Chapter 1434
Kevin, representing Harmony County, participated in the essay competition and proudly returned with an eighth-place finish. His achievement was celebrated by the school, leaving even August with nothing to criticize, and deepening Laura’s admiration for him. Kevin’s mother, Bethany, was overjoyed upon hearing of his success and called him to offer her congratulations.
Oliver, the principal of Sunset Valley High, felt a great sense of pride and commended Audrey, Kevin’s mentor, during a school staff meeting. Audrey, in return, received a well-deserved reward of five thousand dollars.
That evening, under the arrangement of Assistant Principal Alissa, the office staff gathered at Fresh Fusion for a celebratory dinner. The occasion was threefold: to honor the recent accolades, to bid farewell to Vanessa, who was transferring to the city bureau, and Ethan's return.
Ethan had returned the previous weekend, after spending less than three months working in West Stream Town. Unable to adapt to the grassroots environment, he had reapplied to continue teaching at Sunset Valley High. Many felt it was a pity; had he stayed for three years, the school might have offered him a more substantial position upon his return. Now, having left prematurely, it seemed his efforts had been in vain.
Audrey observed Ethan and noted the changes in him over the past few months. His complexion had darkened, he looked significantly more worn out, and a few new strands of grey hair were visible. She couldn't help but acknowledge the toll that working at the grassroots level had taken on him, turning the once youthful man into someone who seemed much older.
However, after his grassroots experiences, Ethan had become more composed and mature, no longer appearing as fragile and lacking depth as before.
Alissa raised her glass and smiled at Vanessa,, "Vanessa, here's to your promotion. I'm so proud of you."
Vanessa, dressed in a cream-colored wool sweater with her hair in a neat bun, looked both stylish and elegant. Her red lips and white teeth contrasted sharply with her former flamboyant style. She wore a black pleated skirt that accentuated her long and shapely legs, complemented by nude tights and black ankle boots, adding a touch of allure.
Giggling at Alissa's toast, Vanessa replied, "Thank you, Alissa."
Their colleagues chimed in, insisting that Vanessa was being overly modest and that she was destined for great success. They all raised their glasses in a cheerful toast, and the atmosphere grew increasingly lively.
Alissa then turned to Ethan and expressed, "Ethan, this second toast is for you. Hooray for your return."
"Alissa, thank you. Thank you, everyone." Ethan expressed with gratitude, nearly spilling tears as he quickly raised his glass and drank it down. The simplicity and sincerity of Alissa's words touched him deeply.
His months in West Stream Town had indeed been challenging. The work environment in the rural areas was vastly different from that of the school, as he had to deal directly with the grassroots population. The work was intricate and demanding, often met with misunderstanding. Many villagers held outdated attitudes and exhibited a lack of motivation; no matter what policies were introduced, implementation was frequently hindered. Furthermore, tensions between the villagers and local officials compounded these difficulties.
While working in the countryside, Ethan realized that the job was far from his idealistic expectations. Although the county allocated funds to the township government, only about a third actually reached the villagers, with the rest being misappropriated under various pretexts. Embezzlement among town officials was rampant.
He attended several dinners with his supervisor, Grant, where the cost of one meal was equivalent to a poor family's annual expenses. There were also instances of village officials falsifying records to classify their relatives as impoverished, thereby diverting aid from those genuinely in need. When Ethan voiced his concerns to Grant, he received a dismissive response: this was the reality of grassroots work, and all they could do was bide their time and await promotion.
Burdened by his conscience and an affair with Cecilia from the town government, which left him in constant fear of discovery, Ethan's anxiety grew. Nights were sleepless, leading to near nervous breakdowns. In the end, he had no choice but to apply for a transfer back to Sunset Valley High.
As Ethan looked around at his familiar colleagues and listened to their conversations about school, he felt like a fish returned to the ocean after nearly drying out on land, finally able to swim freely again. Most importantly, he was able to see Audrey once more.
After several months, Audrey appeared even more youthful and beautiful. Dressed in a gray knit sweater and jeans, she exuded vibrant energy and a fresh elegance. Her ample bosom was still as captivating as ever. At that moment, she was listening to Alissa and other colleagues with a sweet smile on her face and affectionate eyes, radiating the charm of a mature woman. Her skin was smooth and glowing, devoid of the former melancholy and aloofness.
Perhaps her relationship with her husband had improved, Ethan thought, feeling increasingly despondent as he drank in silence, quickly becoming intoxicated. His head started to ache, and his stomach felt uneasy, so he stumbled out of the private room.
