Chapter 385

Shane Evlanch's face darkened instantly. "What are you photographing? I'll call the police!"

Hannah Flores waved her phone. "Filming in public isn't illegal. I'm a law-abiding citizen."

Shane turned livid with rage.

Audrey Escent frowned impatiently. "Shane, what's wrong with you?"

"What?"

"We're splitting the bill equally for this meal. Stop pretending to be generous. Finish up and let's get back to campus!"

Shane shot Evelyn Langley's group a resentful glare before storming off.

Zachary Omelas remained rooted in place. Dutch treat...

"I just remembered something urgent. I have to go!"

He sprinted away before anyone could respond.

Shane sneered. "Cheapskate! Probably couldn't stomach paying his share."

Audrey shrugged. "Forget about him."

Outside the restaurant, Evelyn's ride arrived.

Hannah and Liam Kalmien climbed in first.

As Evelyn reached for the passenger door, she glimpsed a familiar figure in her periphery.

After a brief hesitation, she approached. "Zachary?"

A tall male student emerged from the shadows, scratching his head awkwardly. "Y-yeah."

"We're heading back to campus. Want to join us?"

"Really?" Zachary's eyes brightened before dimming with uncertainty.

The restaurant was too far from school—their initial ride had cost over twenty dollars.

He'd planned to take the bus, but the last one had already departed.

No drivers were accepting his carpool request on the ride-sharing app. Just as he considered canceling, Evelyn appeared.

"It's on our way."

"Thank you so much!"

Zachary's height forced Evelyn to offer him the front seat.

The driver eyed him. "Son, with your build, my car feels cramped."

Zachary flashed an embarrassed grin, revealing a row of white teeth.

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the university gates.

After exiting, Zachary noticed the others hadn't moved. "We're here. Aren't you getting out?"

Evelyn shook her head. "We live off-campus."

"Oh..." He rubbed his neck. "Thanks again for today."

Suddenly, he pulled something from his pocket, shoved it through the window, and bolted.

Evelyn looked down.

A twenty-dollar bill.

Cash transactions had become rare these days.

Liam glanced at it. "Painfully earnest."

The total fare was twenty-five—just over six dollars per person.

Because they weren't campus residents, Zachary had insisted on paying twenty.

Hannah sighed. "Too bad he chose the wrong advisor. Why pick Beatrice Merouin?"

Liam shrugged. "Victor Dimucci's his hometown friend. Naturally, he'd choose Beatrice."

"How do you know that?"

"Victor came looking for him during orientation."

"I see..."

Someone as guileless as Zachary was truly uncommon nowadays.

......

At the alleyway, Evelyn exited the car.

The moon cast a cold glow over sparse stars.

Summer night air carried oppressive heat.

Her steps faltered abruptly.

Beneath the apartment's entryway, a man leaned lazily against a tree. The moment he spotted her, his posture snapped upright.