Riley thought about it seriously for a moment. "Not sure. Shiny stones. Treasure. I likey."
The moment she said that, Felicia immediately thought of the diamond ring Riley had been wearing.
A smile spread across her face.
"I see." Her tone softened instantly. "It's okay, Riley. You're not very good with these things—I'll carry them for you. I'll keep these bags with me and bring them back tomorrow."
She lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Just don't tell Mr Yeardley. He's so fierce. Not a nice person at all."
Riley nodded as if she understood.
That only made Felicia carry the bags with even more enthusiasm.
What she didn't know was that Riley had simply filled both bags with pebbles she'd picked up from the garden at Clearbrook Estate.
***
Back at Clearbrook Estate, Riley picked up a glossy fashion magazine and headed upstairs.
When Mr Yeardley saw her, his face lit up with satisfaction. "Madam Riley has really changed after attending the university. She's even started reading."
Riley looked down at the magazine in her hands and fell silent.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated, startling her.
She answered.
A lively voice came through immediately. "Rye, my flight lands tonight. Want to meet tomorrow?"
Riley pouted. "Why do you get to decide it's tomorrow? I'm not going."
"Ah—not like that," Lucas laughed. "I have to visit a relative tonight, so tomorrow's the only option. It's settled. See you tomorrow."
Before she could respond, the call ended.
Riley stared at her phone, speechless, then tossed it aside.
***
From downstairs, faint voices drifted up.
She tilted her head, listening.
Mr Yeardley was instructing the staff to prepare extra dishes—there would be guests tonight.
Riley lost interest quickly and went back to flipping through her magazine, completely absorbed.
***
An hour later, her phone vibrated again.
This time, it was a message from the faculty group chat she had just joined earlier that day.
Director Sutherland had posted an announcement:
All advisors were required to hold a class meeting tonight.
It was already 6:30 p.m.
Only half an hour left.
It was the first day of the semester at Imperial University, and every advisor was expected to meet with their homeroom class.
Riley's situation, however, was different.
She would be conducting her session online.
She glanced around the room, taking in the space. The environment was pleasant. Quiet. Good enough for a livestream.
There's plenty of time for her since Adrian would not be back until around nine that night.
Her gaze dropped as she considered her next move. After a brief pause, she opened a shopping app and placed a few orders.
With local delivery, the items arrived quickly.
***
When the packages showed up at Clearbrook Estate, the staff were completely baffled.
In all their years working here, they had never seen something like this.
Adrian did receive deliveries from time to time.
But they were always documents, sent straight to the company.
A maid hurried off to inform Mr Yeardley. He was just about to call and confirm—
When Riley suddenly ran out, bright and cheerful.
"Madam, are these yours?" someone asked.
Riley tilted her head and shook it firmly. "Nope. Daddy bought snacks for bunny."
Silence fell.
The boxes were clearly labelled.
"Heavy Hammer."
"Extra-Large Wrench."
Since when did bunnies eat tools?
Well. Madam Riley was not exactly… normal.
A trace of sympathy flickered in their eyes.
Riley, however, did not care in the slightest. Ignoring their looks, she stepped forward happily and grabbed the two large boxes.