Audrey had been keeping an eye on Ethan. Noticing his pallor, she became concerned and followed him out. She found him crouched by the bushes near the entrance, vomiting. Gently patting his back, she said softly, "Ethan, feeling better? Is there something bothering you? I know you have a bad alcohol tolerance."
Ethan turned to look at Audrey's lovely face, and a wave of warmth surged through him. Unable to resist, he stood up and grabbed her hand, speaking with the boldness of inebriation, "Ms. Johnson, you're so good to me. I've always wanted to tell you something, but I've been afraid you'd be upset."
Audrey tried to pull her hand away, but Ethan's grip was too tight. She remarked, "Ethan, calm down. All the teachers from our office are here. Don't be impulsive. Let's discuss whatever is troubling you tomorrow at school. Please, let go of my hand."
"I won't let go," Ethan responded, gripping her even tighter and speaking incoherently. "Ms. Johnson, I like you. Ever since you first came to Sunset Valley High, I've liked you. I’ve wanted to tell you for years. Jason isn't a good husband. You should leave him. I can make you happy."
"Ethan, let go of me," Audrey pleaded, struggling desperately as Ethan's words grew more outrageous. However, Ethan, already strong and now emboldened by alcohol, didn't release her. Instead, he pulled her into his embrace.
Ethan's chest pressed against Audrey's ample bosom. The intoxicating physical contact excited him to no end, causing an instant reaction in his penis. Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around Audrey's waist, thrusting his hips towards her. Despite the layers of clothing, he could feel the fullness of her body. This was Audrey's figure, which countless men must have dreamed of. The reality was even more delightful. He felt a surge of exhilaration. He wanted Audrey; she should be his, not Jason's.
"Ethan, let go!" Audrey's face turned cold as she twisted her body, her breasts and hips brushing against him, inadvertently causing a physiological reaction. Suddenly, she raised her hand and slapped Ethan across the face.
The blow stunned Ethan, and he instinctively let her go, staring at Audrey in a daze. As he realized the gravity of his mistake, he stammered, "Ms. Johnson, I'm sorry for everything I did!" He then began slapping his own face in remorse.
"That's enough, Ethan," Audrey said with a sigh, understanding her colleague well enough to know he wasn't usually this rash. She knew he was a decent person caught up in a moment of impulse. "Let's pretend this never happened. Just go home for now."
Ethan was overwhelmed with shame. Seeing the wary look in Audrey's eyes, he knew he had irrevocably lost her trust. A wave of despair hit him as he cast a long, sorrowful glance at Audrey before stumbling away like a broken man.
Watching Ethan's dejected figure retreat, Audrey felt a mix of emotions. She did have a bit of affection for him. He was kind-hearted, always willing to help, and diligent in his work, never complaining. He was also attentive to her needs. Besides Alissa, Ethan was the person she trusted most in the office.
"Audrey, why did Ethan leave alone?" someone suddenly asked from behind. Audrey turned to see Vanessa, dressed in a navy blue fitted jacket that accentuated her slender, elegant figure. Vanessa had a natural presence that seemed more suited to a chic secretary or a competent assistant rather than a teacher.
"He had some family matters to attend to ," Audrey offered a quick excuse to brush off further inquiries.
"Come on, Audrey. I saw everything," Vanessa said as she walked over with a knowing smile. "To be honest, Ethan's got a pretty good situation. He has a house, a car; he's an only child, and his parents are both well-off, with no significant burdens. He's much better off than Jason. You're just too stubborn. What’s the point of staying in such a marriage?"
Audrey instinctively wanted to argue but found herself at a loss for words. She could only remain silent. Her relationship with Jason was like expired frozen fish sitting in the freezer—unpleasant to consume, yet hard to discard.
Since her return from Imperial City, their communication had dwindled to a monthly phone call, which was painfully mundane. Jason would inquire about her father's health and her work, seldom mentioning his own situation and showing none of his former ambition. He merely mentioned he was looking for a job that would be an improvement over the last.
Audrey listened quietly, no longer urging Jason to return to Harmony County. With Kevin by her side, her expectations for Jason had diminished. Moreover, the USB drive containing the damning sex videos lingered in her mind like a thorn, constantly reminding her of her husband's betrayal.
Of course, Audrey had also gotten involved with Kevin. Although she tried to justify it as revenge against her husband, deep down she knew that she had already emotionally and physically given in before leaving for Imperial City. It was not a matter of who wronged whom first; it was simply the cruel irony of fate.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
