The next day.
Russell was preparing breakfast in the kitchen as usual.
Although he hadn't gone to bed until a little late last night, thanks to his internal clock, he managed to stop the alarm before it rang.
As for how to spend the remaining sleep time… he simply had to catch up on the classes he had missed.
It was about time to show the professors at Imperial College that he hadn't forgotten his original aspirations and was a serious student.
Charlotte hadn't been able to wake up on time today—probably because she had stayed up too late last night.
Russell waited for a while, but since there was still no sign of her waking up, he covered the breakfast to keep it from getting too cold and left Baker Street 221B.
Today, Imperial College London seemed a little different from usual.
At least as far as Russell was concerned.
From the moment he passed through the school gate, he felt as though someone was watching him, and all sorts of comments seemed to be constantly flying around.
Seeing this, Russell couldn't help but sigh.
The Times had published an excellent article yesterday.
Thanks to his "Listening" and "Investigation" abilities, he could clearly hear not only the whispers around him but also the mixed gazes of curiosity, prying, and even jealousy.
"Is that Charlotte Holmes's assistant?"
"He looks… completely ordinary."
"According to reports, it only took him three months to get into Imperial College London. Is that true?"
"Who knows? Maybe he's just bragging. In any case, who could verify these things…"
"I heard he's been to Buckingham Palace, but I don't know if that's true."
The discussions were generally filled with curiosity, but there were also some sharp opinions tinged with faint dissatisfaction.
Russell listened with a blank expression, absorbing every fragment of malice scattered around, then quickly walked toward the lecture hall.
When he entered the classroom through the back door, the previously noisy classroom instantly fell silent.
As if he were a star on stage under the spotlight, all eyes turned to him at once.
Russell paused for a moment, then casually closed the door and slowly sat down in his seat under the gaze of dozens of people.
Mary was sitting in her usual spot, resting her chin on her hand, her blue eyes filled with amusement as she looked at him with interest.
The girl was still wearing her white cashmere scarf, and in the morning light, her loosely hanging silver hair shone particularly brightly.
"Good morning, respected celebrity."
When Russell took his seat, Mary's slightly teasing voice gently reached his ears.
Hearing this, Russell set his backpack aside and let out a somewhat helpless sigh.
"Morning."
"It seems what someone said back then has really come true."
Mary gave a small laugh.
"Now people all over London will be looking at you in a completely new light."
As she spoke, she glanced at the students in the classroom. They were still sneaking glances at them. Then the smile on her lips deepened further.
"How does it feel?"
Mary leaned closer to Russell and asked, "How does it feel to be looked at by so many people?"
"Not very good."
Russell lay down on the desk and buried his face in his arms.
"It's like being a monkey locked in a zoo."
"It's not that exaggerated," Mary laughed.
"Now you've really become a celebrity! Look at the way those guys are staring at you. They're so jealous. They'll definitely regret it."
"I still prefer the feeling back then, when no one noticed me."
Russell said in a muffled voice.
"It's too late to say that now."
Mary lightly poked his arm with her fingertip.
"You should have expected this day the moment you agreed to the interview."
"This is the story you started."
The moment she finished speaking, the bell signaling the start of class rang at the perfect time, and Professor Fields walked toward the podium holding his lesson plan.
His gaze, as usual, turned toward the back row. When he saw the familiar figure slouching again, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch upward.
Don't mind it. Just leave him be.
Today's class will at least end on time.
…
The morning classes ended in a calm atmosphere.
At noon, in the familiar empty classroom.
With those unsettling watchful eyes gone, Russell looked much more relaxed.
He sat deeply in his chair, holding a sandwich in his hand. Suddenly remembering something, he asked,
"By the way, how did your father react after reading the newspaper?"
Hearing Russell's question, Mary's smile faded slightly.
The girl blinked, then smiled mischievously. "Try guessing?"
Instead of answering directly, she threw the same question back at him in a playful, probing tone.
Russell said nothing and simply looked at her.
Mary didn't flinch. She simply met his gaze, rested her chin on her hand, and remained that way while being stared at.
Sunlight streaming through the window illuminated the girl's profile, enveloping her delicate, doll-like face in a soft golden glow.
"In other words," Russell thought for a moment before speaking, "does that mean I've already achieved my goal?"
Hearing this, Mary raised an eyebrow but neither denied nor confirmed it. She simply let the smile in her eyes deepen.
"I think so."
She said in a low voice, as though confiding a secret.
"Ever since he read that newspaper, his view of you has changed quite a bit."
"He used to think of you as an obstacle, but now he sees you as a very talented young man with great potential."
"Really?"
"Mm-hmm."
The girl nodded vaguely.
"He said you have a very promising future and praised you for standing beside the Holmes family at such a young age, recognized by the Holmes family, Scotland Yard, and even Buckingham Palace."
As she spoke, her tone carried a subtle, indescribable meaning.
It wasn't mockery, nor was it ridicule.
It felt somewhat distant, like when repeating someone else's words.
When she said it, it was as though she was simply playing the role of a paraphraser.
She didn't care how those words were received.
Russell said nothing and simply looked at Mary. Mary seemed to sense the situation, closed her mouth, met his gaze, and gave a warm smile.
For some reason, Russell felt that something was missing from that smile.
It was like looking through thin glass. You could see it, but you couldn't touch it.
There was a smile in the girl's eyes, but that smile didn't reach her eyes—it remained only on the surface.
The smile on her face when she said those words didn't feel genuine; it was merely a social courtesy.
She didn't want to repeat even a single word the man had said.
A newly discovered stock with high potential…
Those who invested before others noticed will one day reap enormous profits.
Just like before, you can become friends with him, chat, invite him to your home…
Think of it as… cultivating a capable subordinate for the future.
She hadn't said these words aloud.
She had simply worn an extremely appropriate and perfect smile and said to Russell,
"In other words, he now looks at you with more respect than before."
Hearing this, Russell nodded and was silent for two seconds.
"What about you?"
He suddenly asked again.
Mary fell silent for a moment.
"Oh?"
"Um."
Russell nodded and turned his gaze toward her face.
"So, what are you thinking?"
Hearing this, Mary didn't answer immediately.
She simply looked at him, at his calm expression, as though she had been asked a casual question.
"Myself..."
She gave a small laugh.
Her laughter was soft and gentle, like the sound of wind chimes swaying in a breeze.
"I don't think what's written in the newspaper is important."
Russell raised an eyebrow. "Not important?"
"Mm."
Mary nodded and tucked the strands of hair that had fallen behind her ear. Then half of her beautiful, delicate earlobe was revealed.
"Scotland Yard and Buckingham Palace are too far away for me."
She paused and turned her gaze toward his face.
"You are you."
…
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