2024-09-08 19:31:08However, upon entering, Heidi Cooper noticed Maria Long, Stephen Cooper, and Fiona Cooper sitting at the dining table, staring at each other. The atmosphere felt a bit off.
"Um, what's going on? Why isn't anyone talking? Where's brother-in-law?" Heidi sat down cautiously, sensing the unusual atmosphere.
"What brother-in-law are you talking about?" Maria Long asked with a displeased expression.
"What? Joseph Wilson, my brother-in-law," Heidi was momentarily confused.
"He's not your brother-in-law anymore," Maria Long said with disdain.
"What? How is he not my brother-in-law anymore?" Heidi was completely baffled.
"I divorced him. He's already left," Fiona said coldly.
"What? Divorced?"
"Sis, are you crazy? Why did you drive him away? What did he do to offend you?" Heidi was perplexed.
"He and I are from two different worlds. I, Fiona Cooper, look down on men like him," Fiona said with indifference.
"No, I don't know how he falls short. He's always been diligent, honest, and humble."
"You don't want to marry that Charles Martin, do you? Sis, you've gone mad. Charles Martin is not a good person," Heidi said, utterly bewildered.
"I never said I wanted to marry anyone. Eat your food," Fiona said emotionlessly, poking at her rice bowl.
"Calling him brother-in-law all day long, what's so good about that loser? Eat your food. Do you need to manage your sister's affairs? Why do you care so much about that Joseph?" Maria Long said irritably.
"Enough, let's all eat. Stop discussing that outsider," Stephen Cooper finally spoke.
"You..." Heidi was momentarily speechless.
"Enough, stop talking. Just eat!" Maria Long gave Heidi a turkey leg, trying to shut her up.
Heidi had nothing to say. She instinctively took a bite, but as soon as the food entered her mouth, she spat it out with a disgusted expression.
"Pfft... Pfft! What the hell is this? Why is the food so awful today? What's going on?" Heidi looked miserable.
"Awful? How is it awful? Your mom was busy today, so your dad cooked. Just make do with it!" Maria Long glared at Heidi.
"Mom, you have no self-awareness about your culinary skills. Your cooking is even worse than Dad's. I'm not eating. This life is unbearable. I'll go eat instant noodles by myself." Heidi stood up and returned to her room in a huff.
"Hey, you..." Maria Long was helpless seeing this.
"Is it really that bad?" Maria Long couldn't quite believe it.
"It's a bit unpleasant," Fiona had already eaten some. Although it was bearable, the food couldn't compare to what Joseph cooked.
Maria Long also tasted a bite.
"Pfft, pfft..." As soon as the food entered her mouth, she spat it out.
Stephen Cooper watched this scene with an innocent expression. His cooking skills were poor, but Maria Long's were even worse. Fiona took after her mother, with a similar level of skill.
"Stephen Cooper, what are you doing? You can't even cook a few dishes properly. Is salt free?" Maria Long exploded in anger.
"You've all gotten used to that loser's cooking. Besides, as a grown man, I can't spend all day studying how to cook, right?" Stephen Cooper said, a bit exasperated.
"I'm full. I'll go back to my room first," Fiona stood up and left for her room.
Maria Long and Stephen Cooper sat at the table, both in a bad mood.
"We can't go without eating in the future. Let's hire a housekeeper," after a long while, Maria Long finally spoke.
"That's the only way," Stephen Cooper also had a sullen expression, looking at the table full of dishes, feeling quite helpless.
Heidi returned to her room, still full of resentment.
"What's the big deal? Who does she think she is? She really considers herself a goddess? You're so high and mighty, you're so great, no man in this world is worthy of you," Heidi tossed her things on the bed, grumbling incessantly.
After taking off her outer clothes, she lay directly on the bed and took out her phone. She found Joseph's phone number and called him right away.
"Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently switched off. Please try again later," the voice prompt indicating the phone was off came from the other end.
"What's going on? Why is it switched off?" Heidi tried calling several more times, but the message remained the same.
Left with no choice, she could only send messages.
"Brother-in-law, where did you go? Why is your phone switched off?"
"Brother-in-law, what's wrong? Are you okay? Reply to me when you see the message!"
