Free Web NovelChapter 346: Chapter 344: They Are Here
Felix Sinclair had often thought about when, exactly, he had started to fall for Mia Grant.
He was drawn to her, started paying attention to her, not because of her beauty, and not because of her so-called "seduction."
Her seemingly unintentional, hot-and-cold advances—he only realized much later that this was her "strategy."
So none of that had ever worked on him.
Every time she came to find him after class, she would start with a bit of small talk, but she would quickly get into the zone.
Their conversations went from—
"Mr. Sinclair, sorry to bother you. Do you have a moment? I was wondering if there’s another way to solve this problem..."
"Yeah."
"Could you please explain it to me?"
"...Yeah."
To—
"Felix Sinclair! We’re running out of time! Quick, quick, quick! Right here, what was your approach?"
"...Are you free this weekend?"
"We can talk about that later. Focus on the problem! Class is about to start, we’re going to be late!"
In reality, she had hardly ever tried to "hook" him.
Back then, her mind was completely focused on her studies.
When they went to cafés, libraries, and study halls on the weekends, their conversations were limited to schoolwork.
She was a pine tree in the winter night, unyielding, its branches full of green needles.
Occasionally, when her grades weren’t what she wanted, her branches would bend briefly under the wind and snow.
But soon, she would quickly shake off the snow, run over to him with a spring in her step, and, under his concerned gaze, say defiantly, "I was careless this time. I’ll definitely beat you next time."
"You’ve been in first place for so long. It should be my turn next, right?"
"I’ll show you what it means for the student to surpass the master!"
"But let’s be clear, you’re not allowed to get mad. Worst case, I’ll buy you little cakes for a month."
"Oh, right. I know you already got early admission, so this kind of exam isn’t really necessary for you. But you don’t have to go easy on me. I’m your ’rival,’ so you have to respect me~"
He had always known. Her personality was far more captivating than her beauty.
That weekend, Mia Grant went to her doctor’s appointment as planned.
She got up bright and early. Instead of taking a taxi, she took the subway and then transferred to a bus, a two-hour journey before she finally arrived at the doctor’s office.
Yates Donovan had told her the appointment was at 10:30 AM, so she didn’t need to get up too early.
Mia Grant arrived downstairs, looked at the closed main door, and then at the time on her phone.
9:30.
An hour to go.
She glanced around and saw a convenience store across the street.
She hadn’t eaten breakfast yet, so she went in and bought a strawberry pastry. She had originally planned on getting a bottle of milk to go with it but switched to coffee to wake herself up.
After spending half an hour in the convenience store, she saw figures moving on the ground floor of the office across the street and pushed the door open to leave.
The glass door was pushed open from the outside, and a crisp bell chimed. The receptionist looked up and smiled slightly upon seeing Mia Grant. "Are you Miss Grant?"
"Yes, I am." Mia Grant nodded. "Am I too early? I’m sorry to bother you."
"Not at all," the receptionist smiled. "We opened at nine. I actually saw you outside earlier and was about to invite you in to wait, but then I saw you go into the convenience store."
"Mhm, I was just getting some breakfast."
"Has Dr. Quinlan arrived yet?"
"Dr. Quinlan is on the way. The traffic is a bit heavy today since it’s the weekend."
"You can wait upstairs."
"This way, please."
The receptionist led her upstairs, asking as they walked, "Would you like something to drink? Coffee or tea?"
Mia Grant held up the instant coffee in her hand and smiled. "I’ve still got this."
The receptionist laughed too. "That brand of coffee is pretty good. Looks like a new flavor?"
"I think so? It tastes all right, just a little sweet."
As they spoke, they reached the second-floor landing.
The receptionist gestured. "This way."
"Okay, I can wait by myself. You can get back to your work."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Mia Grant looked up at the reception area across from her.
Her eyes suddenly met two pairs of gazes, and the smile on her face froze.
The receptionist didn’t notice her reaction and nodded. "Alright, then. Just let me know if you need anything."
The sound of high heels faded into the distance until it was gone. Only then did Mia Grant come back to her senses.
She frowned slightly, seeming unable to comprehend why these two people were here right now.
Silas Grant was the first to speak.
"Come and sit. The egg sandwich is still warm."
There was an insulated bag next to him, and Mia Grant felt as if she could smell the aroma right through it.
Mia Grant pressed her lips together and didn’t answer him. Her gaze shifted to the person sitting across from him.
The other man smiled and waved at her.
"..."
Mia Grant opened her phone and glanced at last night’s chat log.
Fish: [Address]
[You can get there by 10:30. Don’t get up too early. It’s cold in the morning, bring a jacket.]
[Should I call a car for you?]
Kitty: [No no, I’ll get a taxi myself, it’s easy. You don’t have to come with me.]
Fish: [Okay, let me know when you get there.]
Mia: [Okay.]
And now—
One had promised her he wouldn’t come, and the other had never mentioned he was coming.
She stood rooted to the spot, not moving closer. Instead, she quieted herself and took a moment to examine her own emotions.
Strangely, she didn’t feel angry or annoyed.
The thread of anxiety she’d felt before coming in seemed to have been temporarily soothed.
When she realized this, Mia Grant was surprised at herself.
’So, I was scared.’
After a moment, she took a step forward and sat down in a folding chair.
She naturally took the food container Silas Grant handed her. She looked inside; there was a wide variety of breakfast items, and they all looked delicious.
Unfortunately, she had no appetite.
"I just ate a pastry from across the street, so I’m not very hungry."
Hesitantly, Mia Grant picked up a cup of hot milk next to it.
Now she was glad she had bought coffee earlier.
After taking a sip, her eyes wandered between the two men. She couldn’t help but ask, "Did you... plan to come here together?"
"No."
It was Silas Grant who answered.
Yates Donovan smiled and shrugged. "He was already here when I arrived."
"When did you two get here? Just now?"
"More or less," Yates Donovan said.
Mia Grant looked at him without speaking, clearly wanting a more precise time.
Only then did Yates Donovan say, "I got here at nine."
Mia Grant was surprised that he had arrived even earlier than she had.
Then she remembered what Yates Donovan had just said: when he arrived, Silas Grant was already there...
She glanced sideways at Silas Grant, her expression unreadable.
He met her gaze, the corner of his lip ticking up in a slight smile.
She knew that after they last parted, Silas Grant had returned to Portia.
He was busy with work, and his business trips were strictly limited to five days. It was impossible that he had been staying in Jynsia ever since he picked her up from the hospital.
From the looks of it, he must have caught the first flight over this morning.
Mia Grant’s heart stirred. She tightened her grip on the milk and said after a long moment, "You two don’t have to be so nervous. I think I’m doing okay."
She had deliberated for a long time, but when she finally spoke, it was to reassure them...
