"I''ve reserved a private room at Maple Hotel. Come on and get in the car," Marion said.


    "Thank you!" Debra said.


    In the afternoon, Juan was headed to a banquet with Joe. As they passed by Arcane Academy, he nced at the students bustling on campus, and Debra''s image involuntarily came to his mind. "Pull over," he said.


    He surprised himself by giving thatmand.


    Joe promptly pulled over and asked, "Sir, do you want to pick up Miss Miles?"


    Juan remained silent.


    Joe asked again, "Should I call Mrs. Nichols?"


    Juan lifted his head, his eyes cold in the rearview mirror. Joe immediately shut his mouth.


    At the school gate, Wendy spotted Juan''s car and nudged Shelia. "Shelia, isn''t that your boyfriend''s car? Is be here to pick you up?"


    From afar, Shelia recognized the license te and blushed at Wendy''s words.


    Carrie teased, "Guess you can''t dine with us today. Next time, you''re treating." "Okay, I''ll catch you guyster," Shelia chirped, hurrying towards Juan''s car.


    It had been a long time since Juan hade to find her.


    Shelia knocked on the rear window. Joe rolled it down, and when Juan saw it was her, a flicker of disappointment crossed his face.


    "Mr. Nichols, what brings you here? To find me?" Shelia asked expectantly.


    "Get in," Juan said curtly.


    Shelia got in, noticing that Juan wasn''t in the best mood. She chalked it up to a bad day for him.


    Juan instructed, "Let''s go."


    "Yes, sir," Joe responded.


    Along the way, Juan remained silent. Shelia was used to it.


    Juan was never good at expressing himself, and showing up without warning like this was a first.


    "Is there a banquet?" She asked.


    Normally, she''d apany him to these events.


    "Yeah."


    "Should I change my clothes?"Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    "No need."


    Juan seemed distracted.


    Shelia didn''t speak further, sensing his reluctance to talk.


    Outside Maple Hotel, Shelia, as usual, linked arms with Juan. Nervously, she asked, "Is my outfit really okay?"


    "You''ve been here so many times. You should be used to it," he said, his cold response leaving Shelia


    silent.


    Their private room was at the far end. Juan was thest to enter. Inside, everyone stood up topliment him, and beside him, Shelia couldn''t help but straighten up, enjoying the attention. "Their salmon is amazing. You should try it! The steak and crab too."


    Randy''s voice echoed from the other end of the corridor, making Juan pause from taking his seat.


    Unfortunately, the door had closed, and he couldn''t hear any response.


    "Mr. Nichols?" Shelia called out softly.


    Juanposed himself and took his seat, believing he had overthought. ''Debra couldn''t possibly be here."