Chapter 535 - 531: How About You Touch It?

Seraphina had just gotten out of the car when Owen Griffin called out to her from behind. She turned to look at him, confused.

A roguish grin spread across Owen’s lips as he said smugly, "Shouldn’t you be praising me?"

Seraphina frowned at his words and retorted, "Praise you for what?"

"I used to just force my gifts on you, but this time I didn’t pressure you at all. You could say that’s a kind of progress, right?"

Hearing this, Seraphina couldn’t help but laugh. "That’s just basic respect between people," she countered. "Forcing things on others was wrong in the first place."

"So now that I’ve learned to respect you, how is that not progress?"

Seraphina: "..."

Seeing her speechless expression, the smile on Owen’s face widened. "I’m just kidding with you," he said quickly. "I just wanted you to praise me, that’s all. I know I have a lot of flaws you don’t like. I’ll do my best to change them from now on."

She had long sensed his arrogant and self-centered nature, but his sudden seriousness now caught her off guard.

After a moment, she gave a slight nod, her tone softening unconsciously. "I’m heading back to the university then."

"Bye."

After Seraphina left, Owen leaned back slightly in his seat and suddenly let out a soft scoff.

A second later, his phone buzzed. He picked it up and saw it was a message from Victor Tucker.

"New intel. Want it?"

Owen raised an eyebrow at the message, a cold smirk playing on his lips as he typed back, "What intel?"

"I think it’s crucial intel. I’m raising the price this time."

"Dumbass, trying to play me now?" Owen spat, then replied, "I don’t care what you think, I’ll be the judge. Let’s hear it. If it’s useful, I naturally won’t treat you unfairly."

On the other end of the line, Victor Tucker was hiding in a bathroom stall, hesitating as he looked at Owen’s message.

But remembering that Owen had kept his word the last few times, he ultimately chose to trust him. After all, a rich kid like him wasn’t short on cash.

So, he told Owen that Seraphina’s birthday was at the end of the month and that Ethan Sterling was planning to surprise her and confess his feelings beforehand.

’Birthday?’

Owen blinked unconsciously when he saw this piece of intel. He genuinely hadn’t known Seraphina’s birthday was this month.

’The most important thing is Ethan Sterling’s move. A surprise and a confession beforehand?’

’Heh, interesting.’

’Looks like your little plan is about to go up in smoke.’

"This is indeed useful news. Name your price."

Victor nervously typed "ten dollars" into the input box, hesitated, then deleted it. After a long struggle, his fingers trembling, he typed "fifteen."

Even Owen was shocked when he saw the number. He cursed as he replied, "Fuck, do you really take me for a sucker?"

But Victor had his retort ready. "The camera you gave me the first time was about this price, wasn’t it? I think this information is more valuable than that was."

Owen gritted his teeth and typed furiously, "The first time was to buy your loyalty, get it? How could I make you fall in line without putting down some serious cash? And now you dare to jack up the price on the spot? You’re just a despicable little man consumed by greed. I’m rich, not stupid. You get five dollars for this info, not a cent more!"

Owen really wasn’t an idiot. How could someone who got into Lorcain U be a fool?

How could Victor be satisfied staring at the words "five dollars"? Since the outcome of Ethan and Seraphina’s situation would likely be decided soon, this might be his last chance to sell information to Owen. He had to make a big score.

Besides, he needed the money. He had a use for it.

"Ten dollars. If you don’t agree, I’ll..."

He didn’t finish the sentence, but it was clearly a threat aimed at Owen.

Owen’s eyes widened, his scalp tingling with anger.

Of course, he wasn’t short the extra five dollars, but being manipulated by a petty snake like Victor felt disgusting.

Just then, a traffic cop suddenly appeared next to his car. "Hello, this is a five-minute parking zone. You’ve overstayed the limit. License, please."

Owen slowly looked up and sighed in frustration.

Victor waited for a long time without a reply and started to think he had really pissed Owen off with his exorbitant demand. He was hesitating, thinking he should just settle for five dollars. If Owen got truly angry and gave him nothing, he wouldn’t dare to actually cross him.

Just as he was about to back down, a message from Owen arrived, the text practically radiating fury: "Dammit. Sent it to your Venmo."

Excited, Victor quickly opened his Venmo and saw a deposit of "9.9500" dollars.

’Nine dollars and ninety-five cents?’

’Why is it short five cents?’

He took a screenshot and sent it to Owen, confused. "Did they deduct a fee?"

"A cop busted me while I was messaging you back. Got a five-cent fine!"

Victor: "..."

*

After Cecilia Sterling and Wyatt Sherman finished eating at the restaurant, Wyatt glanced at the time. Ignoring his mother’s warning to come home right after the meal, he looked up at Cecilia and asked, "Cecilia, what do you want to do later?"

’He finally got a date alone with Cecilia; how could one meal possibly be enough?’

Cecilia wiped her mouth and said, "I want to check out a baby supply store. I need to buy some things for my sister-in-law and my little niece."

"Okay, I’ll go with you."

Cecilia didn’t refuse. She had asked Wyatt out today to give them a chance to spend time alone together. Although Mrs. Sherman’s sudden appearance had been a minor incident, it hadn’t changed her impression of Wyatt.

In the mall, they walked side by side. The arm Wyatt had closer to Cecilia would occasionally lift slightly, as if by accident, but he never quite dared to touch her hand.

Cecilia caught this out of the corner of her eye and couldn’t help but smile. The next time Wyatt lifted his arm, she took the initiative and grabbed his hand.

As she held it, she discovered his palm was covered in sweat.

Wyatt froze completely. He stopped in his tracks, staring down at their clasped hands as his shocked expression slowly morphed into one of ecstatic joy. "Cecilia..."

Cecilia looked straight at him and said, "Do you remember when you first approached me and shamelessly asked for my WhatsApp?"

Wyatt nodded.

"So why are you so timid now? You don’t even dare to hold my hand?"

Wyatt looked embarrassed. "It’s because I realized the more I like you, the more careful I become about what I say and do around you. I’m afraid I’ll make you uncomfortable or leave a bad impression."

Cecilia sighed softly and said to him earnestly, "The fact that I’m willing to go on a date with you alone, and even ask you out myself, means I’m interested in you. I don’t waste my time on people I have no feelings for."

"Really?" Wyatt’s eyes lit up, a broad smile spreading across his handsome face. "You’re interested in me?"

"Isn’t that obvious?" Cecilia rolled her eyes, speechless. Then her brow furrowed. "Why are your hands so sweaty? Don’t tell me you’re that out of shape."

"I was just nervous about holding your hand! How could I be out of shape? I’m only twenty-two!" Wyatt said hurriedly. "I can get a reaction right now, want to feel?"

Cecilia glared at him, and Wyatt immediately behaved. "I was just kidding."