Chapter 10

It was past ten o'clock at night when Emily returned home and saw Alexander sitting on the sofa in the living room. She signaled to the servant who wanted to talk to her and tiptoed upstairs.
"Come here!" The man leaned against the back of the sofa, holding a book, and spoke lightly.
Emily knew she couldn't avoid him and walked over, pretending to be calm. "Alexander, you haven't slept yet?"
"No wonder you were so anxious to find a tutor. Do you have a boyfriend?" Alexander looked up at her with a questioning gaze.
"No!" Emily immediately shook her head. "I just went shopping with my classmates!"
"Your boyfriend is your classmate?" Alexander stated matter-of-factually.
Emily knew she couldn't hide anything from this old fox, so she sat opposite him and said frankly, "Yes, I have a boyfriend. Our family is special, but can you not investigate or monitor us? I want to have an ordinary relationship. So don't worry; he's perfect, and I've never told him about our family situation."
Alexander put down his book and sipped tea before slowly speaking again. "I can refrain from investigating, but you must be careful since your parents are not at home now. I am responsible for your safety."
Emily smiled gratefully, "Thank you, Alexander! You're the best!"
Alexander chuckled, then added, "By the way, Ares has accepted that classmate of yours as his tutor. So let her continue coming next week on Saturdays and Sundays."
"Really?" Emily's smile grew wider as she pulled out her phone while turning towards the stairs."I'll tell her right away!"
When Emily reached halfway up the stairs, she shouted, "Alison! Are you asleep?"
Alison's response on the other end of the phone made Emily say happily," Alexander says you teach very well. So you're hired as Ares' tutor. Classes will be on Saturdays and Sundays in the morning. How does that sound?"
Alison frowned unconsciously when she heard Emily's words, "When did he say I was good?"
Emily had already gone upstairs, and her voice gradually faded away. The man felt no need to argue with a little girl like Alison, so he lowered his head and continued reading his book.
...
On Monday afternoon, Alison went to class with Rose passing by the foreign language building when suddenly a group of people rushed towards them. At the forefront was Cameron, a tall and handsome boy whose gaze remained fixed on Alison.
"It's Cameron!" Rose excitedly tugged at Alison's sleeve.
Alison looked at the bouquet of roses in Cameron's hand and couldn't help but frown slightly. She turned around, wanting to leave but found Nicola, along with several other girls blocking their way. Nicola liked Cameron, while Cameron liked Alison. It was something that everyone at Columbia University knew about.
In just moments, Cameron had reached them; his eyes focused intently on her, "Alison, I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?"
Rose was more excited than Alison; she kept pinching her arm and gesturing for her to agree. Cameron came from a wealthy family, was handsome, and served as student council president. How could such an outstanding person remain steadfastly infatuated with someone like Alison for three years?
The surrounding crowd cheered loudly, shouting, "Be together! Be together!"
The noise made Allison feel irritable even though she had tried hard over these past few years to adapt to this chaotic environment. Finally, she looked at Cameron seriously, "I don't like you."
Cameron's smile froze momentarily, but he still refused to give up. He would graduate soon, and time wasn't on his side anymore. Without hesitation, Cameron knelt on one knee. His handsome face was full of persistence, "Alison, don't test me anymore. You like me; I know it!"
He didn't think Alison had any reason not to like him and believed she was playing hard to get by, not agreeing.
"I wasn't testing you; I don't like you!" Alison said expressionlessly. Cameron looked up at her straight in the eye, and everyone else quieted down as the atmosphere became awkward.
Cameron stood up; this was his first public confession of love. He braced himself for it but never expected Alison to be so ruthless. He felt annoyed but tried to suppress his emotions and pretended nothing had happened: "Alison, if you don't want so many people watching us, let's find a quieter place."
"I've already made myself clear," Alison remained unmoved. She thought that if she didn't like someone, she should reject them directly instead of dragging things out or being ambiguous, which would only harm both parties.
Cameron's face gradually darkened as he asked: "You don't like me?"
"I don't!" There was no hesitation in Alison's tone.
The rose in Cameron's hand fell on the ground as his face turned increasingly livid while staring fixedly at Alison. Then, turning towards Nicola, he asked: "Do you want to be with me?"
Nicola was taken aback and bit her lip before walking over quickly and asking Cameron with her head held high: "What do you mean?"
Looking at Alison again, Cameron suddenly reached out and pulled Nicola close by the shoulder, holding her chin tightly before kissing her forcefully.
There were murmurs all around!
Feeling bored beyond belief now, Alison turned around and left with Rose following closely behind, who had snapped back from shock earlier.
"Alison!" Suddenly Cameron shouted hoarsely after them.
Alison stopped walking but did not turn back around.
"If you take one more step forward, I promise you'll regret it!" Then, with eyes bloodshot, Cameron stared at Alison's back with a look of fury.
Alison did not stay any longer and continued walking away without looking back. Nicola's face turned pale as she pushed Cameron's arm away and shouted: "What do you take me for?"
After saying that, she glared fiercely at Alison before running off quickly.
On the third floor, Alexander stood with his hands in his pockets, watching the scene expressionlessly.
"Alexander!" Dr. Wilson walked over with an elegant smile. "Why are you standing here? Come inside; I'll make you some good tea!"
Alexander glanced briefly at the girl who had already gone far away before smiling lightly: "It's stuffy inside; I just came out to get some fresh air."
"Something was going on just now, which made you wait so long. Let's talk about it inside," Dr. Wilson politely ushered Alexander into his office.
Cameron left downstairs in anger while everyone else dispersed one by one.
Rose looked back regretfully at Cameron's figure and couldn't help but complain to Alison: "What were you thinking? If even Cameron isn't good enough for you, then who is? If he ends up being with Nicola instead of you, it will be too late for regrets!"
Alison looked helpless as she replied: "I don't like him; should I accept him even if I don't?"
"Then who do you like?" Rose paused before asking again: "Is it me?"
Alison hesitated momentarily before replying jokingly: "Did you forget something important at home today because of your rush to leave?"
"What did I forget?" Rose raised her eyebrows curiously.
"Your shamelessness!" Alison retorted playfully.
Rose realized what was happening and pinched Alison on her arm, growling: "You're such a tease! So here I am, trying my best for your sake, and you still dare to make fun of me!"
Alison laughed and ran away, saying: "Stop it already! You have your Cush's class today; you'll be late!"