"Brother-in-law, you're not thinking of doing something stupid like committing suicide, are you? Don't do anything foolish. If you need any help, just tell me..."
"Brother-in-law, can you at least reply? You're making me really worried about you..."
"Brother-in-law?"
"..."
Heidi sent many messages in a row. She lost count of how many she had sent.
Previously, Joseph's phone was always accessible 24/7, and he would reply to messages instantly. He never disappeared like this and was basically available whenever needed, always responding to everything.
After sending numerous messages, she finally stopped.
Perhaps brother-in-law was heartbroken and didn't want to see anyone from the Cooper family anymore. It made sense. All these years, this family had always treated him as an outsider.
Thinking this way, Heidi stood up, took her cup, and went out to get some water.
"Joseph Wilson? Joseph Wilson? Get me a glass of water. Also, I'm going to wash my feet. Prepare the foot bath water for me," at this moment, Fiona's voice came from her room. Hearing these words, Heidi was a bit exasperated.
"Joseph, are you deaf or dead? Can't you hear me talking?" When there was no response, Fiona stormed out of the room.
"Sis, are you crazy? What Joseph? Didn't you drive Joseph away?"
"From now on, get your own foot bath water. Or see if Charles Martin, whom you'll marry in the future, is willing to get foot bath water for you," Heidi shook her head and sighed.
Hearing these words, Fiona remembered that Joseph had left and felt awkward.
"I... forgot," Fiona opened her mouth, but in the end, only uttered this sentence.
"He's a man, after all. Don't keep ordering him around. People have dignity. Serving you all day and getting scolded. He must feel liberated now. You're on your own!" Heidi took a sip of water and slowly walked back to her room.
Hearing Heidi's words, Fiona rubbed her forehead.
"Am I going crazy? Joseph is gone. Why am I calling for him? What an exhausting day," Fiona sighed, shook her head, and also returned to her room.
Back in the room, Fiona sat down and wearily slumped over the table.
A few minutes later, she took out her phone and stared at it, lost in thought.
"Did I... go too far?" After a long while, Fiona murmured this sentence.
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“Don’t you think Professor Wilson is incredibly young?” Laura said, peeking out the window to glance at Joseph’s car. “That’s obvious, isn’t it? You don’t need to point it out,” Richard replied, growing impatient. “He’s young, talented, and good-looking. He’s not much older than our daughter,” Laura continued, her tone thoughtful. “That car out there—that’s his, right? It’s beautiful. Must’ve cost a fortune.” “Of course, it’s a luxury vehicle. Easily worth a million. If we sold our house, we might just be able to afford it. What, are you interested in him now?” Richard joked. “You’re so inappropriate! Do I look like someone who’d attract a man like him?!” Laura shot back, punching him lightly on the shoulder. “Then what’s the point of all this?” Richard asked with a chuckle. “Didn’t you notice the way our daughter was looking at Professor Wilson? There’s something… peculiar about it,” Laura said, a sly smile spreading across her face. “Peculiar? How so? I didn’t notice anythin
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“Can you imagine a woman who doesn’t like shopping, doesn’t enjoy socializing, and spends all her time going back and forth between her office and the lab? That’s Mason Alvarez. She’s incredibly hardworking.” Alice explained with a laugh, but her tone carried genuine admiration for Mason Alvarez. “That may be true, but does that justify buying me this shirt? Is this really something an adult would do?” Joseph gestured at the Mickey Mouse print on his chest, utterly exasperated. “Why don’t you ever buy me something like this?” He shot Alice a pointed look. “Because I’m different. I’ve been observing you since we were kids—I know what you like to eat, what habits you have, and what kind of clothes suit you. I even browse shopping websites sometimes to figure out what styles would look good on you.” “Stuff like this isn’t something you’re born knowing. It takes time and effort.” Alice’s explanation was matter-of-fact, but her tone was warm. “You actually spend time researching t
