CHAPTER 510: CHAPTER 510: MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS

Flora doesn’t really know Lucian Quinn that well yet, but she agrees that he’s got a good temper.

The first time they met was a minor accident; from his gentle demeanor back then, she could tell he’s a mild-mannered person.

But thinking about marrying him this year feels a bit too rushed for Flora, so she says, "... We’re just trying to date first, not getting married that fast."

Seraphina Vaughn: "This sounds like he’s the one pursuing Old Flora, so Old Flora still seems to have the choice to be together or not. If later on, he finds out Old Flora is not who he imagined her to be and wants to break up, all Old Flora can do is cry."

Flora had thought about this possibility too, and feeling a bit guilty, she swallowed and forced herself to say, "Who would cry? Break up if we must. I’d actually be relieved if he stops clinging to me then."

Audrey Sutton tore open another bag of candies and mumbled, "I’m saying, can’t people just be a bit more honest? If you like him, you like him; it’s not something to be ashamed of."

Barry Barrett: "I think Sutton is right. Look at how she snagged the Third Young Master. You should learn from her, Flora."

Audrey Sutton added with a small, proud smile, "What do you mean I snagged the Third Young Master? He fell for me at first sight, okay? He was the one who wouldn’t leave me alone."

Seraphina Vaughn: "Tsk tsk, look at her, just mentioning ’Third Young Master’ and she can’t stop smiling, claiming he chased after her."

Barry Barrett sighed, "Ah, Sutton is so lucky. Now Flora is about to get married too, while I and Brother Seraphina might remain single until graduation."

Barry was about to go and hold onto Seraphina Vaughn’s arm for warmth, but Seraphina pushed him away: "Get lost. You’re the only one single. I’m not avoiding marriage; there are plenty chasing after me!"

Barry wailed at the sky, "When will sweet love come my way?!"

That night, Audrey Sutton dragged Shane Warner to have sour soup hotpot again. During the meal, Audrey carefully asked Shane, "Hey, has Brother Sterling contacted you lately?"

Shane Warner frowned slightly, looking at Audrey with confusion, "Quentin Sterling?"

Audrey Sutton nodded, "Yeah."

Shane eyed her, "Why are you asking about that?"

Audrey Sutton: "Just randomly asking, be honest with your answer."

Shane Warner knew she wouldn’t ask such things for no reason, clearly hinting at getting information on Clarissa Morgan. Shane took a bite of the meatball from his bowl and said lightly, "He contacted me a few days ago."

Audrey Sutton immediately perked up, straightened up, and asked again, "What did he contact you for?"

Shane Warner answered truthfully, "Business negotiations."

Audrey continued to ask, "Was he alone?"

Shane Warner: "No."

Audrey Sutton frowned, "Who else was there?"

Shane Warner: "His secretary."

Audrey Sutton pondered for a moment, biting the tip of her chopsticks, and asked, "What about Clarissa Morgan? Wasn’t she with him?"

Shane Warner put down his chopsticks, picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, and scrutinized Audrey before saying lightly, "What exactly do you want to know?"

Audrey Sutton decided not to beat around the bush, checked his expression, and said, "I heard they got divorced. Is it true?"

Shane Warner paused with the napkin in his hand, clearly hearing the news for the first time but not very surprised, and put the napkin down, answering softly, "Not sure."

Seeing Shane’s demeanor, Audrey figured he genuinely wasn’t aware. She then put her chopsticks into the pot, stirring for a while before picking a potato into her bowl, smiling as she asked, "Could you find out for me?"

Shane Warner glared at her and, in a tone like lecturing a child, said, "Mind your own business."

After a pause, he asked, "Who did you hear that from?"

Audrey Sutton mimicked his tone with a pout, "Mind your own business."

Shane Warner rolled his eyes at her, seeing her fishing in the pot for the meatball for a long time without success. He used a spoon to scoop her the meatball, placing it in her bowl, and asked, "Has she contacted you recently?"

Audrey Sutton bit a piece of the meatball and said while eating, "Ran into her at school."

Shane Warner: "Just try to avoid her. Don’t engage; whatever she’s plotting, if you don’t engage, she can’t do anything."

Audrey Sutton nodded obediently, then mumbled in confusion, "You said she likes you. Why isn’t she bothering you but coming to bother me instead?"

Shane Warner: "Because she knows you’re easier to manipulate than me."

Audrey Sutton frowned and slammed her chopsticks down, "I don’t want to eat anymore!"

Shane Warner wasn’t buying it, "Then we leave."

Audrey Sutton pouted, silently picked up her chopsticks again, and with a commanding tone said to Shane Warner, "I want more meatballs."

Shane Warner didn’t fuss with her, picked up a spoon, and started fishing for meatballs in the pot for her.

Meanwhile, Flora was standing at the entrance of the restaurant, pulling her knitted cardigan tight and shivering in the night.

She took out her phone from her bag and checked the time; it was already more than ten minutes past their scheduled meeting time.

On their first date, he was already late. Hadn’t he valued her after winning her over?

Or was he pretending to be honest but actually enjoyed manipulating women, relishing the accomplishment of winning women over only to ignore them afterward?

Flora wondered if she’d been stood up, scrolling to find Lucian Quinn’s number and hesitating whether to call.

She looked at the cars coming and going on the road, but saw no sign of his car. Shivering in the wind, she gritted her teeth and dialed the number.

Unexpectedly, she heard a notice that the mobile phone service was disconnected due to unpaid bills.

That’s when she realized that her WhatsApp was also disconnected, which explained why she hadn’t received any messages.

This result actually relieved Flora. At least she could comfort herself that Lucian Quinn hadn’t stood her up; perhaps something came up, and he tried to call her, but couldn’t connect.

With that thought, Flora turned towards the store to ask the staff for help. She had barely taken two steps when someone gently patted her on the shoulder from behind. Surprised, she turned around and saw Lucian Quinn: "Why are you just getting here?"

Lucian Quinn was panting heavily and smiled apologetically, "There was a traffic jam, and I couldn’t get through your phone, so I ran all the way here."

Seeing his breathless state, Flora couldn’t help but smile and explained, "My phone got disconnected; I just found out. It seems today’s not a great day for a date. Nothing’s going right."

Lucian Quinn caught his breath and smiled, "I wouldn’t call it a bad day, just an experience, something memorable to look back on."

Flora’s smile froze for a moment, not expecting such insight from Lucian Quinn, and it had a rather romantic air to it.

"Let’s go in; I come here often, and the food’s pretty good. I’ve long wanted to bring you here to try it; I just don’t know if you’ll like it." With that, Lucian gently wrapped an arm around Flora and started towards the restaurant...