lost was replenished the moment the scent reached him.
Cillian Xavier’s speech was neither too long nor too short, lasting about ten minutes before it ended.
At the end, he deliberately looked in Warren Prescott and Ashley Shaw’s direction.
Ashley Shaw was looking down, staring at her toes, lost in thought.
And Warren Prescott, expressionless, yet showed no sign of impatience.
Warren Prescott being able to wait until now without leaving was something Cillian Xavier hadn’t anticipated.
Although Warren Prescott had said before the event that he could wait, Cillian Xavier hadn’t believed it until now seeing Warren still standing there.
Cillian Xavier felt an inexplicable sense of crisis.
Warren... could he truly be... developing feelings for Ashley Shaw?
He’s not afraid of feelings developing; he’s afraid of how long Warren Prescott’s feelings might last, and how serious they are.
His throat bobbed slightly as he descended the stage with complex emotions, standing next to Ashley Shaw.
The girls, seeing Ashley Shaw with Warren Prescott on one side and Cillian Xavier on the other, joked, "Knowing this, I should’ve aimed for second place in the school too."
"Second in the school means being in the top twenty in the province."
"Thanks for the reminder, my body’s warm."
Finally, after the principal announced the excellent results of this session’s college entrance exams, it was Ashley Shaw and her group’s turn to go on stage.
It was right then that the unexpected happened.