CHAPTER 211: CHAPTER 211: THEY’RE ALL MY CLIENTS

When Caleb Grant arrived at the hotel, Claire Wilde was lying on the bed playing a mobile game.

He glanced over; it was a game he used to enjoy playing a few years back as well.

He sat beside her watching her clumsy moves on the screen without mocking her, only asking, "Not much homework? Still have time for games."

"There’s lots, but I need a balance between work and rest."

"Love playing games?"

"Not really, usually it’s all about classes, and with lots of homework during holidays, I rarely play." Claire Wilde lay on her belly, swinging her feet, asking him, "Ms. Yardley said you develop games; are you really good at playing them?"

Julian Yardley gave a little cough and said, "I don’t play."

If he admitted he also played games, this girl would surely find another excuse to cling to him.

"Really? But I heard..."

"Finish up and get ready; we’re heading out for dinner."

"Right away!" Claire Wilde quickly put away her phone. Julian Yardley thought this girl was quite playful, yet she listened to him.

Her figure was similar to Sheila Yardley’s, so wearing Sheila’s clothes fit her perfectly.

"By the way, Ms. Yardley," standing in the elevator, Claire Wilde looked down at her dress and asked, "Are these your ex-girlfriend’s clothes?"

Julian Yardley glanced at her, responding impatiently, "No."

"So you have a girlfriend now?"

"Do you think if I had a girlfriend, I’d be out here serving you late at night?"

Claire Wilde smiled satisfactorily, yet some words couldn’t be said out of shyness.

Julian Yardley knew this little girl’s thoughts, but given her young age and lack of maturity, he figured her admiration for him might evaporate in two or three years.

"Ms. Yardley, how many times have you been in love?"

Julian Yardley was a bit embarrassed to admit he was single since birth, hesitated, then asked her back, "What about you?"

Claire Wilde responded honestly, "Not even once. I find the boys at school so immature and completely lacking in charm."

"So what is charming?"

Julian Yardley casually asked, and Claire Wilde candidly replied, "Someone like you. I think you’re very charming, Ms. Yardley. I really like you."

Julian Yardley was usually thick-skinned, but he didn’t expect to be teased by a little girl and wasn’t to be outdone, so he joked, "What, you want to marry me or something?"

Claire Wilde blushed, but didn’t hide her feelings, which Julian Yardley appreciated about her.

"So Ms. Yardley, will you wait for me? I’ll marry you as soon as I turn twenty."

Julian Yardley turned his head to look at her earnest expression, a bit startled by this girl’s boldness, but unsure whether this was just a whims of youth, or if she’d meet some handsome guy soon and chase after him instead.

"Can’t wait, little girl." Julian Yardley said as he walked out of the elevator, quickly moving ahead.

Even though he didn’t take Claire Wilde’s words seriously, he couldn’t deny feeling a slight stir at that moment.

To be honest, when it comes to matters of the heart, maybe he’s not as clear-headed as Claire Wilde.

Claire Wilde hurriedly followed behind, eager to correct his view of her: "I’m not that young! In ancient times, I’d be of marriageable age!"

"Focus on your studies, not on these whimsical thoughts."

"Then promise me you won’t date anyone else."

Julian Yardley didn’t respond, so she kept pestering him for a promise, but he successfully diverted her attention with food.

He never gives promises lightly, knowing that time indeed changes many things.

After dinner, he accompanied her on a stroll down the street, and for some reason, he picked out a hair clip for her, replacing the fake one she had in her hair.

It wasn’t an especially expensive gift, yet she was very happy.

Watching too many horror novels and movies, she said she was scared to stay alone in the hotel at night. After escorting her back, she refused to let him leave, nearly crying with anxiety.

It was clear she was genuinely frightened, not just seeking an excuse to be around him.

In the end, Julian Yardley had no choice but to compromise, she slept in the bed, and he slept on the sofa.

The next day, he followed through with yesterday’s movie promise, accompanying her to see the movie, and with an afternoon flight, sent her off to the airport after lunch.

"Don’t run off randomly next time."

"But if you don’t come to see me, what should I do?"

"Could you be a bit more reserved, young lady?"

Claire Wilde pouted, looking back three times at every step until she passed through security.

Julian Yardley stood outside the queue, watching her until she was out of sight before leaving.

He hadn’t yet told her that he’d be teaching at her school in two weeks, imagining how happy she’d be to know, a gentle smile crept onto his face.

Seasons come and go, time soft and serene as if it once visited, but left nothing behind, not giving anyone the chance to grasp it.

Two and a half years passed in a blink.

A city once unfamiliar now became home to Shannon Quinn.

"Mom, did anyone add you on WeChat today?" As soon as Shannon Quinn picked up Leo from kindergarten, Leo asked her.

Shannon Quinn, having been tricked by her son countless times and having to clean up his messes, instantly pieced it together and questioned him with a stern look: "Who did you sell my WeChat to this time?"

Leo chuckled, fished out two hundred yuan from his backpack, and said, "It was that uncle we ran into yesterday during dinner."

Leo handed a hundred yuan to Shannon Quinn and said, "There, giving you a share, give me fifty back."

Shannon Quinn rolled her eyes at him, wondering where he picked up all these mischievous ideas, "I’ve told you so many times, don’t talk to strangers, and don’t take money from strangers."

"Those uncles aren’t strangers, they’re my clients!"

"Oh, so your mom is your merchandise?"

"Mom, you’re wrong. I’m helping you out, you see, I’m helping you find a good husband and making money at the same time. Isn’t that great?"

Listening to her son’s words flowing like they’ve been rehearsed, Shannon Quinn truly regretted letting him watch so many dramas with her, wanting to crack open his head to see what was going on inside.

Shannon Quinn snatched the entire two hundred yuan from Leo, who immediately frowned and protested, "What are you doing?!"

"Ill-gotten gains, confiscated."

"How unreasonable! I earned that money with my own skills!"

Shannon Quinn bent over to heft Leo into the car, a task already becoming difficult. In two or three more years, she might find herself powerless against him.