The Divorce Prescription (Celina and Adam) novel Chapter 512

James smiled. "I'm serious, but I still stand by my point. You should talk to Declan first and find out if he's even open to the idea. He might not want to be your tutor, or maybe he has no interest in running a company at all."

"Dad, what are you really getting at?"

"Maybe Declan has already chosen a path that's risky and uncertain. He might not be able to settle down, and he might not be in a position to offer you the stable future you deserve."

James had personally recruited Declan after recognizing his potential. But after entering university, Declan started skipping classes. Concerned about wasting such talent, James had reached out to him multiple times.

With his connections and influence, he could have guided Declan toward a successful career in academia or business. Declan was brilliant—he would have excelled in either path.

But Declan had refused. And at that moment, James understood that Declan had already chosen a different road, one far from the future James had envisioned for him.

Meanwhile, Hailey was the cherished youngest daughter of the Lambert family, raised in comfort and protected from hardship. She wasn't suited for someone like Declan.

Yet Hailey didn't seem to grasp what her father was implying. "Dad, no matter what, don't try to stop me from being with Declan. I really like him."

James sighed. After a brief pause, he suddenly asked, "What about Ewan?"

"Dad, why are you even bringing him up? He never liked me! And besides, he's too busy messing around with Melody."

James chuckled but said nothing. Maybe Ewan hadn't liked Hailey before, but who was to say how he felt now?

Hailey linked her arm through James'. "Dad, I know you just want what's best for me, but I need to make my own choices. Right now, I really like Declan. I just want to be with him."

James gently tapped her forehead. "Maybe you should wait until Declan actually wants to be with you."

Hailey was taken aback.

Her father's words resonated deeply. Here she was, talking about her future with him, yet she had no idea how Declan truly felt.

Determined, she pulled out her phone and opened WhatsApp.

"Declan, have you made it home yet?" she typed.

At that very moment, Declan was speeding down the road on his motorcycle.

Despite this, Declan didn't respond to a single one.

His motorcycle wove through the neon-lit streets, and as he glanced up, his gaze fell on the luxury car ahead of him. He knew James and Hailey were inside. The car's license plate was a symbol of the exclusive Lambert family. He had been following them since they left the hospital.

Hailey was right there, just ahead of him.

She had asked if he liked her.

How could he not?

She was radiant, innocent, and impossibly passionate. No matter how hard he tried to keep his distance, she always managed to break through, shining into his life like the sun.

Pamela and Aileen adored her as well.

Who could resist a charming, stunning young lady from such a prestigious family?

But despite everything, Declan couldn't help but feel like he had nothing to offer her. It was as though... he wasn't worthy of her.