âBenedict Louis?â
Nelson tapped on the table with his fingers. Then, he asked, âDoes he hang out with Naomi frequently?â
Richard replied, âI think they do meet up quite often! I noticed that you were very concerned about it, so I took some time to look into it thoroughly for you.â
Nelson shot Richard a disdainful look. Then, Richard continued.
âBenedict is the eldest son of Amosâs good friend, Harley Louis. He has been on good terms with Naomi since he was young. Itâs said that the two families once thought about getting engaged, but Iâm unsure of why they didnât go through with it. However, my intel shows that Benedict has been extremely clingy with Naomi since they were both still very young. Whenever he is ill, he needs her by his side to get better.â
After Richard finished speaking, he couldnât help but sigh.
âThis sounds a bit unbelievable!â
Nelson frowned, âHe must have ulterior motives!â
âIâm not sure about that, but I think you might have a rival in love now!â
Nelson pursed his lips and grumbled, âI donât think a brat like him can be my rival in loveâ¦â
Just then, he saw the playful expression on Richardâs face before he could finish his sentence. Hence, he rolled his eyes at him.
âIt seems that you really want to be transferred back toâ¦â
âNo, I was just kidding! You donât have a rival in love, itâs just for our goal! Yes, itâs for our goal! So, how are you going to deal with this rival in love for the sake of our goal?â
Richard deliberately emphasized the word âgoalâ so Nelson couldnât berate him.
Nelson was annoyed but soon spoke again.
âIf Iâm not wrong, he should be a high school student?â
Richard shook his head while replying, âNope! He is very hardworking and smart. He managed to skip grades and complete all necessary education two years back. It is also said that he was accepted to Oxford University. However, due to his health, he is now a second-year sophomore in Rosaville City University.â
âRosaville City University?â
Nelson suddenly recalled something and he asked, âWe received an invitation from that university a few days ago, didnât we? They invited me to give a talk regarding architecture and design, am I right?â
Richard nodded in agreement, âYes, youâre right. Didnât you say that youâre not interested? Iâve asked someone to reject it for you.â
âNo! Iâm suddenly interested in it now! Have the secretary contact them and inform them Iâll arrive on time!â
Richard frowned, his brows furrowing in confusion. This time, his expression was serious as he advised, âMr. Luther, please forgive me for nagging you. Although we usually joke around, donât forget that we came here with a goal! We wonât be able to justify our actions to them later on. I hope you know what youâre doing. There are some things thatâ¦â
Nelson interrupted Richard, âI know! Donât worry, I wonât take unnecessary actions. My feelings died with the name âVincent Grangerâ more than ten years ago. The purpose of attending the talk is to improve my relationship with Naomi. I believe that if Benedict cares about Naomi so much, he will definitely invite her to join the talk!â
Richard nodded and replied, âOkay! Of course Iâll believe in you!â
â¦
Naomi got off work in the evening. When she went downstairs, she saw that Nelson was already waiting there for her.
He was leaning against his car, looking extremely charming.
When he noticed Naomi, he walked towards her.
âSince youâve injured your feet, itâll be inconvenient for you to go home by yourself. Thatâs why Iâm here to pick you up!â
Naomi was a little worried and muttered, âBut my fatherâ¦â
âItâs okay, Iâll just drop you off outside of your house, I wonât enter. Now, letâs get in the car!â
As he spoke, he supported her and helped her get into the car.
Naomi had no choice but to agree. Soon, the car started and they drove off. She turned around and suddenly noticed the weariness on Nelsonâs face.
âYou look like you didnât sleep well.â
Nelson was taken aback but he managed to reply, âOh, itâs just that Iâm a little busy at work. Iâm fine!â
Naomi smiled, âNo matter how busy you are at work, you have to take care of yourself. In the future, it would be best if you donât stay up too late!â
âOkay!â
Soon, they arrived at Clearwater Bay. After Nelson got out of the car with Naomi, he took out a bag from the backseat.
âThese are some shoes that I bought for you and some accessories to prevent your feet from being injured. I donât know which ones are good, so I bought all of them.â
Naomi was moved. Nelson was no longer the child from the past who used to cry a lot.
He had already grown into a composed man. However, at the thought of him buying such things for her, she felt as if she had returned to their childhood.
He was just like the kind and considerate boy that he was back then.
âThank you, Vincent.â
She accidentally blurted out.
The two of them were stunned for a moment, especially Nelson. his fingers tightened around the bag, a cold expression forming on his face.
Before Naomi could see it clearly, he had already stuffed the bag into her hands.
âI still have some things to do, I have to go now. Here you go.â
Naomi pursed her lips and still wanted to call out to him, but he had already gotten into the car and slipped away!
She hung her head in frustration and thought to herself, âDid I say something wrong? Why do I feel that he is always unhappy every time I call him Vincent?â
As she was buried in her thoughts, she heard a merry voice call out to her.
âNaomi, youâre back?â
Naomi asked curiously, âBenedict? Why are you here?â
Upon hearing that, Benedict grumbled, âWhat are you busy with recently? How could you forget that our families will have a gathering and have dinner together on the 15th every month.â
Naomi came to her senses and asked, âIs today the 15th?â
She had even forgotten about the day!
Benedict took the bag from her hands and asked, âWhat are these?â
Naomi snatched it away from him and answered, âItâs just some shoes. By the way, you should be in the dining room now. What are you doing here?â
Benedict said, âOh, itâs nothing. Did you buy some new shoes because your feet havenât recovered yet? Didnât you apply the ointment Iâ¦â
Naomi had already started spacing out towards the end of his words, so she could only mumble something else.
âI have and I feel much better now. By the way, donât change the subject! Why were you waiting for me outside?â
Benedict let out a laugh, âYou really know me best! In fact, our university is going to have an event soon. There will be talks and various performances from the clubs, including mine. Come with me and letâs go together!â
The club that Benedict was talking about was the chess club. He couldnât do too much exercise since he was a child due to his poor health. Therefore, he could only develop hobbies which were not physically demanding, such as playing chess.
He excelled at that though. He had already become quite famous in the country despite his young age.
Naomi nodded and replied, âSure, Iâll definitely go and see you!â
Benedict was on cloud nine. He exclaimed with great joy, âNaomi, you are the best!â
âHey! Show some respect please,â After Naomi finished speaking, she entered the house hurriedly.
Benedict scratched his head before following her inside.
As soon as she entered the door, she heard Thea chatting with her mother.
âBenedict went out early to wait for Naomi. They should be coming in soon. The more I look at them, the more I feel that they are a good match! Am I right, Eudora?â
Naomi was embarrassed and quickly butted in, â⦠Oh, Auntie Thea, youâre making fun of us again!â