Chapter 53: He’s Angry
Vivian Lowell looked at the photos for a while, then left.
When she got back to the second floor, Julian Faulkner was, just as she’d expected, still awake. He was sitting at his desk, working on his computer. ’From the way he’s dragging the mouse, is he reviewing a document?’
Vivian didn’t want to disturb him, so she just went into the bedroom to wash up, then changed into her pajamas before coming back out.
The bar had been filled with too many different smells.
After getting clean, Vivian lit her favorite aromatherapy candle and immediately felt much more comfortable.
Outside the bedroom, Julian Faulkner was still looking at his computer.
This time, however, he must have noticed Vivian. He looked up at her, then frowned and said, "Too little."
?
’Too little?’
’What’s too little?’
Vivian was completely confused.
She looked down at her neckline and realized her pajamas were actually quite revealing; a little of her collarbones and chest were exposed.
However—
She had truly been a model of propriety, even putting on a bra specifically to avoid any awkwardness when talking to Julian Faulkner.
Who would have thought Julian Faulkner would still think she was wearing too little.
"It’s not too little."
Vivian sat down on the sofa across from Julian Faulkner and said, "It’s not even March first yet. In Aethelburg, the central heating doesn’t shut off until March first."
"The heat is on in the house right now, so it gets too hot after a shower. It would be sweltering if I wore any more."
"I’d just end up sweating and have to take another shower. That would be awful, don’t you think, President Faulkner?"
Julian Faulkner was noncommittal.
But seeing him just frown at her without a word, Vivian figured she must have been too reasonable for him to argue with.
After a long moment, Julian Faulkner finally closed his laptop. He took a sip of water from a glass beside him and said lightly, "Tell me about what happened at the bar."
"Oh."
At the mention of this, Vivian immediately sat up straight on the sofa. She looked like a perfectly behaved elementary school student called on by the teacher to read a passage aloud.
"It’s about Tanya. Today at Aethelburg University—"
Vivian recounted everything that had happened that day.
Wendy Wynn’s little doll, the disappearance of the security footage, Wendy Wynn’s claim that she and Eleanor Rhodes had pushed her when they hadn’t, and finally, Henry Sterling’s attitude afterward.
When she finished, Vivian sighed. "Tanya has liked Professor Sterling for so many years. She tried so hard to pursue him, and they had a relationship like friends."
"But who would have thought... we assumed love would blossom over time. But then, Professor Sterling’s old flame suddenly returned from abroad."
"Julian Faulkner, don’t you think Tanya is just so unlucky? And that Wendy Wynn... she was about to get married abroad, and then she just suddenly comes back. Do you think something happened?"
"And then she suddenly decides Henry Sterling is the best option? That woman is only interested in what she can gain! She doesn’t truly like Professor Sterling!"
Vivian had watched Eleanor Rhodes go through all of this, bit by bit, over the years.
Therefore, she could really empathize.
As she spoke about it in front of Julian Faulkner, she became a little agitated.
"..."
Julian Faulkner had been listening intently the whole time.
After she finished, he pursed his lips and said, "You can’t really say Eleanor Rhodes is unlucky. Maybe getting away from that blind professor is actually good luck for her."
"Besides, didn’t you say you met a younger student today? From what you said, he sounds like a decent person. If Eleanor Rhodes doesn’t mind that he’s younger, she could consider him."
???
This was the first time Vivian had ever heard Julian Faulkner say so much to her at once.
And—
The amount of information in his words was so overwhelming, Vivian could barely process it all!
’Getting away from the blind Henry Sterling is good luck for Eleanor Rhodes?’
’How did Julian Faulkner decide Henry Sterling was blind in just a few words?’
’Although his behavior today was a bit foolish and infatuated, I’ve known Henry Sterling for many years, and he has always been extremely rigorous in his academic work.’
’It’s only when Wendy Wynn is involved that he seems to lose his head.’
’I guess everyone has their kryptonite. He must really love Wendy Wynn to act like this.’
Also!
’The younger student is a good option, and Eleanor Rhodes could consider him?’
’Wait!’
When Vivian first heard Julian Faulkner suggest this, she thought it was a terrible idea. But on second thought, it actually sounded pretty good!
’The younger student is the "puppy-dog" type. He’s responsible, the captain of the Aethelburg University basketball team, and a good student, too—I heard he’s already been accepted into a graduate program.’
’His family’s financial situation might be a bit lacking, but he has a bright future. Most importantly, he’s a good person. He definitely won’t be like those scumbags who are just looking for a sugar mama, those shameless gold diggers.’
’The most crucial part is—’
’He’s young!’
Hehe.
Vivian smiled and said to Julian Faulkner in a conspiratorial tone, "President Faulkner, I’ve just realized, your analysis is incredibly incisive!"
Hearing Vivian’s praise, the tension in Julian Faulkner’s face softened at once. The corners of his mouth lifted, and he seemed a little pleased and proud.
Then, Vivian’s tone shifted. "But you said, ’if Tanya doesn’t mind that he’s younger.’ President Faulkner, that’s where you don’t get it."
"I don’t think a guy being a little younger is a problem at all. He’s the captain of the basketball team, so he must be in great shape. Young, full of energy... that’s great!"
"Those young ’puppy-dog’ types have great skin, definitely better than older guys! If I were her, I’d completely forget about Henry Sterling and go for the puppy-dog boyfriend!"
Vivian was quite excited talking about this.
’I once played a romance mobile game.’
’In it, there was a male lead who was a younger university student. But he wasn’t a "puppy-dog" type; he was a highly "aggressive" "wolf-pup" type—the very protective kind.’
’Being protected by a capable younger guy, who’s not happy that you’re older than him, but he can’t do anything about it... you get to tease him, and he has to grit his teeth and call you ’big sister’.
Hehe.
’Just thinking about that kind of "forced" scenario gave me a thrill!’
Just as she was lost in thought, she realized Julian Faulkner was no longer in his seat. He had stood up and was walking toward her, one step at a time.
??
Vivian suddenly noticed that Julian Faulkner’s expression was not good.
’He looked so pleased and happy just a moment ago. How did his face suddenly get as dark as the bottom of a pot?’
’Did I say something wrong just now?’
’I didn’t!’
’I was just helping Tanya analyze the situation. Wasn’t Julian Faulkner helping me, too?’
Watching Julian Faulkner get closer and closer, Vivian felt a little flustered. She scooted back on the sofa, swallowed hard, and looked up at him to ask, "President Faulkner, what are you doing?"
"Vivian Lowell."
Julian Faulkner was now standing right in front of her.
He looked down at her, the corners of his mouth turning cold. "What do you think I’m doing here? Why don’t you repeat what you just said?"
!!
’He... he seems angry?’