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Watching him leave, Mason blinked a few times, then returned to her work. Ten minutes later, Joseph sent Mason a photo. It was a picture of the shirt she’d bought him. On the right side of the chest was a cheerful, oversized Mickey Mouse graphic. “Professor Alvarez, do you even know how to shop for men’s clothes? What is this? Do you think a man in his twenties should be wearing something like this?” Joseph’s tone was filled with disbelief as he stared at himself in the mirror, his face dark with frustration. “Uh… I guess I don’t. Didn’t I tell you I’ve never had a boyfriend? The only man I’ve ever bought clothes for is my dad.” “You specifically told me not to buy something that looks like something my dad would wear, so I thought I’d go for something youthful. Don’t you think Mickey Mouse is cute?” Mason genuinely thought she’d made a thoughtful choice. “Youthful? This doesn’t make me look youthful—it makes me look childish!” Joseph was utterly exasperated. He was starting
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Joseph looked up briefly, noting her troubled demeanor. What was with this woman? She’d gone out looking fine and returned with the weight of the world on her shoulders. As he pondered this, his phone vibrated softly. Joseph casually took a sip of water and picked up his phone, only to freeze as he saw the message on Facebook. “Professor Wilson, let’s go on a blind date.” The words stared back at him. “Pfft—cough, cough, cough…” Joseph choked on his water, nearly spraying it everywhere.“What’s wrong, Professor Wilson?” Mason Alvarez turned to Joseph, her expression all innocence. “Nothing, just choked on some water.” Joseph waved his hand dismissively, clearly exasperated. “Oh, in that case, carry on drinking.” Hearing this, Mason turned her attention back to her work, seemingly unconcerned. “Professor Wilson, would you like me to give you a couple of acupuncture needles? It’ll help you recover in no time,” Brady Rogers chimed in. “No need, thank you.” Joseph waved him o
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“Director Myers, you’re absolutely right. But marriage and love are matters of fate, not something you can force. It’s not that I’m unwilling—it’s just that I haven’t met the right person yet.” Mason replied with impeccable politeness. “Not meeting the right person, that’s exactly the problem! You spend all your time buried in your office and the lab—how are you supposed to meet anyone?” “Do you remember when you were studying in Metropolis City? I mentioned our academy’s new hire, Dr. Charles Martin.” “I think you two are a perfect match. And, to be honest, Dr. Martin has a great impression of you. I was thinking of playing matchmaker—maybe set up a dinner, watch a movie, and who knows? Sparks might fly.” Lincoln’s tone was that of a well-meaning elder, full of persuasion. “Dr. Charles Martin? Yes, I remember him. You even showed me his photo before, and I added him on Facebook. I have a vague impression.” “But I’ve really been swamped lately. Dinner and movies will have to wa
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What does this mean? she thought, her frustration mounting. It means he’s deliberately ignoring me! The idea made her blood boil. With her looks and charm, she was used to people eagerly texting her, hoping for a reply, or even going out of their way to get her attention. But now, everything was reversed. Joseph not only ignored her but also seemed to find her a nuisance. "Why aren’t you replying to me, you jerk? Do you think ignoring me will make me pay more attention to you?" she typed furiously, sending another message. This time, she stole a glance at Joseph as he picked up his phone again. Finally, after a moment, he typed something back. "Are you insane? Can you stop? It’s work hours—I don’t have time to chat with you." "And trying to get your attention? What kind of over-the-top romance novels have you been reading?" Joseph hit send without hesitation. Mason Alvarez’s face turned red as she read the message. Anger bubbled up inside her, but she forced herself to stay cal
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Deciding not to engage further, he put his phone away. Ten minutes later, Mason Alvarez stormed into the office, her usual dramatic flair on full display. "Wait, Professor Wilson, why are you wearing Rogers’ shirt?" she asked, glancing at him before tossing a neatly packaged shirt onto his desk. "Here, I bought this for you. Consider it compensation." She didn’t even seem to notice that Felix Baker and Brady Rogers were also in the office. Joseph looked at her, utterly speechless. The excuse he had painstakingly crafted about the tree branch was now completely ruined. Felix and Brady’s gazes grew increasingly suspicious as they darted back and forth between him and Mason. "Your shirt is still at my dorm. I washed it, and once it’s dry, I’ll return it to you," Mason added casually, completely oblivious to how her words sounded to the others. It was only then that she noticed the strange looks from Felix and Brady. "Mason, why is Professor Wilson’s shirt at your dorm?" Felix aske
