Chapter 380 - 378: Really Anxious

"Director Lawson!" Cecilia shot him a look, signaling for him to leave with her.

John Lawson looked at the woman, his expression indescribably complex, but in the end, he ignored her pitiful, pleading look and left the restaurant with Cecilia.

The cool breeze outside cleared their heads.

"Sigh..."

John Lawson let out a long, quiet sigh. It said more than words ever could.

Cecilia was speechless. ’John Lawson’s life is tough enough as it is,’ she thought. ’How could he get caught up in something like this?’

She hesitated for a moment before stepping forward to comfort him softly. "Don’t sigh. Today was just a case of bad luck. It’s an isolated incident, I’m sure you’ll meet the right person someday."

She was worried this incident would cast a shadow over the idea of remarrying for him. His mother had been right to worry; with his rare condition, he really needed someone by his side. It wasn’t safe for him to be alone.

John Lawson looked at Cecilia and gently shook his head. "It was bad luck to run into something like this, but I was lucky you were there. If not for you, I was fated to pay the price today for being so blind and foolish."

Annoyance welled up inside him, and he said self-reproachfully, "I must have been out of my mind. Thinking back, the whole thing was full of red flags, but I didn’t see any of them."

Because all his attention was on the woman.

He was too embarrassed to say the rest, but Cecilia understood.

"It’s hard to see clearly when you’re in the thick of it," Cecilia comforted him. "That woman was attractive and had a certain charm. It’s understandable that your judgment was clouded. Scammers like that need to be good-looking, otherwise, who would fall for it? Who would willingly foot the bill?"

"Everyone appreciates beauty. You don’t have to feel so ashamed about it. We’re all human."

Cecilia’s deadpan expression actually made John Lawson laugh. "Now you’re the one lecturing me? Are you the professor or am I?"

"You’re the professor, but even professors can be led astray sometimes."

"Thank you. And thank your boyfriend, too," John Lawson said sincerely. "I’ve lost count of how many times you’ve helped me. It really weighs on my conscience."

Cecilia rolled her eyes. "I don’t just stick my nose in anyone’s business. You’ve been looking out for me ever since I got to Lorcain Tech. Director Lawson, you’re like family to me. I mean that."

John Lawson felt a little embarrassed to hear her say that, but he was delighted.

"Don’t worry, today’s incident is our little secret. I won’t tell a soul. But next time you’re on a blind date, remember to keep your eyes peeled. If something feels off, don’t just bite the bullet and go along with it. If I hadn’t stopped you today, you really would have paid. How much do you even make in a month? Were you really willing to break the bank for one expensive meal just to save face?"

John Lawson smiled sheepishly and nodded again and again. "You’re right. My head wasn’t screwed on straight today. I’m done with blind dates."

"You don’t have to go that far. You can still meet people if they seem like a good match. But you should take the initiative. For a first date, pick a restaurant you’ve been to before. Just be a little more careful."

"Got it."

Back at the university, Cecilia and John Lawson parted ways at the main gate. She headed back to her dorm, thinking that if Estelle hadn’t left yet, she’d join her for a manicure.

But as she approached the dorm building, she saw Estelle Goodman and Charles Jennings standing under a tree, talking.

She stopped in her tracks. Blinking, she decided not to go any closer, not wanting to disturb them.

Under the tree, Estelle stared blankly at the tips of her shoes, her head bowed. She had just mustered the courage to spell things out for Charles, hoping he would actually listen.

Charles watched her in silence for a long time. Finally, Estelle looked up again. "I’ve said what I needed to say. If you have nothing to add, I’m leaving."

Charles finally spoke. "I just don’t understand."

"Don’t understand what?"

"I don’t understand if this is about you minding my relationships with other girls, or if you just want me to stay away from you."

"It’s neither!" Estelle frowned. "You’re completely misunderstanding me. We’re not little kids anymore. We can’t keep acting like we did when we were younger, with no sense of boundaries. That goes for both of us. We’re still friends, but you are you, and I am me. Understand?"

Charles understood. He just didn’t want to.

He shook his head. "I don’t understand."

’He’s playing dumb!’

"Fine, don’t understand. You don’t have to. Just do it."

As Estelle turned to leave, Charles grabbed her by the forearm.

She glanced down at his hand, then looked up at him, puzzled. "What are you doing? We’re right in front of the dorms!"

Charles immediately let go, terrified his actions would start rumors and cause trouble for Estelle.

"I’m sorry."

Seeing his crestfallen expression, Estelle felt a pang of pity. But she knew that what she was doing today was for his own good.

’He’s twenty years old. He should be dating. What am I doing standing in his way?’

So she softened her tone, speaking as gently as she could. "I’m not ignoring you. I just think we need to put a little more distance between us. We’re still friends."

"Please, go home and really think about what I’ve said. Re-evaluate our relationship, okay?"

Charles’s thin lips pressed into a tight line. Though his handsome features were a mask of resistance, he nodded.

Seeing this, Estelle sighed softly before turning and heading back into the dorm.

Charles remained frozen in place. He had been standing there for hours. Watching from afar, Cecilia couldn’t help but marvel. ’With that kind of incredible persistence,’ she thought, ’this kid will succeed at whatever he puts his mind to.’

But she was also getting really antsy...

"If you like her, why are you afraid to say it?"

Cecilia’s sudden appearance made Charles jump.

"Cecilia..."

He guiltily avoided her gaze, but he couldn’t escape her notice. She pursed her lips. "Whether she says yes or no, you have to at least tell her how you feel so she knows!"

Charles said nothing.

Cecilia studied him, asking tentatively, "Afraid of rejection?"

After a slight pause, Charles nodded.

When it came to Estelle, he couldn’t help but feel unworthy.

He knew they were worlds apart in every way, and that he wasn’t the type of guy she’d ever fall for. It was this sober self-awareness that kept him from ever speaking up.

Charles said in a low voice, "Growing up, the only person Estelle ever had a crush on was Kael Jennings. She likes his refinement, his worldliness, his wit and humor... I don’t have any of that. Kael and I have nothing in common."

So, he just assumed he possessed none of the qualities Estelle found attractive.

"That’s not entirely true," Cecilia said.

At this, Charles looked up.

And heard Cecilia blurt out, "You both have the same last name!"