The butler was a professionally trained and deeply experienced staff member of the Squire family, the kind who would remain composed even if Mount Tai collapsed before him or a herd of deer stampeded by his side—
Any improper expression, even a twitch of the brow or a corner of the mouth, could ruin his entire career.
So he only paused for a moment and said, "My apologies, Miss Cross. That was my misunderstanding."
Coincidentally, the two passed by a room at the corner. The butler resumed the previous topic and said, "This is the Young Master's private collection room. Entry is not permitted."
"You all can't enter either?" Vivienne asked. Did Jan Squire clean it himself?
"Yes."
The door was locked. From this plain and ordinary entrance, Vivienne couldn't discern anything unusual, but her curiosity was hard to hide. "What does Jan collect? Antiques?"
"Probably not." The butler gave Vivienne a polite glance and refrained from elaborating. "Just some things the Young Master likes."
…
When Jan Squire returned downstairs, Vivienne was already seated at the table waiting for him.
The butler gracefully pulled out the chair for him. "Young Master, Miss Cross, please enjoy your meal."
"When is he coming back?"
Without changing expression, the butler replied, "Half an hour ago, the Master messaged to say he won't be returning tonight."
Vivienne turned to look at the Young Master.
Jan Squire: "…"
In the awkward, eerie ten seconds of silence, Vivienne understood.
Jan had clearly prepared to give the Financial Minister a shocking "sentinel partner" surprise. Did he not check his father's schedule in advance?
He definitely had.
And then, on this carefully chosen day, after waiting and waiting, what he received was news of a last-minute change of plans.
Have you ever waited from dawn till dusk?
Young Master Jan had been stood up by his own father.
A blatant, naked slap in the face.
Like when you're ready to strike, and your opponent pours a bucket of cold water over your head from the sky.
—He already knew you were waiting here.
—He already knew you were about to act.
Vivienne felt secondhand embarrassment for the youth who had underestimated the cunning of age. And when someone feels awkward, they tend to act busy—
So she lowered her head to check the time on her wrist terminal.
Huh?
She had a message from Bailey Tong.
[Bailey Tong]: Almost forgot!
[Bailey Tong]: Vivienne, when you arrive tomorrow, just show this key and you can go straight to the tower to find me~
[Bailey Tong]: Little cat starry-eyed.gif
Vivienne hadn't expected Bailey to have this kind of personality. Given her cool and aloof appearance, who knew she liked to send cute emoji on her communicator?
After replying quickly, she looked up to find the tension at the table had vanished.
Well, now that it's come to this, might as well eat.
She picked up her chopsticks. The two of them shared dinner normally. Honestly speaking, the Squire family chef's cooking far surpassed the school's machine-prepped meals.
Vivienne elegantly devoured the meal.
After dinner, the butler spoke gently. "It's getting late. Miss Cross, would you like to stay the night?"
"The guest room has been prepared."
Both of them had things to do over the weekend. Their plan to fake a sentinel-bonded couple to provoke the Financial Minister would have to be postponed.
Vivienne politely declined. "No need."
Jan didn't seem surprised and immediately ordered the chauffeur to drive Vivienne back to school. On the way, she received a message and a notification of her account balance change.
[Jan Squire]: Vivienne, thanks for your hard work today.
[Jan Squire]: I transferred 200,000 to you. Can you check if it's arrived?
Vivienne perked up.
Playing games for one day and earning 200,000 star coins—
Finally, a side hustle that wasn't just being a sugar baby!
Weekend.
67th floor of Zirak Tower. Soft background music drifted gently through the air. The scene was decorated warmly and romantically, with a sweet and cozy atmosphere lingering throughout the space.
"The reason we're all gathered here today—" Mason Pike lazily raised his glass, delivering his monologue with relish, "is to celebrate the engagement of our childhood friend, Selina."
Beside him, a blond young man raised his hand languidly for a toast.
The platinum strands of his hair shimmered under the lights with a soft glow, as if kissed by moonlight, casting a faint silvery sheen. His golden-green eyes made him resemble a self-amused cat—noble in lineage, glossy and sleek.
The two had intentionally found a more secluded corner.
Mason wanted to tell jokes that weren't for public ears, while Wesley was simply in a foul mood—
That "incident" in the early hours of Thursday had completely ruined his good mood for the past few days.
"Jan Squire really didn't bring anyone." Mason slumped like a wilted eggplant, utterly deflated. "How could this happen?"
In the distance, Jan stood alone representing the Squire family, his face cold and stern among the crowd.
Even so, people still swarmed forward, eager to strike up a conversation.
"Blah blah blah," Wesley said slowly. "Anyone listening might think you've got a crush on him."
"The Pike family's reputation is taking hits!" Mason sucked in a breath at the accusation, goosebumps rising. "I get that you're annoyed, Wesley, but you don't have to go that far in slandering me!"
"He's into same-sex bonds. That's a family gene issue."
—In academic circles, there's a theory that if an evolver can't feel sexual attraction toward their matching counterpart (Sentinel or Guide), it might be due to a genetic defect.
Mason's mouth ran non-stop: "I'm not gay, okay?"
"I just enjoy the drama! Is that a crime?"
"Didn't Jan's dad want him to marry your sister?"
"Yeah, but that was just wishful thinking." Mason waved it off. "His son's a same-sex-obsessed weirdo. No matter how nuts my parents are, they'd never force that kind of match."
"And now it looks like Jan is the one in a hurry. That guy's been stubborn since he was a kid—let him go duke it out with the elders."
Wesley had only been teasing, boredly lowering his eyes. "Only you would let someone else's love drama affect your mood."
Mason shook his head. "You don't get it. This is about control over the situation. My grasp of human nature!"
"And now, after ten years of knowing the guy, my judgment was wrong. I can't accept that!"
Grabbing a glass of red wine, he suddenly shot to his feet. "No, I'm going to ask him directly!"
Choosing to get scolded was a personal freedom. Wesley rolled his eyes inwardly but let him go ask for trouble.
The blond youth lifted his wrist in boredom. The silver-white diamond-studded watch caught the light as he checked the time, reflecting tiny sparkles.
Strange.
These kinds of parties were practically routine for him, yet today felt especially dull.
Wesley let out a long sigh.
Maybe it was because after the last banquet, he had gone straight into closed training with the military.
His memory of banquets still lingered on that ridiculous confrontation with Gavin Thornton from the North Dipper Vermilion Bird unit…
And that black-haired woman.
Lower levels of Zirak Tower.
"Key verified." The attendant politely put down the scanner and opened the access gate. "Ms. Cross, please proceed."
The black-haired woman who had been lingering in Wesley's thoughts set down her terminal, smiling as she said politely, "Thank you very much."