Chapter 269: A Strange Atmosphere

The students around them stared in surprise.

Weren’t the upperclassman and upperclasswoman a couple? There was an indescribably subtle tension to their dynamic.

Rachel Royce turned to a female student beside her and said, "Excuse me, could you hold this for him? My hands are a bit full with these clothes." The student froze for a moment. As she looked up at the tall, handsome man before her, a blush crept up her earlobes.

Tristan Sterling’s gaze shifted from Rachel Royce to the student. "Thank you," he said, his voice impeccably gentlemanly. The student’s heart fluttered as she quickly reached out to take the items. "You’re welcome," she managed. Tristan then took the watch from his wrist and handed it to Rachel Royce, his handsome face gentle as he gazed at her.

Rachel Royce met his gaze for a moment before taking the watch.

A small smile played on Tristan Sterling’s lips. He turned and walked onto the court. "Offense or defense?" he asked Thomas Sterling. "Doesn’t matter to me," Thomas replied. Ultimately, Thomas chose to play offense.

Several games later.

The two were tied.

They were perfectly matched, equally skilled in both offense and defense.

Rachel Royce watched the game, her nerves pulled taut. Naturally, she was hoping Thomas Sterling would beat Tristan Sterling.

BUZZ! BUZZ! BUZZ!

The buzzing of a phone came from her purse, pulling Rachel Royce from her thoughts. She took out her phone and looked at the caller ID.

She turned, wove through the crowd of students, and found a quiet spot to answer the call.

"Hello, Professor." It was Julian Jennings. He started by asking her about some work-related data.

Once they were done with that,

Julian Jennings asked, "So, how does it feel to be back for the school’s anniversary?" Rachel Royce said, "It’s nice. I haven’t been back in years. It really makes me feel like being a student was the most carefree time of my life." Julian Jennings laughed. "What, are you saying I’m working you too hard?" Rachel chuckled softly. "I would never dare suggest such a thing. It’s impossible to find another great boss like you, President Jennings." "With flattery like that, you might need to take some lessons from Ian Quinn." "My sincerity is so palpable, yet you can’t even sense it, President Jennings?" "I’m afraid I can’t, no." Rachel Royce sighed in mock exasperation. "As a leader, President Jennings, you really shouldn’t be so blunt. You’ll break your employees’ hearts." Julian Jennings laughed aloud. "Alright, point taken. I’ll try to be more tactful next time." "..." The two of them continued to chat idly.

After she hung up,

"Rachel." Thomas Sterling’s voice called out.

Rachel Royce looked up and walked over. "Is it over? Who won?" Thomas Sterling took his clothes from her hands. "A draw," he said. Though Thomas was busy with work, he had always kept up his training. It wouldn’t be easy for Tristan Sterling to beat him, though it was obvious Tristan also played regularly.

Rachel Royce pulled a pack of tissues from her purse, took one out, and handed it to him. "Here, wipe your sweat." Thomas Sterling took it.

Rachel Royce looked up and saw the man striding toward them.

Tristan Sterling, his overcoat draped over his arm, stopped in front of them. Rachel Royce handed his watch back to him.

The man took the watch, fastened it on his wrist, and said to Thomas Sterling, "Let’s have a proper match next time we get the chance." "If you want a rematch, Cousin, I’m ready anytime," Thomas replied. The two school administrators who had been accompanying Tristan Sterling came over to chat for a moment.

After that, Tristan Sterling left with the two administrators.

Rachel Royce and Thomas Sterling left the basketball court as well. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

「That evening.」

The university hosted a banquet for the alumni who had returned for the celebration.

Tristan Sterling was, without a doubt, the center of attention. Although the other alumni present were all accomplished elites in their own right, getting a moment of Tristan Sterling’s time was no easy feat.

Seizing this rare opportunity to see him in person, everyone naturally wanted to approach him to offer compliments and exchange a few words.

To those who approached him, Tristan Sterling was humble and affable, showing none of the aloof, unapproachable coldness one might expect from someone of his stature.

After all, these people were merely passersby. In the grand scheme of the business world, they had no bearing on his interests, nor did they offer him any value. There was no need to act superior.

Rachel Royce and Thomas Sterling found a place to sit, choosing not to mingle. Nevertheless, people inevitably came over to make conversation.

Rachel Royce was also drawing a lot of attention. But seeing her constantly with Thomas Sterling, no one was so tactless as to ask for her contact information; they would, at most, exchange a few pleasantries.

One of Thomas Sterling’s good friends from high school was also there, though they hadn’t been in much contact over the years.

Rachel Royce knew him as well, of course.

The three of them sat together, chatting like old friends catching up after a long time, talking about everything that had happened over the years.

It’s always a pleasure to talk with people who are on the same wavelength.

Tristan Sterling’s eyes found the three of them. He didn’t know what they were discussing, but Rachel Royce was laughing with genuine delight.

Perhaps his gaze was too intense, because Rachel Royce instinctively looked up in his direction.

Their eyes met.

The smile vanished from Rachel Royce’s eyes.

Tristan Sterling offered her a faint, knowing smile.

Without any response, Rachel Royce looked away.

After dinner, they went to watch the school’s cultural performance.

The festivities continued until half-past eight.

At that point, the anniversary celebration officially came to an end.

The university administrators saw the alumni off.

Rachel Royce got into Thomas Sterling’s car.

Having not been home in several days, Rachel Royce decided to pay a visit that night. Johnson Royce and her family didn’t know she was living at Silvermist Bay; they assumed she was staying in her downtown apartment due to her busy work schedule.

But when she walked through the door, she could immediately tell that the atmosphere in the house was off.