The Seductive Pretty Boy of the Matriarchal World-Chapter 59: Poor Toodles Was Toyed With

Chapter 59: Poor Toodles Was Toyed With

Elias Kane ended the call and started toward the campus cafeteria for breakfast, the morning sun already warming the stone paths between the ivy-covered buildings. He had taken only a few steps when a thought stopped him cold. The toe of his shoe pivoted with effortless grace, and he spun around in one fluid motion, heading straight for the large oak tree that cast a wide pool of shade across the lawn.

There, half-hidden among the roots, Lila Morgan crouched low, phone clutched in both hands as she tried to wedge herself deeper into the bushes like she could vanish into the foliage. The instant she sensed him approaching, she lifted her head slowly, cheeks flushing with unmistakable embarrassment as their eyes met.

Elias regarded her with an expression that hovered somewhere between amusement and mockery. "What exactly are you doing squatting down there? Stand up."

Lila obeyed at once, rising with stiff, mechanical movements while a wave of self-doubt crashed through her. Was she really this bad at the job? The library incident could be excused as carelessness, but she had been trying—actually trying—to stay invisible this time. Yet Elias Kane had still spotted her without any effort at all.

He folded his arms across his chest and gave her a slow, deliberate once-over. The way she stood so rigidly at attention told him everything about the instructions Liora Voss had given her. "Did Liora Voss tell you to do whatever I say?"

"Yeah."

The single word left her lips on a quiet exhale, and any last flicker of hope inside her chest died.

This man wasn’t someone any woman could casually claim. Even her employer might be outmatched.

"No wonder you’re so obedient." Elias tilted his pale chin upward, the motion carrying lazy command. "What’s your name?"

"Lila Morgan."

He gave a small nod. "Come with me."

Without waiting for a reply he turned and started back the way he had come, stride unhurried and confident. Lila hesitated only a heartbeat before falling into step behind him, stomach twisting with nervous uncertainty about whatever he planned to make her do next.

She found out soon enough. Elias led her straight into the bustling cafeteria, the air thick with the smell of fresh coffee and warm pastries. He scanned the lines and deliberately chose the shortest one, sliding into place with the easy grace of someone who knew exactly how to move through crowds without drawing extra attention. Within minutes they reached the counter.

"I’ll take this one... and this..." Elias pointed out his selections, then turned that soft, disarming smile on Lila. "Lila, have you eaten breakfast yet?"

She blinked, caught off guard, and shook her head.

"Then I’ll order one for you too." His voice stayed gentle, almost kind. "What do you want? Or would you rather have the same thing I’m having?"

"It’s the best combo—I tasted it myself. I don’t usually tell just anyone."

"Yeah," Lila answered, her pulse giving a strange, unwelcome little flutter she couldn’t quite explain.

"Sir, make that two of the exact same order."

"You got it!"

The server slid the trays across. Elias flashed the man behind the counter one of his sweetest smiles. "Thank you, sir."

He took the first tray and handed it to Lila, then accepted his own. As he started to walk away, Lila moved to follow—until he glanced back over his shoulder, bright eyes blinking once with exaggerated innocence. "Aren’t you going to pay?"

Lila froze, the realization hitting her a beat too late. "Oh... right..."

Under the cashier’s faintly puzzled stare she tapped her card, a quiet, hollow feeling settling in her chest.

So that was why he had dragged her along—to make her cover the bill.

Only after he watched her complete the payment did Elias give a satisfied little nod and continue walking. He chose a table and sat down, then lifted an eyebrow when Lila tried to slide into the seat across from him. "Why are you still following me? Go find another table. You’re not seriously expecting to share one with me, are you? Hide. Keep watching. Keep tailing me. Where’s your professional pride?"

The words sent Lila scurrying away like a startled animal. She dropped into the nearest empty table, cheeks burning.

Part of her wanted to be angry at him, but she had no outlet for it. His intentions had been crystal clear from the start; she had simply been too slow to see them, letting herself entertain the ridiculous daydream that he might actually be showing her concern...

She stared down at the steaming food in front of her. Her stomach was empty, yet she had zero appetite. A cartoon image flashed through her mind—poor Toodles Galore getting her cheeks pinched and squished by a sleek, seductive Tom—and right now she felt exactly like that poor, helpless Toodles.

Lila slapped her own cheeks sharply to snap herself out of it, then pulled out her phone and began typing a report to Liora Voss.

Elias, meanwhile, had none of those complicated thoughts. He looked at the fragrant breakfast in front of him and dug in with unrestrained appetite, the flavors hitting exactly the way he liked.

Watching him devour the meal, System Theta spoke up in a low, almost hesitant monotone. [Host, you pulled Lila Morgan out of hiding just so she would pay for your food?]

"Obviously," Elias answered around a mouthful, throat working as he swallowed a spoonful of perfectly seasoned oatmeal. "Why else would I bother dragging her out?"

[System Theta: ...]

Of course it was the host.

At that moment his phone gave a soft chime. Elias ignored it completely, continuing to eat at his own leisurely pace. Only after he had drained the very last drop of broth from the bowl did he finally set it down and pick up the device.

Liora Voss: Switched from flirting with other women to bullying them instead?

Elias paused for half a second, mildly puzzled, then realized Lila must have already tattled to her boss.

A faint smile curved his lips. Some people really did start naming future children the moment they laid eyes on someone attractive.

He typed back with casual ease. "How exactly did I bully her? I felt bad that she hadn’t eaten breakfast, so I brought her to the cafeteria and let her treat me as thanks. That’s perfectly normal, isn’t it?"

Liora Voss read the message and let out a quiet, knowing laugh. She knew the truth was far more layered than that. Elias had undoubtedly turned on that magnetic charm of his, spinning Lila’s head around until she couldn’t think straight, then yanking the rug out from under her at the perfect moment.

Because that was exactly who he was—a little demon who took genuine pleasure in toying with people’s hearts.

Another message arrived almost immediately.

Elias Kane: Thanks for the walking ATM machine you sent me.

Elias Kane: As thanks, I’ll give you another reward. But this time I’m choosing it, not you.

Liora’s seductive eyes curved with lazy amusement as she replied.

Liora Voss: What reward?

Elias Kane: I’m going to let you watch an idol drama live.

He sent the final line, pocketed the phone, and stood up, already heading toward the hotel. He didn’t want to risk arriving too late and getting locked out.

Liora stared at her screen, faint confusion flickering across her features. When several follow-up messages she sent received no reply, she knew he had moved on. She turned to Lila instead.

Liora Voss: What is he doing right now?

Lila Morgan: Looks like he’s on his way to the hotel... still playing on his phone while walking.

Liora Voss: Keep a closer eye on him. Wouldn’t want him getting hit by a car.

Lila Morgan pressed her lips together. A man like Elias Kane wasn’t the type to die in some random accident. Still, it was an order from her employer. She slipped the phone away and quickened her pace, determined to protect him from any possible danger ahead.

Meanwhile, on the shaded tree-lined path leading back to the dorms, Timothy Reed strolled along with his usual easy gait. His phone suddenly buzzed. He pulled it out and glanced down—only for his eyes to widen in shock. The photo on the screen was explosive enough to send ripples through the entire campus if it ever leaked. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

It showed the hotel entrance. Giselle Frost was holding Elias Kane’s hand, leading him straight upstairs.