Chapter 523: A Powerful Slap in the Face (5)
Chapter 523: Chapter 523: A Powerful Slap in the Face (5)
Susan Caldwell was taken aback for a moment and subconsciously asked, "Mom, don’t you have work tomorrow?"
Winter Sullivan said nonchalantly, "I do. I just have to move some time off around. The leave I’ve accumulated over the years adds up to a full year, so I don’t mind taking one day."
She was a notorious workaholic. Overtime at the research institute could be taken as compensatory time off, but she had spent practically every day of the past few years holed up in the lab. Vacations were something that never seemed to apply to her.
Susan Caldwell was a little surprised. Winter Sullivan looked at her and asked, "What? You’re not happy about me taking you to school tomorrow?"
Her relationship with Susan wasn’t exactly good, and she hadn’t fulfilled many of her duties as a mother. She hoped that taking Susan to school tomorrow would be a chance to mend their strained relationship.
"Of course not." Susan Caldwell forced a smile. "I’m happy you’re taking me to school, Mom. Of course I am."
Sheldon Caldwell, however, let out a dramatic squawk. "Mom, you’re playing favorites! You’ve never taken me to school!"
"You’re a grown man and you still need your mom to take you? Have you no shame?" Winter Sullivan shot him a glare.
Sheldon Caldwell pouted. "You never took me when I was a little boy, either!"
"As far as I’m concerned, boys are grown men the moment they’re born." A smile touched Winter Sullivan’s lips. "So you don’t need me to take you."
Sheldon Caldwell let out a dramatic wail. "I’ve never met such a heartless mom!"
Despite his words, he walked over and began to massage Winter Sullivan’s shoulders. "Still, my mom’s the best. Other kids have moms who are all delicate and dainty, but my mom can blast everyone to kingdom come with a single cannon shot! You’re so cool!"
Winter Sullivan swatted his hand. "All you do is spout nonsense. Are cannons something to be used carelessly?"
Watching the mother and son banter, Susan Caldwell unconsciously ground her teeth. Every time she saw them interact like this, she felt as if she didn’t belong in this family—that she was an outsider.
’But I’m the one who got into Veridia University. I’m supposed to be the main character now!’
In the end, both Winter Sullivan and Sheldon Caldwell went to take her to school the next day.
The next morning, as the three of them drove to the university, she listened to Winter and Sheldon making small talk. They were talking about military matters, and she couldn’t understand a single word. A suspicion immediately formed in her mind: ’Winter only said she wanted to take me to school because it was an excuse to chat with Sheldon.’
The mother and son were usually very busy and didn’t get to see each other often, so they cherished whatever time they had together.
Nathaniel Nathan had just returned to his military base and was swamped with work, so he didn’t take Vera Xavier to the university. He knew that with Vera’s personality, she wouldn’t need him to, anyway. ’Having a wife who’s so independent, self-reliant, and not at all clingy is both a comfort and a little sad,’ he thought.
In this life, Vera Xavier didn’t really know anyone in Veridia, so she came to the university by herself.
She arrived at the registration area early, so there weren’t many people around yet.
She hadn’t brought much with her, just a small rolling cart for her dorm room essentials.
She walked over, calm and composed, a stark contrast to the other students who were accompanied by their parents and lugging all manner of bags and boxes.
She calmly admired the campus scenery, unaware that she herself had become the view for others.
She was naturally fair-skinned and beautiful. That, combined with her aura of calm poise and the well-tailored clothes that draped her graceful figure, created a unique impression. Her curves weren’t overtly voluptuous or exquisitely delicate, but instead projected an air of effortless, casual grace.