Chapter 197


    Chapter 197 Are They Sharing A Bed?


    Eileen was pulled by him to the door just as the teacher arrived for Uprian ss. “Elm, isn’t i time to


    come into the ssroom for Uprian ss?”


    “Mind your own business.” Elm was also surprised by his own anger.


    The Uprian teacher wanted to express her displeasure but didn’t dare to do so. Holding at book, she


    walked straight into the ssroom.


    Elm was notorious for his fiery temper, butpared to the past, it had significantly improved.


    Eileen had nothing much to say. “Whatever it is, let’s talk after this. I need to go attend ss


    now.”


    Elin held her tightly, making it impossible for Eileen to leave. With a swift move, he flung Eileen against


    the wall, his other hand pressing against it. Lowering his gaze to meet hers, asked, “What did you


    mean by what you said to that fool?”


    Eileen slightly furrowed her beautiful brows. “She has a name, Elm. Please respect her.”


    Elm chuckled and nodded. “Fine, Natalie!” A hint of impatience was already showing in 1


    eyes.


    “Why should you be the one to tutor her?”


    Eileen didn’t want to waste too much time with him. The teacher had already entered the ssroom,


    while their current status and posture could easily lead to misunderstandings.


    She pushed him away, her expression cool and detached as she said, “She is my… friend.”


    In the midst of their conversation, an image unconsciously surfaced in her mind. Natalie was smiling at


    her, following behind her, and calling her name.


    you


    want to be in a rtionship, I have no objections. From now on, I’ll take Natalie to the library every day


    for tutoring. Whether you choose toe or not is entirely up to you. Your current academic


    performance is already sufficient. Even if you doe with Calliope, I won’t object, but I can only tutor


    you. I’m under no obligation to help her. If there’s something she doesn’t understand, it would be best if


    you teach her yourself. At the same time… I hope that we won’t waste each other’s time. I’ve only


    agreed to tutor you, to help you. get into a good university. As for the rest… you’ll have to take care of it


    yourself.”


    Elm looked at her serious demeanor, trying to discern something from the depths of her eyes. However,


    he saw nothing. It was as if a dimly lit oilmp previously was suddenly


    extinguished by a gust of wind.


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    As for his drunken confession to her that night, Eileen didn’t know whether it was a prank or his


    genuine feelings.


    Regardless of what they were, it was impossible for them to be together.


    That was why she didn’t want to give him any false hope.


    Nevertheless, she didn’t want to give him the cold shoulder either, as they could both still be friends.


    What was certain was that they would never be lovers.


    Elm’s promiscuity simply reminded her of a second Eric, and she had always been a person who


    perpetuallycked a sense of security.


    With that. Eileen returned to the ssroom and began her lesson.


    After the morning sses, the news spread throughout ss Two that on the contact book that Eileen


    gave to Natalie. Jasper’s name was written on it. Right beside it, he left a line of poetry: “Patience for


    the clouds to clear will be rewarded with blooming flowers. Yours, Jasper.”


    It was Jasper’s encouragement to her. The beautifully written poem encouraged her to persevere, as


    better days would eventuallye.


    Counting down the days, she realized Jasper would not be back for another three days.


    Just before the end of school, Eileen was packing up her things when Vera brought over a bottle of milk


    and ced it in front of her abruptly. “Congrattions! We can go to the Olympiad Math ss together


    again”


    Eileen said a word of thanks, then epted the milk.


    Vera nced at her ringing phone and said, “Eric ising to pick me up, so I’ll be heading back first.”


    “Alright.”


    “Goodbye.” Vera waved at her.


    After seeing her leave, Eileen finished packing her bag. She wanted to sit for a while before leaving, as


    she didn’t want to see him.


    These days, she had been avoiding him whenever she could.


    After waiting for fifteen minutes, Eileen finally left and got into the Smith family’s private


    car. When she turned on her phone, several messages from Jasper popped up.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


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    Eileen was about to reply when her phone suddenly rang. Filled with anxiety, she answered it, “Father.”


    It was a call from Will.


    “I heard from Eric that you also received an invitation to the Friedman family’s cocktail party?”


    Will spoke with his usual calmness. Yet the few short words triggered a sense of pressure in


    Eileen.


    “Yes. As Mr. Smith hasn’t returned yet, he probably won’t make it to the banquet. You shoulde


    home and get yourself prepared today. I’ll take you with me tomorrow. It will be good opportunity for


    you to meet a few business associates.”


    “But…” Eileen uttered meekly. It was unclear if he heard her, but Eileen quickly changed her tact.


    “Understood, Father. I got it.”


    Talking more won’t help. No matter the situation or the reason, she couldn’t refuse.


    Eileen instructed the driver to change course and head for Unde Mansion instead.


    After arriving home, Eileen instructed the driver to leave first.


    The Friedman family’swork might not be as extensive as Elm’s, but at the very leas those who were


    going this time are all people of repute.


    Will brought her along simply because he wanted to announce her rtionship with Jas, to the entire


    capital circle, thereby achieving his goal.


    Before this, Jasper had thought about taking her to various banquets, but she had rejected all of his


    invitations.


    Anything that she didn’t want to do, Jasper would never force her to.


    However, Will couldn’t resist. Having grown up under such pressure since childhood, all Eileen could


    do wasply.


    Returning to the Swan residence, Eileen looked up to see a table full of people already seated, as if


    they were waiting for her.


    Eric, Vera, and Elsie were all present. Will looked over and said, “Go wash your hands, then


    “Alright, Father” She then gave her backpack to Mary.


    Elsie stood


    up


    and served Eileen a bowl of chicken stew. “How have you been at the Smith


    34


    residence? It’s been a while, Eileen. You’ve be even more


    Eileen sat down next to Elsie, curved her lips into a smile, and said, “Thank you.”


    Suddenly, Will inquired, “Did he mention when he would return?”


    Eileen responded, “He has gone to Seatown for a week. He won’t be back until at least the day


    after tomorrow.”


    “Are you two involved romantically?”


    Eileen choked on the chicken stew she had just swallowed. Simultaneously, she could sense numerous


    eyes fixed on her. Among them, one gaze was particrly icy, sending shivers down her spine. Without


    looking, she knew exactly where that gaze originated from.


    Elsie patted Eileen’s back tofort her. “Come on, what are you insinuating? Eileen is still young. Mr.


    Smith is a respectable man. I doubt they have done anything inappropriate.”


    Eileen wished she could disappear into thin air.


    Why would Father ask such a question during a meal?


    In the past, he despised her speaking at the dinner table the most.


    Nevertheless, Eileen wasn’t naive and did her best to remainposed, replying. “asionally.”