Chapter 20: Hugging a Big Thigh
Vivian Lowell couldn’t tell Julian Faulkner what was hidden behind that photograph.
Her mind made up, Vivian Lowell pursed her lips into a smile and said, "I just thought the bauhinia flowers in the picture were pretty. I couldn’t help but look a little longer."
"Mm."
Julian Faulkner agreed readily.
From the corner of her eye, Vivian Lowell glanced at his cheek. She had a feeling he didn’t actually believe her answer.
In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the base of the Faulkner Group building.
Vivian Lowell and Vance Wyatt quickly signed the agreement. Vivian was very satisfied with the office space, and Vance also offered to help her with some simple decorating later on.
"That would be a great help, thank you!"
Vivian Lowell thanked Vance Wyatt politely. Now that she had found a place for her studio, she wanted to make a trip back to the Lowell Family estate.
Just then, she received a call from Sharon Galahad.
Vivian answered quickly. On the other end of the line, Sharon Galahad, who probably hadn’t expected Vivian to pick up instantly after ignoring her messages all night, was momentarily stunned.
"Vivian?"
Sharon Galahad said her name, checking if she had dialed the wrong number.
"Mrs. Lowell." Vivian’s tone was light as she asked innocently, "Is something wrong?"
"..."
’How dare you ask me what’s wrong!’
Sharon Galahad was fuming, but thinking of the design draft, she suppressed her anger and said, "It’s like this, Vivian. Shelly... she’s a very slow learner."
"If she does this design, she probably won’t be able to meet the deadline. I was thinking, why don’t you just take it over? You’ve already drawn half of it anyway, you just need to finish the rest."
"We’ll just put Shelly’s name on it when it’s done. It’s all the same!"
’The same?’
Vivian almost laughed out of sheer anger.
’To steal someone else’s work and act so entitled about it... Sharon Galahad’s shamelessness is truly a rare sight in this world!’
’However—’
Recalling her plan, Vivian Lowell broke into a radiant smile and said, "Alright."
!?
The person on the other end of the line froze.
Sharon Galahad could hardly believe her ears!
She had even prepared all sorts of arguments to persuade Vivian, but she never expected her to agree in a single breath!
In the brief moment that Sharon Galahad was unsure how to react, Vivian spoke again. "It’s just that I’m very busy right now. Didn’t you say you wanted me to teach Shelly etiquette and all that?"
"As it happens, I’ve hired a teacher for her. With a teacher’s help, I’ll be able to free up my hands to continue with the design. What do you think, Mrs. Lowell?"
Sharon Galahad snapped back to her senses.
She nodded in deep agreement, thinking that what Vivian said made sense.
The design was their most urgent priority right now. Shelly had zero foundation in dance, etiquette, and music, so that would just have to be a slow process.
It would take a lot of time to polish her skills.
Thinking of this, Sharon Galahad couldn’t help but be reminded of Shelly’s aptitude and sighed a long sigh.
In terms of talent, Shelly was worlds apart from Vivian. She was slow to learn everything and didn’t seem very bright at all.
Sometimes Sharon Galahad even suspected that the hospital had made another mistake.
’What if her daughter was actually Vivian, not Shelly?’
Unfortunately.
After repeated confirmations, and even a DNA test, Sharon Galahad knew that Shelly was indeed her daughter.
After hanging up, Sharon Galahad shook her head.
A thought suddenly occurred to her: if only the hospital had never discovered its mistake. Then the Lowell Family could still be as it once was.
The moment the thought arose, Sharon Galahad suppressed it.
’How could that be?’
’Her bloodline was priceless; it absolutely could not be confused!’
After Vivian Lowell hung up the phone, she prepared to take a taxi back to the Lowell estate.
After booking a car, Vivian picked up her bag to leave, but she saw that Vance Wyatt hadn’t left yet. He was organizing some documents in his hands while glancing in her direction.
"Is there anything else?" Vivian asked.
Vance Wyatt hesitated for a moment, then decided to speak. "This might be a bit forward, but I wanted to ask if you’ve run into some trouble, Madam?"
"If there’s anything I can do to help—"
’So that’s what this was about.’
’Vance Wyatt really is a good person.’
Vivian Lowell gave a small smile and said, "It’s just a small matter. I can handle it myself. Alright, I have to go out. You should get back to your own work!"
"Oh, right. When you have a moment, check on President Faulkner’s hand injury. If it hasn’t fully healed, remember to remind him to apply his medicine."
"Yes, ma’am!" Upon hearing this, Vance Wyatt snapped to attention like a soldier. He waited until Vivian was far away before returning to the president’s office.
He knocked gently on Julian Faulkner’s door. Julian’s cool voice came from within, saying flatly, "Come in."
Vance Wyatt pushed the door open, closed it behind him, and bowed respectfully to Julian Faulkner. "President Faulkner, is the injury on your hand any better?"
"Mm."
Julian Faulkner answered softly, finding it strange.
Why would Vance Wyatt suddenly run in just to ask about such a trivial matter?
"Well—" Vance Wyatt maintained a proper smile, paused, and then added, "Madam said to remind you to apply your medicine."
"Mm."
Julian Faulkner once again answered softly.
This time, Vance Wyatt was sure he wasn’t mistaken. The corner of Julian Faulkner’s mouth had actually tilted up ever so slightly!
It was just a tiny bit, but Vance Wyatt caught it.
Not only that, but Julian Faulkner’s tone was also noticeably lighter when he replied.
’It seems President Faulkner really does care about Madam!’
Having confirmed this, Vance Wyatt slowly backed out of the office. After closing the door, he made a resolution in his heart.
’I must latch onto Madam’s golden thigh and never let go!’
...
An hour later, Vivian Lowell arrived back at the Lowell estate.
She had specially invited an internationally renowned etiquette and music teacher to the Lowell estate, preparing to have this teacher thoroughly instruct Shelly.
"She just came back from the outside and knows nothing about etiquette or music. Mr. Zane, I’ll have to ask you to be extra patient while teaching her."
As they got out of the car, Vivian specifically mentioned Shelly’s situation.
Mr. Zane understood but didn’t take it too much to heart. He said, "Miss Lowell, you can rest assured. I will be diligent."
In all his years in the profession, he had encountered some untalented students. He believed that as long as he was patient and the student was determined, it was still quite easy to learn.
It’s just...
What Mr. Zane hadn’t expected was...
Shelly was completely unwilling to learn from the person Vivian had brought. Viewing him through a prejudiced lens, she became even more hostile.
「In the dance studio.」
Mr. Zane taught Shelly one of the simplest parts of social etiquette.
Shelly tried it three or four times, but her posture was still incorrect. Not only did she look frivolous, but also unrefined. Even Mason Grant, who was practicing with her, started to feel a little embarrassed.