Chapter 140
ed the chauffeur. “Out, please.”
Harrison’s effort to pick her up from school was, to the driver, a clear olive branch–a signal he wanted to make amends.
The chauffeur had no idea what Selene was planning, but he obeyed and stepped
out.
Selene slid behind the wheel, set her bag on the seat, and pulled up the car’s navigation screen. “Which restaurant are we going to?” she asked Harrison.
13:24
1/3
Chapter 140
He was taken aback–was she offering to drive them herself? Was she actually trying to please him?
The idea made Harrison want to laugh. If Selene wanted to play chauffeur, so be it.
He named a well–known French restaurant in the city, famous for its sweeping views and impossible–to–get reservations.
Selene typed in the address and slammed down the accelerator. The sudden surge pinned Harrison and Dames back in their seats, catching them both off guard.
The Mercedes tore through the city, weaving between cars. Harrison quickly reached over and buckled Dames’s seatbelt.
He tried again and again to speak, but each time, the wild swerves of the car cut
him off.
Inside his head, Harrison was cursing a blue streak.
How could someone drive a luxury car like this and make it feel like an off–road rally?
They barely missed sideswiping another car. Dames slumped in his seat, eyes wide
with terror.
Daph, in the front seat, was unfazed–she was used to sports and quick reflexes, so Selene’s wild driving barely rattled her.
The black Mercedes snaked through the gridlocked rush–hour traffic, darting forward like a predator.
A trip that should have taken over half an hour was done in just fifteen minutes,
thanks to Selene’s reckless maneuvers.
When they arrived, Harrison climbed out looking pale, his sharp features drawn tight, lips pressed into a thin, severe line.
Dames staggered out, then promptly threw up.
“Ugh!”
Clutching his chest, he glared at Selene, voice trembling with outrage. “You did that on purpose!”
It wasn’t like he’d never been in a car with her before. But this–this was the first time she’d turned a luxury sedan into a roller coaster.
“Ugh! What kind of driving is that? I’d rather ride an actual roller coaster!” Dames
2/3
13:24
complained, stamping his feet between retches.
He didn’t have the energy to keep yelling; instead, he leaned on his knees and focused on not being sick again.
Selene ignored him entirely. She took Daph by the hand and strode into the
restaurant.
Harrison gave his phone number to the host, who led them to a private dining
room.
Selene entered, ready to greet Leo–until she saw who was actually seated at the long table. The smile in her dark eyes froze.
At the table sat Felicity–and her parents.
“Flick!” Dames’s face lit up. He raced across the room and launched himself into Felicity’s arms like a bird returning to its nest.
Standing nearby, Selene watched as Felicity wrapped Dames in a hug, her hand cradling the back of his head.
They were so close, and yet Selene didn’t so much as glance their way.
Felicity smirked inwardly.
Afraid to look, aren’t you? she thought. What mother could stand to see her son so
attached to another woman?
She threw the question right back at Quentin. “Professor James, perhaps you could offer me some advice.”
Quentin gave a genial laugh. “Advice? I wouldn’t presume. But when you took first place in the qualifiers, the whole internet was in an uproar, questioning your win. Even ALI Group and the official press just let you weather that storm on your own. I was honestly worried you wouldn’t survive all that online backlash!”
Right now, Quentin, clad in his drab tan overcoat, looked every bit like a sly fox wagging its tail.
Selene regarded him in silence, wondering what kind of performance he was putting on this time.
When she didn’t respond, Quentin’s tone grew serious and earnest. “In our country, it’s so hard for top talent to make a name for themselves. Take me, for example–l had to claw my way out of a small, backward town. I speak from experience.”
“Selene, only say this because I value your talent. If you’re serious about a career in research or academia, you should go abroad. Our country is just too closed off; only overseas do you find real freedom.”
Selene replied, “At the moment, I just want to support my family.”
Seeing that she had no grand ambitions, Quentin’s eyes softened with a hint of condescension. In his mind, Selene was smart enough to win competitions, sure, but to truly accomplish something in her career? Impossible. After all, she was just
a woman.
He offered his advice anyway. “If you’re looking for a job, you should definitely consider international companies. They offer weekends off, parental leave. If you go with a domestic firm, there’s no way you’ll have time to take care of Daph all by yourself.”
He almost sounded as if he genuinely cared about her future.
Selene realized Quentin had come prepared. She decided to play along and see what he was really after.
“I’ve been a stay–at–home mom for seven years,” she said. “I’m not very familiar with the big–name companies out there. Professor James, you know much more than I do–what kind of position do you think would suit me?”
Led by her question, Quentin finally revealed his real purpose.
1/2
པ་་་་་་་
“Selene, have you heard of OmniCore Technologies?”
OmniCore Technologies was a Morganian corporation, backed by the tech giant Vortech Dynamics.
Vortech Dynamics was now the world’s most valuable company, the crown jewel of the international stock market.
Selene shook her head, feigning ignorance.
Quentin leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “To tell you the truth, after you won your award, OmniCore Technologies reached out to me. They wanted me to get in touch with you. The reason I agreed to help is that OmniCore partners with Capital University, and they’ve even invested in my research project.”
“They’re offering you an incredible package–seven figures in base salary, another seven figures in project bonuses, plus profit–sharing and all kinds of perks. Most importantly, OmniCore offers 103 days off a year. As a single mother, Selene, I think this is perfect for you! And right now, your visibility is at its peak. Foreign universities are rolling out the red carpet. You could easily secure a green card and settle in a developed country with Daph.”
“That way, you can leave all the chaos of Capital City behind, can’t you?”
Selene’s face remained impassive as she nodded to Quentin. “Thank you for your suggestions, Professor James. I’ll give them serious thought.“,
She left with Daph. Clarissa watched them go, her eyes cold, and let out a dismissive snort. “Those universities and big corporations just want the publicity. She doesn’t even have any work experience–if she joins a major company, she’ll still have to start at the bottom!”
Clarissa spoke with conviction.
Quentin just smiled. “Selene truly is a rare talent.”
Clarissa shot him a frosty glare, her expression darkening.
Quentin quickly wrapped his arms around her. “Why are you jealous? I’m only calling her talented!”
Clarissa scowled, shrugging him off with a pout, but ultimately let Quentin hold her tight.
Selene, hand in hand with Daph, hadn’t gone far before she spotted a sleek black. Maybach parked just ahead.
The window rolled down, revealing the chiseled, striking profile of Harrison.
2/2
13:24
Chapter 140
