"Don't be rude, Nala!" Kasey swiftly reached for her daughter.
"Hey!" Nala rested her head on Lena's shoulder, "I really like my aunt!"
"Haha!" Harold placed his glass down. "I must admit, they do look like aunt and niece. Both beautiful. I hope Nala inherits Ms. Harding's calm charisma in the future."
Lena blushed. "You're very kind, sir."
"Nala kept telling me how pretty her aunt is. I thought—"
Elijah coughed, interrupting Harold.
Kasey realized what was happening and quickly signaled her father.
Lena, however, remained oblivious, unsure of what they were discussing.
"What did you think?"
Harold's smile froze, and he changed the topic. "Well, I still have one more campaign to handle. It would be wonderful to have an exceptional student representative."
Elijah promptly agreed. "Absolutely. There are a few students I've noticed. They're quite talented. With the opportunities they're getting now, they'll have successful futures."
"Is Alexander one of them?" Harold asked.
"Without a doubt!" Elijah confirmed.
Lena's hand, clutching her fork, trembled. "Wait, you guys know Alexander? Is he... any good?"
Oblivious to her distress, Elijah continued. "Alexander is sharp. I've spoken to him during my school visits. He's very responsible. Although... he carries an air of maturity about him, as if he's had to grow up quickly due to a challenging life."
"He's only 11 or 12, right?" Kasey asked. "Yet he appears much younger, around eight or nine. Malnutrition—it's truly heartbreaking."
Kasey then said, "What's troubling you, Lena? Please, eat more."
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