Having studied Bailey, Cooper finally found his flaw and pointed it out before everyone. âBailey, your education level is too low, so youâre not worthy of becoming my grandson-in-law,â he declared unceremoniously in front of Carmen and the rest of the family when Bailey was at their house for dinner one day.
Indeed, Baileyâs education level was low. He stepped out into society and took over his family business when he was ten years old, so he had no opportunity to return to school anymore thereafter. All he could do was to hire tutors to teach him at home, for it was already arduous for him to survive when he was hard-pressed from all sides. Thus, studying with his peers was practically impossible. While heâd studied systematically and was very capable to the extent that many universities invited him over as a visiting professor, he just didnât have the academic qualifications. In fact, he didnât even have a high school diploma!
The moment Cooperâs words were heard, Carmenâs reaction was the most intense. âGrandpa, what do you mean by that? Why are you talking about him being worthy or otherwise? Weâre just friends!â Although we⦠we kissed the other time, neither of us ever brought that day up again. Therefore, they were still at the beautiful stage where things were fuzzy. Hence, Cooperâs proclamation burst the bubble, making the situation exceedingly awkward.
Bailey, who was eating, stilled for a moment, but he said nothing.
Upon seeing this, Cooper was in seventh heaven. Finally, Iâve found his Achilles heel! Putting on his authoritative air as an elder, he loftily asserted, âMy granddaughter will never marry a man who doesnât even have a high school diploma.â
All at once, the atmosphere turned awkward, and Carmenâs face flushed bright red from mortification.
At this time, Sophia hurriedly smoothed things over, exclaiming, âWhat are you saying, Dad? Whatâs this about marrying and all?â He should at last leave them some dignity! Theyâre now at the beautiful stage where things are hazy, so isnât he just ruining everything by uttering such a remark?
Unexpectedly, Bailey put down his cutlery and said to Cooper solemnly, âI almost forgot to tell you that Iâve already enrolled for Self-Taught Higher Education Examinations at Bayside University, so I am studying while working. Iâve already passed two subjects so far, and will soon be receiving my bachelorâs degree from Bayside University.â Then, he continued, âWhen Iâve gotten my bachelorâs degree, Iâll continue studying for a masterâs degree.â
Cooper opened his mouth, but upon realizing that he had nothing to say, he muttered, âBeing self-
taught isnât something thatâs so easyâ¦â
From then on, Bailey had a new reason to interact with Carmenâhaving her teach him.
Subsequently, Casper noticed that Bailey was often showing up in the university, so he made discreet inquiries. Only then did he know that Bailey had actually enrolled for Self-Taught Higher Education Examinations (STHEE) in Bayside University! For that reason, he often came to the university to attend lectures. He even applied for a bachelorâs degree in law, which was precisely Carmenâs course, so he seized the opportunity to sit in on her classes.
Cooper had truly shot himself in the foot this time. After all, this was a trick Michael had used previously!
Furthermore, Bailey got a bicycle from somewhere, so he even often used it to commute to and fro while giving Carmen rides. Thus, they went all around Bayside University like a couple.
Casper was so infuriated that he saw red. Bailey is simply a prodigy, an expert in seizing any and all opportunities to advance his intentions!
Someone else who was likewise disgruntled was Flynn. He searched for Carmen all over the campus the entire day as though having nothing better to do. On the other hand, Kimberly said that Carmen didnât get into Bayside University at all, but he didnât believe that. And sure enough, he often spotted her on campus. She even seemed to have gotten herself a new boyfriendâa green-eyed international student who was taking STHEE. Since there were few green-eyed international students in the university, Bailey naturally became the most conspicuous as he was also the most handsome among them all.
Finally, Flynn managed to ambush Bailey and Carmen who came out on a bicycle after having kept watch at the university gates multiple times. Seething, he stopped them on the spot. âGet down from there, Carmen Fletcher!â
Braking, Bailey stared at him coldly. Flynn, on the other hand, rushed over in a few strides to grab Carmen. âThis is your boyfriend? A self-taught examinee with no future to speak of?â he lambasted.
Carmen nudged her glasses. âWhat a lunatic! Letâs go, Bailey.â
Right now, Bailey wasnât in the mood to contend with Flynn either, since he had to rush back to Carmenâs house for dinner. Thus, he pedaled the bicycle to leave, but unexpectedly, Flynn held his bicycle still. âYouâre not allowed to leave!â he barked. Iâm just about to lose my mind! How could she find such a worthless boyfriend? As her ex-boyfriend, I really canât take it! âYou must dump him today!
Thereâs no future in getting together with this man!â he threatened.
At this, Carmen got off the bicycle to reason with him amicably. To their surprise, a pale and slender yet harsh hand suddenly shot out from behind the arrogant Flynn and grabbed him by the collar effortlessly. In the next instance, a wintry female voice cut through the air like a sharp blade, piercing right into Flynnâs ear. âKid, if you continue harassing my sister, Iâll make your life a living hell.â
âWhoâs this?â Flynn glanced over his shoulder indignantly, only to see a lady who was about his height standing behind him, looking all formidable in military uniform.
It was the military training day for freshmen on the next day, so people from the military were already here. Military green buses were also parked in the campus since all freshmen would be going to military camp the next morning for military training. Therefore, it was no surprise to see people in military uniform within campus.
The moment Flynn saw the lady, all the arrogance in his expression drained away because he glimpsed a pair of green eyes. The Fletcher Family had always been the director of Bayside Universityâs military training. In the past, Joel had been the one in charge, but he retired the year before. Thus, he was replaced by someone else who also had the last name Fletcher, and it was a woman at that.
Rumor had it that the woman was extremely capable, having achieved extraordinary prestige in the military at a young age. She was the eldest daughter of Joel, who was the patriarch of the Fletcher Family, and she was no less competent than her father. It was her first time handling the military training last year, and the sophomores were still wearing terrified expressions when they spoke of her, for she was even more brutal than her father! That woman had a pair of unique green eyes, a rare mixed-blood military officer in the Cethosian military. Military officers dubbed her âSteely Green-Eyed Military Beautyâ, and her name was Lorelei Fletcher.
At this moment, Flynn noticed the pair of green eyes. As his eyes moved toward her military uniform, his heart jolted, and he froze from abject fright. Itâs Lorelei Fletcher!
Lorelei, on the other hand, had committed his countenance to memory. Then, she ordered the deputy officer beside her, âDeputy Washington, remember this face and take âgood careâ of him in the following month.â
Deputy Washington glanced at Flynn. Heâs very easy to remember. His face seems to be carved from the same mold as Taylor Murray. Nodding, he solemnly replied, âUnderstood, General.â This kid is done for.
Flynn was so terrified that he almost went to his knees, and even his tongue was in knots. âGeneral, Iâ¦â