Chapter 495:
“The war over that oil field didn’t happen,” Briar said, putting the cigarette away. “Just a staged drill. Nothing serious. We can breathe easy now.” He pulled out a small candy and handed it to Brad. “Milk candy. My daughter sneaks them into my pockets. Tastes pretty good. Try one.”
Brad accepted the candy and unwrapped it. “Why does she like giving you candy?”
Briar smiled at the thought. “Because she loves me.”
Brad turned to him, one brow raised. “Love?”
“Yeah,” Briar said with a proud grin. “She thinks giving me her favorite candy is a way to show it. She’s everything to me.”
Brad suddenly remembered how Rylie used to give him candy, too. A soft smile touched his lips, and a quiet warmth settled in his chest. “Yeah… It really is like that.”
The school buses lined up quickly, ready to move. The inside buzzed with chatter.
“Did you hear? Mr. Morgan is actually coming to our winter camp! He’s in the lead car!”
“Our school does this camp every year before exams. We’ve worked with the military before, but never had someone that important show up!”
“Come on, it’s obvious! He helped Zaylee when she fell off the stage last time at the auditorium. It’s gotta be because of her!”
Their voices carried to the Advanced Honors Class bus. The windows were open, and the top students were all peering out. Rylie turned too, just in time to see Zaylee run up to the lead car, holding a box of treats.
Everyone watched as Zaylee, glowing under their gaze, offered the box to Brad. “Brad, my mom made these early this morning. She wanted me to give you some for the trip.”
It was from Perla — Brad found it hard to reject her kindness. He took the box and said flatly, “Go back now.”
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Zaylee turned and skipped away. To everyone watching, it looked like the two were dating.
Inside the Advanced Honors bus,
“Seriously? Mr. Morgan likes Zaylee? She’s the one who cheats on tests.”
“She’s always been shallow and vain. I don’t get why people still stand by her.”
“Maybe they’re trying to cozy up to the people backing her.”
“So fake.”
The Honors students rolled their eyes. To them, cheating was unforgivable. Zaylee had no place in their world.
Their eyes shifted to Rylie, seated gracefully at the front. Smart, elegant, and composed — if Brad had any sense, he’d know who truly deserved his attention.
She outshone Zaylee in every way.
Meanwhile, in the lead car, Brad rolled the window up and handed the box to Brock in the back. “It’s yours.”
Brock opened it but paused when he saw what was inside. “Admiral Morgan… These are definitely from Zaylee. Bear-shaped cookies… And all these little hearts…”
Suddenly, Brock lost his appetite for the cute bears, feeling awkward at the thought of consuming a young girl’s affections.
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