Dad is indeed anticipating going on the business trip this time, for he can’t wait to escape this place. As far as John knew, Matilda seemed to be calling and texting William frequently these days, bugging him with invitations to have a meal together and requests to meet up. And Mom isn’t the kind of person who beats around the bush, so she’s very straightforward, declaring that she wants to make up with him.
I’m not all that certain what Dad thinks of it all, but he definitely has no plans to start over with Mom right now. However, he can never be assertive and resolute with her, so he can’t bring himself to refuse her, yet he’s reluctant to agree. Hence, he can’t wait to leave this place so that he can take a breather. The corners of his mouth curving upward, he noted, “Dad probably thinks that the collaborative partner this time is promising, so he wants to go over and assess the situation.”
On second thought, I’m quite impressed with Mom. Zack said that one must be aggressive, and she’s putting this term into practice extremely well.
After a while, Lady Jennifer changed the subject and shifted the focus back on Dylan once again. She said that she’d pondered it for a long time, yet she just couldn’t figure out who Dylan meant when he said he had someone whom he liked. After all, his social circle was limited, and he was very much like John, having no pastime save going to the office. Thus, she truly had no inkling of any lady he’d ever associated with and developed feelings for at that.
Old Mrs. Constance was likewise at a loss, so she asked her whether he often mentioned any one of the ladies she introduced to him recently, thinking that it might be one of those ladies.
However, Lady Jennifer shook her head. “No. He seems very averse toward the ladies I introduced to him, asserting that he has no interest in her every time he comes back from a blind date. Furthermore, if he truly likes one of them, there’s no reason for him to keep it a secret. But for this girl he claims to like now, he’s keeping it under wraps, allowing no one to know her identity. I think her background must be substandard, so he’s afraid that we’ll oppose.”
After mulling it over for a while, Old Mrs. Constance felt that it made sense, and she sighed. “Actually, the younger generation should be allowed to live their own lives. We shouldn’t interfere too much lest they blame us at the end of the day.”
At this, Lady Jennifer cast John a glance, assuming that she was alluding to John’s predicament. John’s marriage to Sophia was the result of familial interference, and now, it had ended in divorce. While he hasn’t openly blamed anyone, I’m sure he’s feeling slightly resentful at least. Hence, she nodded symbolically. “You’re right, Mom.”
John, on the other hand, didn’t associate it to his circumstances. Instead, Sophia came to mind. She’s obviously livid when I was at her house earlier. I wonder whether she took my words to heart. He initially thought of many strategies, even ones gentler than the one he used today. Before she came home, I even contemplated how I was going to persuade her into having a peaceful discussion with me, but when I saw her hopping mad, every thought I had scattered. As soon as I opened my mouth, those warnings and threats just rushed out. He inwardly smacked his lips, wondering whether his strategy this time would work.
Lady Jennifer was still very much curious about the girl Dylan referred to. Since Old Mrs. Constance couldn’t figure out anything as well, she turned to John. “John, as you spend more time with Dylan since you even see him in the office, have you ever heard him inadvertently mentioning any woman whom you think he possibly likes?”
John froze. Dylan and I actually don’t spend that much time together. Despite us both being in the office, our interactions were all related to work. Besides work, when it comes to everyday life…
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