Chapter 18
“Oliver, Jessica called as she approached him.
The students nearly perked up immediately, their voices buzzing with gossip.
“Whoa, Jessica’s making her move!”
“Took her long enough–her boyfriend’s about to get stolen
“Stolen? Please. Oliver’s clearly all about Jessica. Nina doesn’t stand a chance.”
“You guys don’t get it–childhood sweethearts can’t compete with the mysterious new girl!”
Oliver knew exactly why Jessica had come over.
He swallowed the tight knot of frustration building in his chest but stood up anyway. “Let’s go,” he said curtly.
Without another word, the two walked out of the classroom together.
In the hallway, Oliver shoved his hands into his pockets, stealingja glance at Jessica. She was staring up at him, her eyes wide with eager anticipation, making him feel even more irritated.
We’ve got that week–long military training coming up,” he said flatly. “Clifford will be there?
“Really? Jessica’s face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. “How long will he be staying?”
“How should I know?” Oliver snapped.
Clifford’s missions were always classified. The only reason Oliver even knew Clifford would be on base was because their schedules happened to overlap–no need for secrecy there.
But Jessica didn’t care about the lack of details. Just knowing she’d get to be near Clifford was enough to make her giddy.
Her mind wandered back to the one and only time she’d seen him, at Oliver’s grandfather’s birthday banquet. They hadn’t even spoken, but Clifford’s composed, almost regal presence had left her completely captivated.
He had that kind of magnetism–effortless and impossible to ignore.
Oliver wasn’t bad, sure, but standing next to Clifford, the gap was obvious. Age, experience, and gravitas weren’t things Oliver could compete with.
“When we’re at training, do you think Clifford will come talk to you?” Jessica asked tentatively, her voice a mix of nerves and excitement. “Could you…. maybe introduce me?”
Oliver snorted. Her intentions were as clear as day.
“Let me save you some trouble, Jessica. Clifford’s not the kind of guy to fall for a little girl like experience, too much depth. And besides, he doesn’t care about women. I’ve known him my whole life, and I’ve never seen him give one the time of day:
you
He’s got
too much
Jessica, unfazed, lifted her chin defiantly.
“You don’t know that,” she said, “He’s 26 or 27, right? His family’s probably pressuring him to get married. He can’t dodge it forever.
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Chapter 18
Her confidence was unshaken She was young, beautiful, and came from a gooel family. She figured Clifford’s so–called disinterest in wonten just came from not loving mer meone like her yet
After all, Oliver adored her. Clifford was his uncle–how different could their tastes really he
“Oh, I see,” Oliver said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Jessica, you’re dead set on becoming my aunt, huh?”
Jessica smiled shamelessly. “Come on, Oliver. Just help me this one time. If Clifford really doesn’t like me. I’ll give up. 1 promise.”
Oliver stared at her, dumbfounded. Me? Set my girl up with my uncle? What kind of sick joke is that?‘ he thought, his mind
reeling
But then again, maybe this was for the best. If Clifford outright rejected her, she might finally drop this ridiculous infatuation.
“Fine.” he mattered. Tll set it up.
Jessica beamed. “Thank you. Oliver!”
With that, she skipped back to the classroom, leaving Oliver behind to wrestle with his frustration.
The thought of introducing Jessica to Clifford felt like a punch to the gut.
Just then, his phone buzzed.
was Lea, his father Wesley’s secretary.
Leo, Oliver said, answering the call. “Is it done?”
his face. Let’s Earber. Nina had dared him to get her kicked out of Lyceum. ‘Fine, Oliver thought, a smirk creeping acro see how far I’ll take this.
dut Leo’s hesitant tone instantly put him on edge.
“It’s not going well,” Leo admitted.
“What do you mean?” Oliver snapped.
“We spoke with Lyceum’s principal, but he won’t expel the girl, Nina, no matter what we offer–even when we threatened to pull funding.”
“What?” Oliver’s brow furrowed. “Who exactly is Nina?”
“She’s the daughter of Mr. Woods, head of the Woods family,” Leo explained. His late wife gave birth to her shortly before passing away. He pulled some strings to get her into Lyceum.”
Oliver frowned.
“So what if she’s a Woods? Does that mean the Snees can’t touch her?”
The Woods family was certainly influential, especially Jessica’s brothers. They were all .top–notch talents in their respective
fields.
However, the Snee family still held a higher social status
Why would the principal of Lyceum risk his position for the Woods!
Leo hesitated. “It seems that securing admissions like hers is a lucrative sideline for the school’s leadership. If we push too
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Chapter 18
So when he heard her training would take place near his base, he found an excuse to “inspect the area.
But Nina, in her typical bluntness, didn’t sugarcoat. “What’s the point of missing you? Missing you doesn’t get me anything. Why waste the energy?”
Clifford pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a soft groan.
“Clifford,” she said suddenly.
“Huh?” The silent man chuckled again..
“Can I hang up now?” she asked, her voice sincere. Talking to you is messing up my game.”
Clifford paused for a moment, stunned. Then he laughed quietly, the sound low and rich. “Fine. Go ahead, you little ingrate.
Before the words even finished, the call ended with a sharp click
seven
He stared at the dark screen, silent. ‘Ah. Perfect. She misses me when I’m useful, and forgets me when I’m not. A rueful smile tugged at his lips. What a mercenary little creature.”
Nearby, Clifford’s assistant Tyrone had witnessed the entire exchange. Internally, he couldn’t help but snicker. ‘Oh, these two
are a riot.‘
Here was Clifford Snee, the untouchable, commanding presence, scheming up ways to engineer a “coincidental meeting with Nina. Meanwhile, the girl herself couldn’t care less about his elaborate effort. Tyrone shook his head, suppressing a grin.
If anyone found out the mighty Mr. Snee was going to such lengths for a girl, it would be a scandal of epic proportions. ‘Nina, you truly are a piece of work. Absolutely ungrateful,’ he thought.
SEND GIFT
