Chapter 385: Reid Everett's Face Darkened Instantly

Reid Everett's face darkened instantly. "What are you photographing? I'll call the police!"

Maya Torres waved her phone. "Filming in public isn't illegal. I'm a law-abiding citizen."

Reid turned livid with rage.

Avery Quinn frowned impatiently. "Reid, what's wrong with you?"

"What?"

"We're splitting the bill equally for this meal. Stop pretending to be generous. Finish up and let's get back to campus!"

Reid shot Clara Whitmore's group a resentful glare before storming off.

Zach Nolan remained rooted in place. Dutch treat...

"I just remembered something urgent. I have to go!"

He sprinted away before anyone could respond.

Reid sneered. "Cheapskate! Probably couldn't stomach paying his share."

Avery shrugged. "Forget about him."

Outside the restaurant, Clara's ride arrived.

Maya and Noah Kessler climbed in first.

As Clara reached for the passenger door, she glimpsed a familiar figure in her periphery.

After a brief hesitation, she approached. "Zach?"

A tall male student emerged from the shadows, scratching his head awkwardly. "Y-yeah."

"We're heading back to campus. Want to join us?"

"Really?" Zach's eyes brightened before dimming with uncertainty.

The restaurant was too far from school—their initial ride had cost over twenty dollars.

He'd planned to take the bus, but the last one had already departed.

No drivers were accepting his carpool request on the ride-sharing app. Just as he considered canceling, Clara appeared.

"It's on our way."

"Thank you so much!"

Zach's height forced Clara to offer him the front seat.

The driver eyed him. "Son, with your build, my car feels cramped."

Zach flashed an embarrassed grin, revealing a row of white teeth.

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the university gates.

After exiting, Zach noticed the others hadn't moved. "We're here. Aren't you getting out?"

Clara shook her head. "We live off-campus."

"Oh..." He rubbed his neck. "Thanks again for today."

Suddenly, he pulled something from his pocket, shoved it through the window, and bolted.

Clara looked down.

A twenty-dollar bill.

Cash transactions had become rare these days.

Noah glanced at it. "Painfully earnest."

The total fare was twenty-five—just over six dollars per person.

Because they weren't campus residents, Zach had insisted on paying twenty.

Maya sighed. "Too bad he chose the wrong advisor. Why pick Lenora Voss?"

Noah shrugged. "Derek Romano's his hometown friend. Naturally, he'd choose Lenora."

"How do you know that?"

"Derek came looking for him during orientation."

"I see..."

Someone as guileless as Zach was truly uncommon nowadays.

* * *

At the alleyway, Clara exited the car.

The moon cast a cold glow over sparse stars.

Summer night air carried oppressive heat.

Her steps faltered abruptly.

Beneath the apartment's entryway, a man leaned lazily against a tree. The moment he spotted her, his posture snapped upright.