Chapter 286 Life changing
Oliver furrowed his brows as he gazed at the pasta inside the food container. At the same time, the seafood soup that Natalie made for him in the past appeared in his mind.
The pasta Susan made was simple and had remained unchanged over the years.
Natalie, however, would meticulously consider both the pairing and nutritional value when cooking, using a more diverse array of ingredients.
"I’ll eat it later," Oliver said.
Susan's eyes sparkled with happiness, and she offered Oliver a sweet smile. "As long as you’re willing to eat it, I’m more than happy to cook for you from now on!"
Upon hearing the phrase ‘from now on’, Oliver’s eyebrows twitched imperceptibly, feeling inexplicably resistant to that idea. At the same time, Natalie appeared in his mind.
"Susan, I called you here to discuss this. What’s happening?" Oliver asked, pulling out his phone to show her the news article.
“I… I just returned to the country and wanted some publicity, so I… I… I’m sorry. I didn’t expect this to cause the netizens to speculate so much,” Susan explained, stealing a glance at Oliver. Although he was expressionless, she could sense his emotions at this moment.
“I really just wanted some publicity, and I didn’t anticipate the rumors would spiral out of control. I should’ve known the netizens would speculate and that the media thrive on scandals,” Susan added. She did not deny her knowledge of the situation. Since Oliver called her here, it was clear he was aware of her involvement with the media. Needless to say, despite her words, she had anticipated this to happen. She knew the news article would guide the public opinion. In fact, even without her involvement, the media would not have given up on this chance.
Oliver flicked open his lighter, producing a sharp metallic sound, and lit a cigarette. In the glow of the flame, Susan found him to be both alluring and rebellious; she was mesmerized. However, she also knew that this was a subtle sign of Oliver’s unease.
"Did this matter affect you negatively?” Susan asked worriedly, “Did your wife misunderstand you or something? If so, I can explain the matter to her.”
Susan paused before she pouted and said in defense of Oliver, “However, you’re really innocent. She shouldn’t have doubted you.”
Oliver worried that Susan's attempt to explain might inadvertently remind Natalie of Flora and Arthur's situation. It was not merely their differing social standings that had kept Flora and Arthur apart, but also Susan's feelings for Arthur and Oliver's protective stance over Susan.
Natalie was always quick to stand up for those she cared about. Having nearly ended up in the sea for Flora's sake, it was likely that she would cause a scene if she learned of his involvement in Flora's matter.
Oliver reflected on the previous day - there were several reasons he had agreed to pick Susan up from the airport. He had promised her over the phone, she was unfamiliar with Paykston, lacking family members or friends here, and she held a special place in his memories of youth and childhood.
The request to bring flowers was made by Susan, and Oliver recognized it as a matter of courtesy. However, Susan's unexpected embrace took him by surprise. He disliked physical contact with others, except Natalie.
At that time, he had frowned, and Susan quickly released him, apologizing, "Sorry, I forgot you don’t like physical contact."
Oliver nodded and said, "Arthur isn’t here."
He had assumed her visit was due to Arthur.
Susan's smile momentarily faltered, but she quickly recovered, maintaining her composure. "I’ve come to realize that Arthur doesn’t like me, and it doesn’t matter. There’ll be others who like me.”
Oliver felt a sense of relief. "It is good that you have come to this realization."
Knowing his younger brother well, Oliver was aware that Arthur's heart only had Flora, and he would remain loyal to her. Oliver did not dwell on this matter. However, he pondered why Susan had suddenly moved on from her decade-long affection for Arthur.
In fact, Susan had not truly moved on. Instead, she had shifted her affections to a new target!
Susan stared at Oliver. If it were not for Natalie, perhaps she might not have realized her feelings for Oliver. Compared to Arthur, Oliver had always treated her with greater kindness, and she found him to be far more impressive.
The steam from the pasta slowly dissipated, and the warmth ebbed away.
Oliver looked at it for a moment before he picked up his fork. He hesitantly took a bite, immediately furrowing his brows in disappointment. The pasta was not exactly tasteless, yet it fell significantly short of the food Natalie made/
Oliver's mind wandered back to when he was fifteen. The car accident marked a pivotal moment in his life. This tragedy heralded a series of misfortunes inflicted upon him by the Windsor family.
Once celebrated as a prodigious young man, he was given a series of dire diagnoses by doctors, lost the ability to feel his legs, was unable to stand, and even lost his sight. Confined to a wheelchair and dependent on others, he lived through a perpetual nightmare of darkness, pain, and a profound sense of despair about his future.
Throughout the ordeal, Susan was a constant presence, supporting him through his rehabilitation.
The rigors of intensive rehabilitation took a toll on him, both physically and mentally, rendering him irritable, angry, and on the verge of giving up on himself. Yet, Susan remained steadfastly by his side, offering encouragement.
The moment Oliver regained his vision, Susan was the first person he saw.
His severe lack of appetite was a result of the accident. During his recovery, an incident of food poisoning led to a deep-seated aversion to eating. During his blindness, the pasta made by Susan was the sole comfort that eased his psychological defenses.
In gratitude, Oliver resolved to look after Susan. Aware of her affection for Arthur, he even went as far as instructing Arthur to keep her company.
In the present, Oliver set his fork down and leaned back on the chair, massaging his forehead. He realized now how much things had changed.
The pasta no longer appealed to him as it once did, and its taste did not evoke the fond memories he once cherished.
Now, his thoughts were consumed by Natalie. Seeing Susan, whose features bore a resemblance to Natalie's, only intensified his yearning for Natalie. The more he dwelled on these thoughts, the more his annoyance grew.
Eventually, as the pasta cooled completely, Oliver decisively threw the pasta away.
Meanwhile, the three teams proceeded to the photoshoot. They were allowed to choose the location of the photoshoot as long as it was in the vicinity of the campus.
Each team was tasked with capturing and editing three photos within three hours, to be submitted to the production team.
Natalie's group, maintaining their efficiency, completed the task in less than half an hour.
Jacob, witnessing Natalie and Jane’s seamless collaboration, was once again struck by their tacit understanding of each other.
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