Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 55

Before she could even respond, Nathan had hung up. The old man was just a bit grumpy and his vocabulary a little colorful; did Nathan really have to make him sound like a monster?

Thinking of her teacher’s endearing quirks, Lillian couldn’t help but smile. But the smile vanished as quickly as it appeared. She was ashamed to face him.

Thomas Avery’s lecture was scheduled for the afternoon, but from the moment news of his arrival spread, the entire industry was abuzz. Those without tickets were desperately calling in favors. This wasn’t like a concert where money could buy you a seat.

The tickets were free, but possession of one was a symbol of status—it meant you were an industry elite, a corporate leader, or a titan among titans. The only others granted entry were the absolute top students from Ardenwell University. No one paid for a ticket, but each one represented a significant measure of power and influence.

Lillian stared at her computer, lost in thought for a moment, before forcing her focus back to her work.

The company would have someone record Professor Avery’s lecture; she could always watch the video later. As for her teacher, she would wait until she had some accomplishments to her name before seeing him again.

Having made her decision, Lillian’s fingers began to fly across the keyboard.

Leonard brought her lunch to her room. After moving into Crowncrest Heights, Lillian had settled into the other vacant half of the penthouse suite where Leonard lived. The space was enormous; even as just half a floor, it was over two thousand square feet. The master bedroom had been specially modified. It looked like a normal bedroom, but a push on a wall-colored door revealed a fully equipped medical room of about four or five hundred square feet inside. The master suite also had an attached bathroom and a walk-in closet, though the closet was completely empty. Lillian only owned three outfits, all of which were still packed in her luggage.

There was also a large study, which was perfect for her needs. The suite opened into a large tea room that separated her living quarters from Leonard’s, connecting the two suites while keeping them independent.

Leonard delivered the food, reminded her to eat on time, and then left. His respect for her boundaries made living there much more comfortable.

Just before Professor Avery's lecture began that afternoon, she received a message from Nathan.

Nathan: Li, take care of yourself. I really can’t help you this time!

——

Outside the lecture hall, a crowd was milling about. Sebastian and Bella, accompanied by Brandon and Colin, used a special access channel, earning envious glances from the CEOs and elites stuck in the main queue.

Brandon was effusive in his gratitude. “Thanks to Sebastian, otherwise we’d be stuck in that crowd with everyone else. Thank you so much.”

“Hardly compares to you, Bella,” he replied. “Project lead, with a string of successes these past two years. I’m truly envious.”

“Don’t be modest,” Bella said. “You’re the one working with Professor Avery. That’s what everyone is envious of. You must be reviewing a lot of projects now that you’re back. Don’t forget about me.”

The young man chuckled. “I just got lucky. Back in the day, we both had our sights set on being Professor Avery’s graduate students, but I didn’t make the cut. It became a bit of an obsession. I couldn't get in for my master’s, so I tried for his doctorate. Still couldn’t get in. Finally, I just decided to work for him, carrying his bags. I guess you could say I fulfilled my dream in a way.”

Standing nearby, Brandon wished the ground would swallow him whole. His attempt at flattery had completely backfired. So, Bella had also tried and failed to get into Professor Avery’s graduate program. Suddenly, Professor Avery’s prestige skyrocketed in Brandon’s mind. This man was a true heavyweight.

Bella didn’t seem angry. Instead, she turned to Brandon and said with a magnanimous smile, “See, Brandon? Now you understand how incredible Professor Avery is. I was just one of the many he rejected.”

Her smile was so graceful and composed it was as if her earlier awkwardness had never happened. Brandon managed a sheepish grin as Bella introduced their respective parties. Sebastian was a famous figure, and the young man was clearly pleased to meet him, which reflected well on Bella. After all, she was always the woman by Sebastian’s side at any important event.

As they took their seats, Bella’s acquaintance even teased her, “Bella, you and Mr. Blake must have good news to share soon, right?”