The Next Morning at Mansion Weather
The morning sun crept shyly through the large glass windows of the dining room, shining on the luxurious, neatly arranged furnishings. The aroma of breakfast wafted softly through the air, but it failed to warm the cold, tense atmosphere at the table. Delson sat silently, his eyes downcast at his plate, his spoon moving slowly, pushing the food away rather than eating it.
Weather sat at the head of the table, his gaze piercing his son. His voice broke the silence, full of pressure.
"Your behavior last night was outrageous, Delson," he said coldly. "How could you so impolitely say you wanted to change your bride? Scopus and I arranged your marriage with Larin, not her brother. You heard it yourself; Zeya already has a fiancé."
Delson didn't answer, just clenched his jaw, holding back something he really wanted to say.
Weather continued, this time in a firmer, more insistent voice, "Dad doesn't want to know. After half of the lesson, go find Larin. Take her out. Buy her a gift. Show your apology for your behavior last night."
Delson remained silent, only feeding his food slowly, as if his mother's words were just a passing wind.
"Did you hear that?!" Weather snapped, making the teacups on the table vibrate. The atmosphere heated up.
Tanus, who was sitting on the other side, immediately intervened, his tone calm but firm. "Sir, isn't this a bit too much? Let our son choose. He's the one who will go through with his marriage, not us. If we force him, it won't be good for him."
Weather snorted, but Tanus continued in a soft but clear voice, "Delson will live with his partner. A partner for life is important. It must be one, and if possible, don't divorce—live together until you die, until you are old."
Tanus's words only made Weather even angrier. He turned sharply, his voice rising, "Shut up! I'm taking care of everything! Your job is just to take care of the household. I'm doing this for Delson's own good, too. We need to build connections to expand our company's network. Scopus offered Larin, and I simply complied. Besides, Zeya is already engaged, so even if Delson wanted her, it's impossible."
That last sentence was the end of Delson's patience. He put down his spoon with a thud, stood up, and grabbed his car keys without a word to his mother.
"Delson leaves first, Ma," he said shortly... but only to Tanus, not to Weather.
Weather glared angrily, her breath ragged with emotion. She stared at Tanus with disappointment and anger.
"Look at the child you raised. He doesn't even know manners, he doesn't respect me!" he exclaimed, then stood up and left the table quickly, taking his lingering anger with him.
Tanus could only stare at his wife's retreating back. He took a deep breath. His heart was filled with anxiety. He didn't want his son to be used as a pawn in a game of ambition. He wanted only one thing: Delson's happiness.
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Howard Campus – Morning
The Howard campus was still bustling with students milling about, some sitting in the park, others hurrying to class. However, many students' attention was suddenly diverted when Delson emerged from a newly parked luxury black car.
Delson stepped out, exuding an aura that made the entire area pause for a moment. He was no ordinary lecturer—young age, brilliant accomplishments, and of course... a look that could make your heart race. His face was perfectly symmetrical, with a sharp jawline and a piercing gaze. His coma-style hair looked neat and contemporary, pairing perfectly with the modern semi-formal suit that hugged his muscular frame.
He was towering in height, his body strong and athletic, masculine, with curvy shoulders and a broad chest visible even under his shirt. His walk was steady, confident, and exuded the charisma of a man who knew he was handsome and desirable.
It's no wonder the female students couldn't help but glance, whisper, and even smile shyly. Some dared to stare openly, hoping to catch a glimpse of a response from the young professor nicknamed "The Greek God of Howard College."
But Delson is different now. In the past, he was known as a top-notch playboy. In London, his love stories are scattered like dust on the streets. He falls in love easily—or perhaps more accurately, gets bored easily. He can change partners more than once in a week, even having three relationships simultaneously without feeling guilty. His charm and sweet seduction are powerful weapons that rarely fail.
But since meeting Zeya... all of that seemed to just disappear.
Delson became indifferent, indifferent to the women's hopeful gaze. He didn't even turn around when a female student deliberately dropped a book to get his attention. The focus is no longer on women trying to seduce-everything feels bland since Zeya's presence in his life.
As he was about to head to his office, Delson suddenly stopped. His eyes caught a familiar figure... Zeya. She had just emerged from the dean's office, carrying several files. Delson's gaze sharpened. Instead of turning toward his own office, his feet followed the woman's footsteps.
Quietly, in the silence of the campus hallway, Delson followed Zeya as she walked leisurely. He had no intention of speaking... yet. He just wanted... to be close. To observe.
Until finally they passed the deserted music room. Without thinking, Delson stepped quickly and grabbed Zeya's hand, dragging her into the room.
"Aah!" Zeya screamed in surprise, almost dropping the folder in her hands.
But the screams stopped abruptly when her body was gently but firmly pushed against the door. Delson stared at her intently—his black eyes sharp and deep, as if searching for an answer to something he had been keeping to himself.
Their distance was so close. Zeya's breath hitched, her eyes widened in disbelief. But her lips remained silent, held by the intensity of the man's gaze before her.
Delson kept looking at him, and in a low voice that was almost a whisper, he said:
"So Larin is your sister?" Delson asked, his breath heavy and his voice barely a whisper.
Zeya swallowed her saliva with a choked breath, "Please keep your boundaries, sir. We are on campus." Delson smiled with a mischievous look at Zeya's lips which looked fresh.
"So what? It would be a shock if everyone knew we were in the same club, let alone in the same room," Zeya immediately glared at Delson angrily, but she tried to calm down and control her expression out of respect for Delson as her lecturer.
Zeya averted her gaze and said, "Please don't keep bringing that up. I've already returned your money, and we didn't actually do it. It wasn't an accidental mistake. I was just working." Delson smiled, finding a woman like Zeya truly a rarity these days was truly fascinating.
"Okay, I'll keep this secret until I die, as long as you cancel your engagement and become my wife!" Zeya immediately stared at Delson in disbelief.