"If you knew how to treat a girlfriend, would someone reject you after only a couple of encounters?" Madam Sinclair teased, making no attempt to conceal it. Her son had always been straightforward in these matters, and she was aware of Milo Sinclair's relationship with Shea Thorne.
After all, her son blatantly took her to private gatherings, and the name Mrs. Sinclair was almost overshadowing Shea. Yet, last night, he came home overnight.
In the morning, they knew the girl wasn't necessarily willing, and they were deliberately waiting for him to say something. Instead of considering how to persist and impress her to win her back, he decided to go to Wellings University to study psychology.
Madam Sinclair couldn't help but sigh—having a son who loves studying isn't always a good thing.
"Milo, have you considered the feelings of the girl herself? Generally speaking, being an adult man, some actions towards a girl with too big an age gap might be too aggressive," Madam Sinclair tested. She had two sons; the older one loved reading since childhood, only showed interest in books, and didn't go anywhere as long as there was a desk at home. The younger also loved reading, but was more fond of travel, preferring to go everywhere but home.
"Young girls love romance. If you skip those steps and directly define your relationship, the girl might think you have ulterior motives." Maybe he directly let her live with him.
"Yeah, at a romantic age, sometimes sending flowers is more useful than sending houses or cars," Mr. Sinclair chimed in, reminiscing about the wildflowers under the apricot tree in his wife's earlier years, which were more appealing than buying a house or car.
Milo, this kid, was charming since childhood; all the seniors he met tried to set up arranged marriages for him. As he grew up and studied, he received so many love letters and chocolates, but as parents, they didn't interfere, and he remained unmoved.
His first relationship was in college when he seriously pursued a girl. Sadly, the girl disliked long-distance relationships due to him studying abroad, ultimately breaking up despite everything.
She feared her son was affected by the previous experience, directly using money to win over the next girl, lacking heartfelt effort and finding it counterproductive.
Milo understood what his mom was thinking, but over the years, he had been treating Shea Thorne with the utmost gentleness, with no hint of being overly serious.
Moreover, she didn't seem frightened, instead appeared heartbroken.
Could it be that he was too impatient? Not sincere enough?
"Mom, don't you think it's a bit late for both of you to say these things now? When I was sixteen, the two of you peeked at my love letters, and Dad even gave me a box of condoms, telling me not to treat the girl poorly, without mentioning anything about attitude." Milo was exasperated—why are they so involved now?
If he hadn't been uninterested in women at the time, he might not be the "youngest associate administrator" at Sinclair Hospital now, but the "most flirtatious associate administrator."
"That's because your mom and I never thought you'd still be single at thirty," Mr. Sinclair sighed. Back then, girls liked him, and he thought his son's character would assure these matters were sorted.
Who would have expected that he'd single-handedly remain alone all these years, scaring off anyone who came close?
Milo realized his parents thought he was spoiled by girls and couldn't conduct a relationship, so they were giving him belated relationship advice.
"Dad, whether a subject is worth a lifetime study isn't determined by its difficulty. I first need to evaluate if the subject is in a suitable state for study. If it's not mature, it won't generate a positive cycle," Milo refrained from speaking too plainly—Shea Thorne isn't in a suitable state for dating; she needs professional guidance.
Otherwise, her condition could deteriorate, leading to multiple personality disorders, becoming her greatest harm.
He wanted to study psychology, hoping to help Shea Thorne if she needed him.
He wasn't a teenager with an unstable character, vengeful after rejection. Feeling upset is human nature; it doesn't imply switching targets.
"That's good then."
A family of medical professionals could understand Milo's intentions, so Madam Sinclair immediately suggested, "Do you remember Uncle Yardley from Port Valen? His daughter Candy loved following you around when she was little."
Milo naturally remembered—the business giant Chairman Yardley of Solara Group. He followed his mom to help Chairman Yardley's wife with pregnancy, and his mom personally delivered Chairman Yardley's second daughter.
His youngest daughter, Skye Yardley, was showered with affection from a young age, naturally pampered and spoiled. As a child, fearless, she dared provoke everyone. She even tore his books to shreds and chased his brother Cecilia Sinclair, with no one daring to resist.
No one dared provoke the little princess Skye Yardley, except her mom Michelle Morgan; Skye was naturally arrogant and fearless.
"I remember. Why?" Skye Yardley was twelve years younger, surely not trying to set up a blind date?
"She took her exam for the National Academy of Fine Arts this year. The Yardley Family specifically called your dad, hoping you could watch over her," Madam Sinclair didn't hide anything, directly stating, "We don't interfere with your love life, but as a board member family, we can't neglect Candy. Take this opportunity to look after her while you aren't seeing anyone."
In the future, once you have a girlfriend, naturally boundaries will be set, and the Yardley Family won't have anything to say.
Candy—Milo recalled the little princess from memory. She inherited her artistic talent from her mother, Professor Morgan, winning numerous painting awards since childhood, even earning international painting competition titles at a young age.
Unbelievable that the little girl is now off to university.
"Got it, mom." Milo nodded.
...
"Ariana? Ariana? Ariana Thorne?!"
The dream kept repeating—Shea Thorne stood on a path in the dream, watching Miles Crawford cycle away at the road's end, until someone called her name from behind, and Ariana Thorne turned around.
Following the voice, Shea Thorne awoke from the dream, seeing the dormitory ceiling lamp. Her throat felt dry and uncomfortable; she wanted to get up for some water, but her hand couldn't move.
"Are you okay? We're going out for lunch; what would you like to eat?" Sharon Somerset and the others leaned by her bed asking, "You seem to have a fever; should we get you some medicine?"
A fever? No wonder she felt like she was burning all over, her joints unable to move, as if pinned by nails.
"There's fever medicine in the drawer. Can you pour me some water?" Shea Thorne recalled Ariana Thorne had prepared many medicines for Miles Crawford, worried he might need it for headaches or fevers, though bringing them over never happened after her crossing.
Really silly; Miles Crawford is a doctor—how could he not have medicines on hand?
Rhonda Ford poured some water, helped Shea Thorne take the medicine, and lay back down. Last night, the lake water was filthy and cold; even thinking about it made her feel nauseous.
"We've gotten coupons to eat out; if there's anything you want, call us, and we'll bring it back for you," Farah Hale said, reminding Shea Thorne to rest well as the dorm remained quiet for her.
Once quiet settled, Shea Thorne dozed off again.
This time, the dream's environment shifted to a frighteningly dark corner. The assailant had just left, and she curled herself up in the corner, her body aching so much she wished to die.
Her phone was broken; she wasn't sure if they had taken it. Shea Thorne glanced around the dark corner, luckily spotting her severely damaged phone in one corner.
Her clothes had long been torn to pieces, leaving her barely clad, inching towards her phone bit by bit. When hearing occasional passerby voices, she shrank back into the darkness.
After many attempts, she finally grasped her phone.
Luckily, it still worked.