Chapter 298 Marcus's Test
Camilla was taken aback for a moment, only then realizing he was speaking to her.
"There are only two or three decent restaurants near Harmony College, so running into each other isn't exactly surprising," she replied.
Ever since Azalea had repeatedly exclaimed what a coincidence it was, Camilla had wanted to retort. What was so coincidental about seeing classmates at restaurants near campus? Was it really that remarkable? Why did they both use this as an opening line? It all felt so contrived to her.
"Are you angry?" Leopold asked.
Camilla gave him a puzzled look.
Leopold's eyes darkened slightly. "That day, I took everything you said to heart. Since you've moved on, I figured I shouldn't keep dwelling in the past either."
Camilla looked up at him.
This was the first time since their breakup that she had really studied Leopold.
Leopold smiled. "Surprised? It's been over a year—I've had time to process things. I was living in a fantasy before, acting recklessly and causing you a lot of trouble. I'm sorry about that. It won't happen again."
Camilla's gaze grew more scrutinizing.
Leopold seemed not to notice, maintaining an air of candid nonchalance. "Time heals all wounds—I didn't believe that before, but now I understand. You were right; people need to look forward and move on."
Camilla frowned, finding Leopold's transformation somewhat abrupt. His words sounded sincere, but she couldn't shake the feeling they were deliberately staged for her benefit. Whatever his motives or plans might be, they no longer mattered to her.
"I'm glad you feel that way," she nodded. "I wish you nothing but smooth sailing and bright horizons ahead."
Leopold's lips curled into a smile. "Thank you, Cami."
"Since you're making a fresh start, perhaps you should adjust how you address me. Call me Camilla—we wouldn't want your girlfriend getting the wrong idea, would we?" She offered a light smile.
Leopold's expression remained unchanged, but his hand at his side slowly clenched into a fist. "Of course."
"Let's go, Leopold." Azalea emerged from the convenience store with her purchases, smiling as she extended her hand toward him.
Leopold stepped forward, took her hand, and slipped his arm around her waist. He glanced back at Camilla with a slight nod. "We'll be on our way then."
"Sure."
As Camilla looked away, she couldn't help but sigh.
How exhausting. Couldn't they have just pretended not to know each other? Who taught people to make small talk with their exes? And bringing their current partner along—that was just insane!
She hoped they wouldn't run into each other again.
Tobias retrieved his car and drove Camilla home.
Marcus, however, wasn't in a hurry to leave.
He stood by his car, lighting a cigarette and holding it between his fingers like a hunter waiting for his prey.
Sure enough, Leopold soon came to get his car.
Their eyes met—Marcus with a sardonic smile, Leopold expressionless.
After several exchanges of challenging glances, Marcus casually broke the silence: "Where's your girlfriend? Not taking her home after dinner? Or back to your place?"
Leopold's eyes narrowed slightly before he let out a soft laugh. "She lives on campus. She can walk back—no need for a car."
"Couldn't you at least walk her to her dormitory?"
Leopold countered, "How do you know I didn't?"
Marcus checked his watch. "If you did, you must have moved at lightning speed. Don't couples in the honeymoon phase usually linger when saying goodbye?"
"As I recall, you and Amara couldn't keep your hands off each other even at the school gates. What changed? Turned over a new leaf?" he added.
Leopold's expression darkened. "How is this any of your business?"
Marcus shrugged with his palms up. "It's not. I'm just curious about this remarkably convenient new girlfriend of yours. She happens to attend Harmony College, happens to be in the same year as Camilla, and happens to be in the same department studying the same major. You certainly have a type."
Leopold gave a cold laugh. "What's this? Developing a habit of coveting other people's girlfriends now?"
Marcus couldn't help but laugh. "Don't be so defensive. We were best friends once—I'm just checking in on you."
Leopold smirked, his expression dripping with sarcasm. "Checking in or fishing for information? You know which it is."
"So you caught on?"
Marcus didn't deny it, giving Leopold a once-over. "It just seems to me that you found this new girlfriend awfully quickly—almost like it's all an act."
"Think what you want. Just get out of my way."
Marcus raised an eyebrow, still unable to discern the truth.
"I'm guessing this performance is for Camilla's benefit?" Marcus said.
Leopold let out a derisive laugh without arguing. "Like I said, think what you want."
Marcus's gaze intensified. "Weren't you dead set on winning Camilla back? Why the sudden appearance of another woman?"
"Are you interrogating me?"
"Just curious."
"I'm under no obligation to satisfy your curiosity."
Marcus pressed, "What are you really up to?"
"Getting nervous, Marcus? Is this what it takes to rattle you? You think you have a chance with Camilla just because I couldn't win her back? How naive! I simply woke up to reality before you did and happened to meet someone suitable. So save your pointless probing."
"You've really given up? For this Azalea?"
Leopold's expression turned ice-cold. "Given your history, I'd prefer not to hear my girlfriend's name from your mouth. Understood?"
Marcus noted that Leopold didn't appear to be joking, and his protectiveness toward Azalea seemed genuine. Plus, when Camilla was mentioned, his expression remained unchanged—not a single crack in his facade, as if he had truly moved on.
After a moment, Marcus spoke casually, "Just kidding. Don't take it so seriously."
Leopold scoffed. "Save it. You think I don't know what's going through your mind? Sorry to disappoint you."
Having finished his cigarette, Marcus stubbed it out, opened his car door, and got in. "I'm off."
With that, he floored the accelerator, and the car shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.
Leopold stood watching as the car disappeared from view, his expression instantly morphing into one of cold contempt.
God only knew how much restraint it had taken not to punch Marcus in his infuriating face.
Still trying to test him?
Meanwhile, in the car, Marcus turned the steering wheel, laughing coldly to himself.
Leopold had grown craftier, knowing when to retreat in order to advance.
His act was convincing—almost enough to fool Marcus, except for one tell.
Someone who had truly moved on wouldn't parade their new partner in front of their ex, deliberately initiating conversation.
From the moment Leopold entered that restaurant, saw Camilla, and still approached her with his arm around his girlfriend, he had given himself away.
"He's learned a few tricks," Marcus mused.
The performance wasn't bad, but it ultimately didn't matter—Camilla had no interest in watching the show.
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