Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 475: Chapter 475

As we left, it was nearing noon, and the air carried a hint of drowsy warmth.
I turned to look at Alfie, thinking of inviting him for lunch. It would be a nice little touch to mark our time together.
Just as I was about to speak, his phone rang at an inopportune moment.
His brows furrowed slightly as he glanced at the caller ID, and his expression instantly turned serious.
I said, "You should go handle your business first. I'll take a car back myself."
Alfie hesitated for a moment, his gaze instinctively flicking to the rearview mirror, where a black sedan had been tailing us all along.
He turned back and gave me a teasing smile. "Alright then, there's an urgent matter at the station, so I have to head back. Call me if anything happens. Though, to be honest, having you around makes me feel safer."
I shrugged helplessly at his joke.
Ever since we left Honeydew Estate, the black sedan had been following us closely.
Alfie immediately recognized it as bodyguards sent by Alex to protect me, so he hadn't bothered trying to evade them. Meanwhile, the car maintained just the right distance. It was not too close to be intrusive, yet close enough to provide immediate protection if necessary.
It wasn't until we entered the school that the car finally pulled over by the roadside.
"Take me home," I said as I stepped out of Alfie's car and walked straight to the black sedan.
Liam was dressed in a black suit. He sat in the driver's seat with his face expressionless. Upon hearing my words, he gave a silent nod, his demeanor solemn.
I got into the car and rubbed my temples. The morning's investigation had left me exhausted. Just as I closed my eyes to rest for a moment, my phone suddenly vibrated in my bag.
Pulling it out, I saw an unfamiliar number on the screen.
A hint of doubt crossed my face, my eyes filled with a bit of wariness. After hesitating for a moment, I pressed the answer button.
"Laurel, I heard you're looking for a photographer named Jalen Griffith?" A sweet, soft voice suddenly rang in my ear, catching me off guard. My brows furrowed slightly.
I recalled asking in my old classmates' group chat if anyone knew Jalen.
After all, he had worked as a part-time photographer at the school for quite some time. Though Nifelheim City wasn't large, it wasn't exactly small either. I had only asked out of curiosity, never expecting someone to actually know him.
"Cassidy, you know Jalen?" I asked, a bit surprised.
The woman speaking was my high school classmate, Cassidy Cruz. Her voice was too distinct. Its uniquely syrupy sweetness made it impossible to forget.
"Yeah, if you want to meet him, I can take you to him. But I just woke up and need to get something to eat first," she said lazily from the other end of the call.
"I'll treat you to lunch." I interrupted her without hesitation.
Cassidy let out a soft chuckle, then gave me a hotel address before hanging up.
I immediately instructed the driver to change course toward the hotel.
Upon arriving at the hotel restaurant, I chose a seat by the window and waited for Cassidy.
Not long after, a woman in a form-fitting dress walked into the restaurant, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
She had a voluptuous figure, graceful curves, and a pair of attractive eyes that seemed to gaze at everyone with a hint of allure. Her presence was mesmerizing, exuding a sultry charm.
I recognized her at a glance. She was Cassidy. It had been years since we last met, and she had only grown more stunning.
"Laurel, long time no see." Cassidy walked toward me with graceful steps. Her voice was as enchanting as ever.
Her arrival seemed to shift the atmosphere of the entire restaurant. Many men turned to stare at her, their gazes heated as if they had come here not for a meal but to admire the stunning woman before them.
"Hey, gorgeous, can I get your contact info?" A burly man eagerly approached. His lecherous eyes fixed on Cassidy. He had a flattering smile as he reached out to ask for her number.
Cassidy frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing across her face, but she replied politely, "Sorry, I'm married."
"That's okay. We can still be friends," the man said, unwilling to give up and showing no intention of leaving.
Cassidy shot him a sidelong glance, her expression carrying a trace of disdain. But that single look only seemed to excite the man further, as if he wanted to pounce on her immediately.
After all, her gaze always carried a hint of natural allure, no matter who she was looking at.
Ignoring her initial rejection, the man persisted, "Gorgeous, you can just give me your Instagram."
I frowned in frustration at the persistent pest and said coldly, "Mister, my friend doesn't want to give you her contact information."
The man froze for a moment before finally looking at me. His initially displeased expression quickly turned into a grin as he gave me a once-over and said, "How about you, beautiful? Wanna add me instead?"
I let out a dry chuckle and was just about to reject him again when a hand landed on the man's shoulder.
Interrupted, the man scowled impatiently. "Ever heard of waiting your turn?"
He attempted to shake off the hand but found he couldn't. Turning to see who it was, his expression shifted from irritation to surprise. He mumbled under his breath, "You know what? Go ahead, man."
I couldn't help but chuckle at how fast he changed his attitude. Following his gaze, I saw that the newcomer was none other than Liam.
He stood there with an impassive expression, his eyes carrying a sharp, unapproachable coldness. A natural aura of dominance radiated from him, making people instinctively wary of getting too close.
"Leave," Liam uttered the single word, his voice not loud, yet carrying an undeniable weight of authority.
The man hesitated for a brief moment before finally turning away and leaving, though he let out a disgruntled snort as he walked off.
"Do you want my number?" Cassidy's pretty face flushed slightly with shyness. Despite being almost thirty, her coy expression made her look like a fresh college graduate.
Liam didn't respond to her question. He simply glanced at me indifferently before turning back to his seat.
Cassidy pouted, clearly dissatisfied. "Laurel, being around you always reminds me of my place. No comparison, no disappointment, right?"
I smirked. "I just saved you from trouble. Shouldn't you be thanking me instead?"
"I should, but you wasted six years of your life for nothing. What a shame," she said, furrowing her brows in frustration.
I chuckled lightly and said nonchalantly, "I should be grateful for his mercy in not marrying me back then."
Cassidy nodded, though a flicker of doubt flashed in her eyes. She asked, "Did you really marry Austin's uncle?"