The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 33

33 Chapter 33 Perfect Timing Professor Reese

33 Chapter 33 Perfect Timing Professor Reese

Blanche’s POV 1

Aiden rarely uttered the word “please.”

After I answered his question, he used exactly that word.

He didn’t even care that I wasn’t officially his student.

For Aiden, talent trumped everything else.

But while I basked in my brief moment of recognition, Joanna’s emotions boiled over.

Joanna’s feelings weren’t just envy–pure jealousy consumed her.

She had busted her ass to secure a spot in Aiden’s PhD program, yet Aiden had never once praised her work.

Criticism was all she ever received.

But Blanche earned a compliment on her very first day in the classroom.

The realization soured Joanna’s mood completely.

Being upstaged by Blanche was the last thing Joanna could tolerate.

She reasoned with herself, ‘Blanche never even attended grad school. She’s nowhere near my level.

That little compliment means nothing.

‘Demetrius was collaborating with her, so those were probably all his ideas anyway.

‘Seriously, a woman who’s been playing housewife for years suddenly develops that kind of theoretical insight?

‘Not buying it for a second.

This line of thinking restored Joanna’s confidence,

When the lecture wrapped up and Aiden exited the room, Demetrius and I walked out together.

We’d barely reached the first floor when someone shouted, “Blanche, Demetrius, hold up.”

We spun around to find Aiden himself approaching.

Years had etched deep lines across his face, but his passion for medicine still blazed in his eyes.

He’d devoted most of his existence to the field.

At his age, when retirement beckoned, he continued teaching.

Marriage and children had never tempted him–medicine remained his sole devotion.

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33 Chapter 33 Perfect Timing Professor Reese

“Professor Reese,” Demetrius and I said simultaneously.

We stood there respectfully, waiting for Aiden to continue.

Aiden approached me with a genuine smile. “Blanche, where are you currently employed?”

I felt my cheeks flush. “Professor, I’m not working anywhere impressive.”

Aiden laughed softly before asking, “May I inquire about your advisor?”

Embarrassment made me lower my gaze. “I’m not enrolled in a PhD program. I’m already working.”

Aiden’s voice carried a hint of disappointment. “I see. Which department?”

“Pediatric surgery.”

“Ah. That’s quite challenging, isn’t it?”

I managed a weak smile. “It gets easier with time.”

Truth was, I hadn’t gotten many opportunities to operate yet.

I couldn’t stop thinking–if I hadn’t gotten sidetracked by marriage back then, maybe I’d be where Demetrius was now, performing complex surgeries.

But then I dismissed that thought. Demetrius operated on a different level entirely, handling only the most challenging brain surgeries.

Even if I worked my entire career, I probably wouldn’t reach his skill level.

Cup in hand, Aiden maintained his smile.

“Have you ever considered pursuing a doctorate?”

My heart raced with excitement. “I—”

But before I could complete my sentence, Joanna appeared from nowhere and interrupted, “Professor Reese. Perfect timing, you’re still here. I have several questions for you. Is now convenient?”

Aiden turned toward the voice, spotting Joanna and Zain. His eyebrows drew together. He obviously wasn’t pleased, but still replied, “Certainly”

The response came out cold, lacking any warmth.

Joanna pressed, “Could we speak privately?”

Aiden nodded curtly. “Fine.”

With that, he moved toward Joanna.

Growing anxious, Demetrius looked ready to protest, but I grabbed his arm. “Demetrius, drop it. I never even attended grad school. How could I possibly qualify for Professor Reese’s PhD program?”

Demetrius’s tone turned forceful, “Blanche, you’re every bit as capable as anyone here. You just took a detour back then. The best time to

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plant a tree was long ago; the second best time is now. Professor Reese clearly recognizes your potential. Are you really going to let this

opportunity slip away?”

I kept my eyes down, uncertain how to respond to Demetrius.

Demetrius gripped my arm, still attempting to convince me.

Zain’s POV

Not far away, I stood alone, waiting for Joanna to finish her discussion with Aiden.

I was responding to work texts while keeping tabs on Demetrius and Blanche.

I couldn’t catch their words, but I noticed Demetrius’s agitation and Blanche’s tears.

I simply observed the scene silently.

Meanwhile, Drew’s words echoed in my mind.

I wondered, ‘If they’re truly just friends, why is Demetrius gripping her arm like that? And they’re standing so close together. It looks like

he’s about to embrace her or kiss her.‘

Blanche’s POV

I had no clue Zain was standing right behind us.

Looking at Demetrius, I said earnestly, “I know you brought me to this lecture intentionally, and I’m truly thankful for that. But I’m not certain I’m prepared to begin again. I don’t even know if I still possess the ability.”

I’d always mourned not pursuing advanced studies, but the prospect of starting over terrified me.

Demetrius didn’t pressure me further. He simply reached up and wiped away my tears. “It’s fine even if you don’t continue studying.

Nothing will change.”

I nodded. “Right. Let’s leave.”

“Okay, Demetrius agreed.

We began walking away together, but just then, Zain called out unexpectedly, “Blanche.”

Zain had been observing us for some time, and he still couldn’t identify what he was experiencing.

I was his wife, yet I was intimate with another man.

He’d be dishonest if he claimed it didn’t disturb him.

But it wasn’t the type of rage that made him want to storm over and punch Demetrius either.

Still, he called my name. Perhaps because he wanted to say something, though he wasn’t sure what that might be.

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33 Chapter 33 Perfect Timing Professor Reese

I froze when I heard Zain’s voice. I glanced at Demetrius, considered for a moment, then said, “Why don’t you go on ahead? I need to

speak with Zain.”

Demetrius didn’t understand what I intended to discuss, but since we’d been married before, it wasn’t his position to interfere. He

simply nodded and departed.

Once Demetrius left, I approached Zain and said, “Let’s discuss Carry’s behavior at school.”

Zain squinted, looking puzzled. “What?”

Just from his expression, I realized he hadn’t heard anything about it.

The teacher had contacted Joanna exclusively, not him.

I said, “Carry’s becoming spoiled and controlling. You can’t keep ignoring it. As her father, you have every right to discipline her

properly.”

Zain hadn’t known about the bullying incident, and all he heard were accusations. He shot back, “Aren’t you her mother? Don’t you share

that responsibility?”

I didn’t want an argument. My voice remained steady as I responded, “If she considered me her mother, I wouldn’t be having this

conversation with you.”

Zain’s thoughts immediately jumped to the parent–child event I had missed.

“Maybe you should examine why Carry treats you that way,” he fired back.

I met his gaze, responding, “I’ve fulfilled my duties as a mother.”

Zain scoffed, “If you believe Carry misbehaves, you should correct her. In my opinion, Carry has always been a wonderful child.”

My temper exploded. “You’re being absurd, Zain. What, are you planning to let strangers discipline her once she’s out in the real world?”

Zain bristled. “She’s my daughter. I’ll defend her.”

I snapped, “That’s not defending her. That’s spoiling her completely. Don’t you get it?”

“Is that right?” he sneered.

I was seething with rage. I shot back, “Maybe you should ask Joanna what your precious daughter did at school.”

After that, I simply spun around and stormed off without looking back.

I’d failed to make him see reason, and my patience had completely evaporated.

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