Aria’s finger froze mid–press on the volume button.
She glanced at Owen, a twinge of unease flashing through her, Composing herself, she calmly withdrew her finger and lowered her voice. “Nothing you can’t hear,” she said.
Owen’s lips curved into a smile. “Good.”
Aria glanced at her phone screen. “Mono, so what happened next? Did you end up selling them?”
On the other end of the line, Mono raised his voice, brimming with pride. “As if I’d ever sell them! That self–proclaimed fellow apprentice of yours, Westin, has been cradling your paintings like they’re his greatest treasure, constantly going on about when he’ll finally get to meet you.”
Liam even went to the Fine Art Society, offering to buy back the paintings at triple the original price.
Westin flatly said, “Not even for ten times the price! These are my incredible fellow apprentice’s paintings.”
Unable to buy the paintings, Liam left with his tail between his legs. Mono immediately called Aria to gloat about it.
Hearing his tone, Aria could just imagine how comfortable Mono’s life at the Fine Art Society must be. Her gaze swept over the table full of dishes, and she sighed dramatically, “Owen prepared a whole feast here. Too bad you missed out.”
Feeling quite helpless at what she said, Mono said with feigned indifference, “I’m eating quite well here too–not jealous at all.”
Aria asked innocently, “Is it as good as Owen’s cooking?”
Mono was speechless for a moment before uttering, “You sure know how to talk, don’t you?”
Aria chuckled playfully, “If you say so. Want me to snap a photo for you, Mono? Let you see what you’re missing out on?”
The line went dead.
“Hello? Mono?” Aria checked her phone, puzzled. “Why’d he hang up?”
Seeing the puzzled look on her face, Owen suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for Mono.
Owen cleared his throat, ladled a bowl of soup, and gently placed it in front of Aria. “Let’s eat first,” he said softly.
Aria nodded with a smile. “Alright then.”
Aria opened her camera, snapped a photo of the meal, sent it to Mono with a teasing smirk, then put away her phone and finally started eating.
She thought, ‘Mono was the one who broke his promise–serves him right to drool over this now!‘
Owen smiled as he recalled something. “I ran into Mr. Schmidt recently–he was delighted to hear you’ve agreed to be a guest lecturer at Mandino University.”
During her time in Jamelan, Aria frequently called Martin regarding her research.
On the first day after the pandemic ended, Martin texted her as usual to ask if she’d changed her mind.
It was only after Aria texted back that he realized she’d already agreed all along.
Those kids all assured someone else would inform Martin, but in the end, no one did.
Aria smiled faintly. “They’re quite well behaved–won’t be much trouble to teach.”
ค
09:33 Mon, 16 Jun
Chapter 333
She knew one thing about fresh graduates: if nothing else, they were really obedient.
She added, “They’re quite diligent and well–behaved.”
After working with them for a few months, Owen had developed quite a favorable impression of them as well.
Owen asked, his tone seemingly casual, “Liam Cole just came by to see you. What was that about? Need a hand?”
Aria shook her head. “No. Just leave him be.”
Liam had sold the paintings before going to Jamelan to help. Since he had already paid one hundred million dollars in compensation, the paintings rightfully belonged to him, so it was perfectly understandable for him to sell them.
But what puzzled Aria was why Liam would go all the way to the Fine Art Society just to buy the paintings back
Aria picked up the bowl of soup Owen had served her and took a slow sip, then paused mid–sip as if something had just occurred to her
“Wait… Did Liam finally realize it wasn’t Hannah who saved him? What an idiot.‘ Aria sneered inwardly.
At that time, as Kerano Global Health’s professor, Aria was duty–bound to take responsibility–saving lives was simply her professional obligation.
There were seven or eight critically ill patients, and she managed to save them all.
If she had known what Liam would become, she would’ve just ignored him back then.
E
