Chapter 1288

Julian’s Stand-In Wife chapter 1288 Julian departed after he spoke his piece, leaving Noel in a daze.

Regardless of whether Noel could comprehend or achieve it, Julian believed he had given enough guidance.

If Noel still didn’t understand…

Well, he might never find a bride.

A sly smile graced Julian’s face as he walked briskly toward the bedroom.

Ever since Jim returned to the Hughes Manor, it seemed as though every member of the Hughes family had an invisible silencer installed in their ears.

No one seemed to hear what others were saying, and no one was talking. The entire family was quieter than pin-drop silence. Even the servants brought tea and water with lightened footsteps.

Clank.

When the teacup was placed on the table, it made a soft noise. Before Jim could turn to look, the servant who had brought the tea knelt down on the ground. She trembled violently, and begged, “I’m so sorry, Master Jim. I didn’t do it on purpose!”

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.

This servant was quite attractive, and looked good in the servants’ uniform.

Yet Jim only glanced at her briefly, and said, “It’s alright.”

Just as he finished speaking, someone came over, covered her mouth, and dragged her out.

Soon, a muffled thud came from outside. It was the same young servant who had been taken away just now.

“The Hughes family is strict. It’s not that I didn’t want to spare her,” Jim said, as he wiped his hands with a warm white towel. He looked at the man across him, whose face had turned slightly pale. “It’s just that the housekeeper is strict. I hope you won’t take offense, Mr. Channing.”

The thudding sound of the stick striking the servant continued.

Simon’s eyes twitched. He felt a bit suffocated.

He took a slow breath, and looked at the man before him. Jim seemed kind, but was far from the image he portrayed.

“I understand,” Simon said.

He raised his teacup and looked at the spread of food on the table, pretending nothing had happened.

He made an effort not to pay attention to the sounds outside.

“Thank you for the hospitality, Mr. Hughes.”

“You’re welcome,” Jim replied. “If it weren’t for the car breaking down halfway and you offering me a ride, my latest project would have been delayed.”

He spoke casually, making it sound like a series of coincidences had brought them together today. It was as if they had ended up at the same table by chance.

However, only Simon knew how much he had sacrificed to create this opportunity. Even the car with the flat tire Jim had encountered on the road was the result of Simon’s considerable efforts to disable it in advance.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t have blown out halfway. Simon wouldn’t have coincidentally appeared behind his vehicle, kindly inquiring about the situation and heading to the same destination.

That was how Simon drove Jim to his lab as quickly as possible.

Only heaven knew how horrified Simon had felt when he saw James’s face especially when James failed to recognize him and treated him as a complete stranger.

Seeing James and his entirely different demeanor left Simon trembling.

Combined with the muffled sounds of beatings from outside, this meal was almost impossible for him to swallow.

However, to prevent Jim from realizing that something was amiss, Simon engaged in constant conversation with him at the dining table.

Jim was very interested in medicine, especially traditional medicine. Simon had already done extensive research before coming, so he could just about hold a conversation on the topic.

“I happen to be interested in this field of business,” Simon said, following his preconceived plan. “But not in drug development like you, Professor Hughes.

That’s too advanced for me. I’m just an ordinary person.”

When Jim met Simon earlier, the latter was driving a Bentley. There was no way Simon could be an ordinary person.