Chapter 1752


    On the other side of town, Maja had arrived at the university.


    It was one of the top-tier universities in the nation, on par with the esteemed Solstice College.


    Shirley, at the tender age of thirty, teaching at this institution, was a testament to her excellence.


    Maja had her target in sight. As she saw Shirley approaching from a distance, she feigned a


    stomachache, clutching her belly.


    Shirley was dressed in a soft, gentle manner, with shoulder-length hair and a scarf wrapped around


    her neck.


    Her gaze lingered on Maja for a few seconds, hesitant. "Are you feeling alright?" she asked.


    Maja looked up, meeting Shirley''s eyes.


    It seemed Shirley recognized her. Hesitating for a few seconds, she finally asked, "Aren''t you Miss


    Maja from Star Movie Group?"


    Thepany had been in the spotlight that year, and as its president, Maja''s information had been


    dug up countless times.


    Not to mention the rumors that had swirled around her and Ian, which had made the rounds on


    social media.


    Feeling a bit awkward, Maja remembered her distinct identity and stood upright.


    "Ah, yes, that''s me."


    Shirley tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and offered a reserved smile.


    "Ms. Pennyfeather, I saw you outside the hospitalst time. I wasn’t sure if you were looking for me.


    I have a student at yourpany; they haven''t debuted yet, but they’ve mentioned the generous


    treatment and praised you several times."


    Maja''s embarrassment grew. She had nned to make it seem like a chance encounter, maybe


    even stir a bit of sympathy, but Shirley knew who she was.


    "Ah, I''m honored. I am indeed looking for you. Ms. Dorothy, I heard you are an English teacher?"


    As they walked side by side, Shirley nodded. "Yes, she''s fortunate to be with yourpany. It’s


    tough finding a job with her degree."


    "Those who join Star Movie Group certainly have talent. You needn''t worry, Shirley."


    They reached a campus dessert café, where Shirley invited Maja to sit and talk.


    Maja, without hesitation, took a seat. She now appreciated the saying, "A cultured mind brings


    grace to the soul," and understood why Abner was smitten. But Abner and Shirley were worlds


    apart.


    She grew troubled at the thought. ording to Shirley''s life n, she probably envisioned marrying


    a man from an equally cultured background, leading a stable life. But with Abner, the risks would be


    high.


    If Shirley had no feelings for Abner, Maja''s intervention now would be irresponsible.


    Torn, Maja even considered leaving.


    But under Shirley''s gaze, she feltpelled to speak up.


    "Ms. Dorothy, do you have someone special?"


    Shirley was taken aback by the question and paused before responding, "Not at the moment."


    "I remember you once participated in a mentorship program and brought a boy home?"


    Shirley didn''t respond immediately; instead, she looked down, gripping her coffee cup tightly.


    Clearly, there was a story there.


    Maja didn''t rush her, ordering several desserts and a fruit juice for herself.


    After a few minutes, Shirley exhaled slowly. "Yes, but he left my home a long time ago. We haven''t


    seen each other in ages. Ms. Pennyfeather. If you are hoping to reach him through me, I''m afraid I''ll


    disappoint you."


    "I''m a friend of his."


    Shirley stopped, suddenly tense.


    Her grip on the coffee cup tightened, and after a moment, she asked, "Is he doing well?"


    That question often hinted at a deeper connection.


    "He''s had his ups and downs. Recently, he was seriously injured and seems to havee to


    Greenfield?"


    A bitter smile crossed Shirley''s lips. "Is that so? He hasn''t mentioned it to me. I thought he wouldn''t


    return."


    Abner, after all his tracking, was still ying the purity card? He hadn''t reached out to Shirley.


    Maja was pondering this when Shirley tentatively asked, "Mr. Pennyfeather, are you and he?"


    She didn''t finish, but Maja guessed the implication and quickly rified.


    "Don''t get it wrong. He''s friends with Ian, so I got to know him. There''s nothing else."


    Shirley seemed to rx, perhaps feeling awkward, and gave a small smile.


    "I''ve called him a few times, but mostly he answers. He seems very busy."


    Maja surmised the reason: it was Abner''s way of protecting Shirley.


    In Abner''s precarious position, with many eyes on him, if Shirley got hurt because of him, he


    wouldn''t forgive himself.


    The boy Shirley had brought back from a rural vige had be a lone wolf, now longing for her


    yet too afraid toe close.


    After a moment''s thought, Maja decided toy out her bait.


    "Ms. Dorothy, I find you quite charming, and I''d like to be friends. Plus, I''ve always had a soft spot


    for university professors. I heard you graduated with a master''s degree at a young age and have


    been at the university ever since, recently bing a full-fledged professor, right? It''s the prime of


    life."


    Shirley tensed at the mention of age, "No, I''m getting old."


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Most women her age were married, but she was still single.


    The reasons for her solitude, however, were known only to her.