Chapter 59: His Chin Nearly Brushed the Top of Her Head

His chin nearly brushed the top of her head. If he hadn't steadied her in time, she would have tumbled straight into his arms.

Clara jolted awake and took two quick steps back.

Elias's Adam's apple bobbed as he withdrew his arm. His voice was low. "Flats are safer."

She couldn't help laughing. "Thanks."

"Clara?" Sloane's voice carried from outside. "Is that you?"

Clara glanced toward the door. "I should go."

"Hmm."

Elias clenched his fist. As he turned to climb the stairs, snippets of conversation drifted up from below.

"What took so long?"

"Minor mishap."

"Did you see my cousin?"

Sloane only knew her cousin lived in the area, unaware they were next-door neighbors.

Clara gave a soft affirmation.

Finding nothing unusual in her expression, Sloane changed the subject, pulling her into a debate about dinner venues. They settled on a new Thai restaurant.

"Those spoiled brats have no sense of boundaries," Sloane grumbled while slicing into mango sticky rice. "Someone ought to teach them a lesson."

Their social circle knew Sloane loved to party, so her sudden foray into arranged dates had become gossip fodder. The reluctant bachelors either acted arrogantly or made snide remarks, implying she should settle down.

"So I leaked their scandals." Sloane lifted her chin triumphantly. "Let's see who dares look down on me now."

Clara wasn't surprised. Her best friend had always believed in direct retribution. "No wonder the tabloids have been buzzing."

"Serves them right." Sloane sighed. "Even with my family background, I'm getting pressured to marry. It's exhausting."

She lowered her voice. "Actually, my aunt is more desperate—she keeps setting up blind dates for my cousin."

Clara froze. Elias being matchmade?

She couldn't picture the aloof, dignified man in such situations.

"But he's rarely home, so Auntie's efforts are wasted." Sloane winked. "I do wonder what kind of woman would catch his eye."

The hallway scene flashed through Clara's mind—his reserved demeanor, yet how quickly he'd reached out when she nearly fell.

How fortunate the person who held his heart must be.

* * *

Time slipped away like sand through fingers.

Winter arrived in the blink of an eye.

Graduate entrance exams commenced as scheduled.