Chapter 8 A Deal over Dinner
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The car rolled to a stop in front of a charming little restaurant tucked behind a rustic courtyard.
“A friend of mine owns the place. The food’s not bad,” Hubert said as he gently helped her out of the car. Surprisingly, thanks to Hubert’s deliberately restrained, considerate demeanor, Azalea didn’t feel too
nervous.
“Thank you.”
Wylie gave Hubert a sideways glance. He could’ve sworn they’d made a reservation for a modern fusion place tonight.
Still, the restaurant had its own quiet charm. Just inside the entrance, a gentle stream flowed beneath a footbridge, and soft lighting danced through the shadows of tall trees. The name–Willow Glen–fits it perfectly.
The food lived up to the ambiance. For the soups, in particular, she had two bowls.
She wasn’t sure if it was a coincidence, but the dishes they ordered were all nourishing and easy on the stomach–perfect for someone with digestive issues.
“Ms. Yarrow.” Hubert finally started to talk business.
“You can just call me by name.”
Hubert smiled. “Then I’ll go with Lea.”
Azalea froze slightly at the nickname. Back at the orphanage, her sponsor–Mr. Quinn–would send her a letter with her allowance each month, always addressing her as Lea. He had been the only person to ever call her that.
She pressed her lips together but didn’t reject the nickname. “Okay.”
She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but Hubert’s mood seemed to improve after she responded.
“I heard you were selected for Jubilee’s training camp. You studied fine arts before, right? You should know that Wylie is your classmate–but his art grades have been less than ideal. Would you be available to come to the Lennoxs‘ residence on weekends and tutor him?”
Wylie was confused.
He looked up from his phone with a ‘you’ve got to be kidding me‘ expression. If anyone knew he was lazy, it was Hubert! He didn’t need a tutor but didn’t want to draw.
All his past tutors had been masters in some technique or another. Now they wanted a high school student who hadn’t even graduated yet?
That wasn’t even the worst part. When had he ever said he needed tutoring?
He opened his mouth, ready to say no. But Hubert was a step ahead. He looked over and said calmly, “Wylie, I think you need tutoring.”
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Chapter 8 A Deal over Dinner
The was smiling.
Wylie shin his month. Right, like his opinion mattered.
Azalea was surprised, too. Was he serious? Does someone with Wylie’s background need a tutor?
“Of course, Hubert added. ‘T’m not asking you to work for free. How does 1,000 per session sound?”
A thousand per session. He didn’t say how many sessions there would be, but even just two a week meant 2.000.
Azalea almost couldn’t hold back her expression. Suppose she didn’t know for a fact that Hubert didn’t know about her current situation. She’d think he was deliberately trying to give her money in that case.
He sat back in his chair, hands folded neatly in front of him, calm and patient–waiting for her answer without pressure, giving her full respect.
She didn’t reject him. Instead, she was thinking through its practicality.
It wasn’t about the money–it was about the connection.
In her original plan, she had a step that involved finding investors.
She needed someone who was willing to invest in her. She’d considered using her future achievements and Wylie’s connections to make that happen.
But now she was rethinking it. If she could get investment from the Lennox immediately, it wouldn’t just mean stable funding–it would be a powerful form of protection. Not many people, including the Larks, would dare mess with someone backed by the Lennoxs.
“All right. I accept.” Having made up her mind, she nodded.
“It’s getting late. If you don’t mind, Mr. Lennox, maybe we can exchange contact info and discuss the details later. I should get going.”
Hubert stood up. “I’ll walk you out.”
Wylie, who’d been ignored this whole time, slowly raised his hand. “I’ve got stuff to do.”
Hubert raised an eyebrow. “I meant I’m walking her out.”
“I’ll get my own ride,” Wylie instantly changed his tune.
As Hubert led Azalea out, the two bodyguards sitting in the car watched intently.
“Did Mr. Hubert just tell Mr. Wylie to get his own ride while he sends that girl off himself?”
“She’s Mr. Wylie’s classmate. Mr. Hubert’s probably just being considerate to someone younger.”
“Oh, please. You think a man who talks back to Mr. Roger like it’s nothing is suddenly being nice to some random classmate?”
Nonsense!
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Chapter 8 A Deal over Dinner
The car went quiet for a moment.
Hah, come on. Mr. Hubert is eight years older than the girl. He’s not that crazy. Besides, he’s famous for being cold toward wome–TS”
“I heard from Levi that Mr. Hubert asked him to run a background check on Ms. Yarrow
Dead silence. Then one of then mustered. “Mr. Hubert really ain’t human.”
Back outside, Azalea walked beside Hubert, keeping half a step behind him.
She had to admit–this man had been blessed with incredible looks. Over the years, she’d seen her fair share of attractive people. The Larks had no shortage of eye candy; Skyler alone was a multi–award- winning actor whose looks could go head–to–head with any star. But even he paled in comparison to Hubert.
Or maybe it wasn’t just the looks–it was the aura. He carried himself with this ethereal, untouchable grace, like a character straight out of a dream. And yet his features were bold, dangerously seductive. dripping with intensity. His eyes were deep and magnetic, sparkling with a subtle glow, like the Milky Way itself–impossible to look away from.
Even dressed casually, he made the most ordinary outfit seem like high fashion.
Azalea rubbed her nose and slowed her steps a little more. She knew she wasn’t bad–looking–if she were. Sydney wouldn’t have been so jealous in the last life that she’d ruined her face.
But right now, standing next to Hubert, she felt like if anyone jumped out to flirt with someone, they’d pick him, not her.
“Where to?”
“The suburban beltway.”
“Got it.” It was just a short walk to the car, and by the time they arrived, the bodyguard had already opened the door.
Azalea didn’t hesitate and got in.
A moment later, Hubert slid in beside her. As usual, the bodyguard sat in the front.
Azalea stayed still. Even though they’d already shared a car earlier, it was just the two of them this time.
She buried her head in her phone, suddenly regretting letting him drive her back.
The scent lingering in the car reminded her of him, slowing her breathing. She had no idea how Wylie could sit beside this man and calmly play mobile games.
“So, why the sudden switch to academic class in your senior year?” Hubert tilted his head toward her.
Azalea was startled. She looked up and saw him leaning back, relaxed. The loose fit of his shirt exposed the elegant lines of his collarbones. His head was slightly bowed, eyes soft with a hint of interest.
He could pass for a concerned elder if it weren’t for that absurdly attractive face.
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Chapter 8 A Deal over Dinner
“I just thought the academic class might suit me better.”
“Isn’t the workload a bit much this late in the game?”
“It’s fine. I can handle it.” Azalea relaxed a little more.
They chatted casually. At one point, Hubert mentioned the tutoring schedule. “Just message me when it’s time. I’ll have someone pick you up.”
“Okay.” Oddly enough, talking to him didn’t feel tense–it felt familiar. Like they’d known each other a long time.
“Just stop at the gaming café up ahead.” Azalea glanced out the window. Time to play some more ranked matches.
Since Wylie had seen those gameplay highlight videos of her lately, he was definitely planning to camp her queue tonight.
GOD only had five members, and their team faced the veteran powerhouse Anexis. Right now, their mid- laner couldn’t play. Even if they were looking to recruit someone new, it had to be done quietly.
Based on what she knew from her past life, Wylie would most likely match with her in–game to test her out–whether as a teammate or opponent. Only after she passed his test would the private message arrive.
The car pulled up along the side of the road.
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