Free Web NovelChapter 9: First Rebate
The moment Olivia saw Liam, memories of yesterday’s awkward scene flooded back. Many students were now gossiping about how delusional she was.
He had actually done something a normal person wouldn’t do. Olivia still felt a sharp sting of irritation and embarrassment.
After following Victoria to the entrance of the Grand Regent Hotel, she asked in an annoyed tone, "Liam, what are you doing here?"
She had originally looked down on him and only strung him along for amusement. But now, she felt deep aversion toward him.
Given his single-parent family background, she would never consider him in her life. Damien’s actions were merely within her own considerations, nothing more.
"Olivia, how can you talk to your classmate like that?"Standing nearby, Victoria gently corrected her daughter’s attitude.
Olivia turned her head away, clearly unwilling to speak with Liam any further. She felt there was absolutely nothing about him that interested her anymore.
The clown who once provided her with emotional value and a sense of accomplishment had now become repulsive after yesterday’s events.
Watching Olivia’s retreating figure, Victoria felt somewhat helpless. Her daughter was growing older, and managing her was becoming increasingly difficult.
"Liam, what are you doing here?"
Victoria remembered what Liam had said yesterday about them being destined to meet. Unexpectedly, they had crossed paths again so soon.
"Victoria, I did some programming work on a project for someone before. After contacting him, he told me to come here to collect my payment."
According to the system prompts, all he needed to do was come here and find the right person to collect the money. Liam spoke with calm confidence, his mind already calculating the next steps.
"Project? What project?"Victoria felt somewhat curious."Computer programming."
After Liam said those words, Victoria’s impression of him dropped sharply.
She had previously thought he liked her because he came from a single-parent family, lacked love, and harbored some adolescent fantasies. In her mind, he had been a pitiful but honest child.
But now it seemed he was not only naive but also quite cunning. Why had he claimed yesterday that they were destined to meet?
He must have known she would be coming to the Grand Regent Hotel today and deliberately showed up, pretending it was fate. His talk about computer programming sounded like a childish lie.
A student from a second-tier university could barely manage his own studies, let alone handle complex programming tasks. Such a lame excuse was no different from what a ten-year-old would come up with.
If he was going to be this annoying, there was no need to even give him the cold shoulder. She could simply refuse him outright.
Liam also sensed the shift in Victoria’s eyes. Indeed, what he said sounded outrageous, and no normal person would believe it, yet it was the truth. He remained composed, already planning how to prove his value later.
At that moment, an Audi A6 pulled up smoothly behind them at the entrance. Damien got out of the passenger seat first.
A beautiful mature woman with a slightly plump yet perfectly proportioned figure stepped out from the driver’s seat. She wore a fitted black business suit that hugged her alluring curves.
Her figure strained noticeably against the fabric of her blouse, full and eye-catching, while her shapely legs were elegantly wrapped in sheer flesh-colored stockings that accentuated every smooth contour under the short skirt.
The combination of her hips, toned thighs, and confident stride gave off an irresistible mature charm that made heads turn.
Though she appeared around early thirties, her body radiated a ripe, seductive femininity that stirred something deep and primal in Liam. He felt his pulse quicken as he took in the sight. This was a woman whose presence commanded attention without even trying.
This woman seemed vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t place her right away. Then it clicked. She was Damien’s mother, Claire.
No wonder Damien was good looking.
Damien’s expression turned unpleasant the moment he saw Liam. Young people were generally fearless and rarely hid their emotions.
He had fought with Liam before and disliked him intensely. Now that dislike burned even stronger. What was this kid doing here?
Claire stepped forward and greeted Victoria warmly.Victoria, your daughter is so beautiful. I wish she could be my daughter-in-law someday.
Victoria laughed it off. "You’ll have to get your son to work harder. There’s nothing I can do if she doesn’t agree."
Then Claire also noticed Liam standing next to Victoria."Victoria, is this your nephew or your cousin?"
Claire speculated that this young man must be related to Victoria. Otherwise, why would he stand so close to her?
"No, this is my daughter’s classmate, Liam."
Upon hearing the name Liam, Claire became interested. Looking at him, she rememberd her son talking with his friends about Liam but he really wanting to hang out with Victoria, was basically hopeless.
Victoria had very high standards and only looked favorably upon handsome or highly successful men.
This boy was of average height and looks, so Victoria definitely wouldn’t be interested. As for career prospects, an 18-year-old fresh out of high school had none. Their only advantage was youth.
However, a relationship with a 18-year age gap came with too many problems. An 18-year-old boy dating a 36-year-old woman, holding hands, kissing, and more, it didn’t seem realistic no matter how you looked at it. One could only say this kid had commendable courage.
"So this is Liam, the guy who... You’re a very brave young man." She just ended it there to avoid making things awkward.
Victoria was surprised. ’Why did this woman try to bring that up? Could Damien have told her? This would likely remain gossip in their circles for a long time.’
"Stop talking nonsense. It’s almost time. Let’s go inside. Everyone is basically here."
Claire waved at Liam. "Well then, Liam, we’re off now. Good luck! I wish you luck."
Victoria just left without saying a word, her impression of Liam had declined significantly.
She increasingly felt he had simply wanted a much older woman to fulfill his youthful fantasies.
To this end, he had even resorted to childish tactics to pretend they were destined.
Liam nodded slightly with calm composure. He had just checked, and the contact had not arrived yet.
