Chapter 914

"You haven't slept all night either, Dad. You should take the couch. I'll nap here for a bit, and then I'll check on Grace upstairs," Hazel murmured. She curled up at the foot of Elizabeth's bed and drifted off almost immediately. Autumn lingered, with golden leaves crackling underfoot. Pale chrysanthemums swayed in the breeze, carrying the sweet fragrance of osmanthus blossoms in the air as if the season itself whispered a soft farewell to the passing year. At Zenith University, the semester had reached the period of minor quizzes, and classroom management had grown noticeably more relaxed. James noticed a small, familiar figure lingering near him. "Chubs, what are you doing here?" he inquired. Leaning in conspiratorially, Abigail whispered, "I'm here to answer the roll call for Hazel." James exclaimed, "We're having a quiz!" Abigail shrugged, unfazed. "Then I'll take the quiz for her. Hazel had to stay with Mrs. Prescott and couldn't make it. If she misses the quiz,