Chapter 1732
"I'm more into literature, but my mom's all about me going into a science major. Teaching's not my thing, and being a doctor? Nah, not for me," Kevin shrugged.
"Well, those fields are kinda fading out, and there's a ton of pressure to go into them. So, not going that route is smart," Maurice agreed. "Got any other ideas in mind?"
"I'm thinking about checking out architecture. Designing skyscrapers sounds pretty cool," Kevin grinned.
"Seems like a flashy gig, but it might not be as fulfilling as it looks. It depends on what you're into," Maurice said with a smile. "Anything else on your mind?"
"I was also considering mechanical engineering."
"Forget about that, not much of a future there," Maurice shook her head, shooting down the idea. Despite the country's focus on heavy industry, it's not a great personal choice in the long run.
Kevin tossed out a few more traditional majors, but Maurice shot each one down. Finally, she suggested, "You should think about big data or artificial intelligence. These fields are cutting-edge globally and are set to boom in the future. Take some time to explore them."
At first, Kevin had hoped for a more personal chat with Maurice, but the whole afternoon was spent listening to her break down the pros and cons of different majors, even diving into world affairs and economics, leaving him feeling overwhelmed.
Yet, he knew Maurice genuinely cared about him, and her words were truly eye-opening. He used to think good grades were everything, but Maurice stressed that picking the right path was more important than just working hard. Making the wrong choice in major or industry could lead to serious struggles, potentially messing up one's life.
"Kevin, you might not fully get what I'm saying now, but that's okay. You'll see as you gain more experience down the road," Maurice said.
Maurice didn't expect Kevin to have a total turnaround in just one afternoon. She simply wanted to instill some key life lessons in him early on, hoping to guide him away from unnecessary detours.
"I get it. Thanks, Maurice. No one's ever talked to me like this before," Kevin said sincerely. "I know you want to help me, and I'll take your advice to heart."
"Don't need to be so formal with me. Just put in the effort, and if you ever need a hand down the line, count on me," Maurice said with a slight smile, radiating a mature charm that was both captivating and intimidating.
As Kevin looked at the sophisticated and elegant middle-aged woman in front of him, he suddenly felt a dryness in his mouth and a strong physical reaction below. Among the middle-aged women he knew, Maurice's appearance and figure weren't the most striking. Evelyn was charming, Grace was fiery, Daisy was captivating, Willow was alluring, and Alissa was mysterious, each captivating in their way. Maurice, however, exuded a regal air of aloofness.
Her cool demeanor wasn't defensive like Audrey's or Kimberly's; it was more of a commanding presence, as if she held everyone's fate in her hands. This was a demeanor honed through years of exposure to aristocratic circles. While she seemed friendly and approachable, she also exuded an undeniable sense of authority.
In the past, when Maurice and her husband had disagreements, they never argued. Just a cold look from Maurice was enough to make Armando shake, pushing him to seek peace with his wife. If a county official like Armando could be cowed, other men didn't stand a chance.
Checking the time, nearly six in the evening, Maurice furrowed her brow and said, "The father-daughter duo still haven't come back. I'll make a call. Stick around for dinner tonight." Her tone was composed but left no room for refusal, displaying the dominance of someone long accustomed to power.
Watching Maurice head to the bedroom to make a call, Kevin thought of Audrey. He pondered how she was doing at the Egret Hot Springs Hotel and decided to give her a ring.
Yet, there was no answer on the other end, suggesting Audrey was likely enjoying the hot springs with Alissa and the others. Imagining Grace, Audrey, Kimberly, and Alissa in the pool in their alluring swimsuits, Kevin felt a twinge of regret for missing out on the chance to join them.
If only he had a car, he could have driven the four female teachers around. But it seemed Audrey would be staying at the hotel tonight; otherwise, she would have reached out by now.
Feeling dissatisfied, Kevin attempted to call Alissa, but once again, there was no response. He sighed and pocketed his phone, resigning himself to spending the evening with Maurice.
When it came to women like Vanessa, Willow, and Cynthia showing interest in him, it was mainly due to Daisy and Maurice, the two socialites. Maurice's influence was stronger, while Daisy's influence mainly came from her father, Malcolm. However, Malcolm had retired, so his influence would gradually wane.
On the other hand, Armando was a rising political figure with significant potential for growth. He might ascend to the position of mayor in a few years, making Maurice the mayor's wife. Additionally, Kevin's mother, Bethany, owned a company in the city. To ensure a robust support system for his mother in the future, he needed to maintain a good personal rapport with Maurice.
Of course, when Kevin first approached Maurice, his intentions weren't as strong. If they were, Maurice might not have welcomed him. After all, as an official's wife, she had encountered all sorts of people and could easily discern hidden agendas.
Outside the Egret Hot Springs Hotel in West Stream Town, in the hot spring pool.
Audrey was luxuriating in the hot spring, feeling cozy and almost drifting off to sleep. Her cheeks had a rosy hue, and her breasts were accentuated by the pink one-piece swimsuit she wore, appearing fuller and more prominent.
Grace sighed contentedly, "So nice to soak in the hot spring. The scenery here is too beautiful; I don't want to leave. How about we extend our stay for a week since it's winter break anyway?"
"You might not have much going on, but we have a lot on our plate," Alissa added. "The school needs an end-of-term meeting, plans for the next semester, and possibly training sessions. It's quite a hassle."
"Forget you're the vice director now. Can't compare to us slackers," Grace teased. "Will you get a promotion after the New Year? Time to treat us."
"Not sure. Let's wait for the leadership's call," Alissa, in a purple one-piece swimsuit, her plump breasts gently moving in the water, though not as ample as Audrey's, whose breasts were more pronounced and perky due to their shape and firmness.
"I think you're a shoo-in. David is due to retire in May, so the school will likely start the paperwork a month earlier," Kimberly said with a smile. "Plus, there's no one else as fitting for the office director role right now. You're the natural choice."
Kimberly, tall and slender in a sky-blue bikini, showcased her figure, her perky breasts captivating, though not as ample as Alissa and Audrey's. With her slim, long legs, she resembled a mermaid, alluringly concealed in the water.
"You can't count anyone out. There are plenty of talented folks in the office who could step into the director role," Alissa spoke cautiously, mindful of the scrutiny. While she was expected to succeed David as the office director, until it was official, there was still room for changes.
"True. Sometimes, no matter how hard you grind, a nod from the boss is all it takes," Kimberly sighed. "I wish we could swap out Rick in our office."
"Why? Is that guy still giving you trouble?" Alissa frowned. Rick's reputation at Sunset Valley High School wasn't stellar; several female teachers had faced harassment from him, but without solid proof, the issue remained unresolved.
"Not as much these days. He's toned it down, not as bold as before," Kimberly shared. Since her husband had become a township official, Rick no longer dared to summon her to his office alone. However, he still made inappropriate gestures, like touching her shoulder or arm during work discussions.
It was hard to tell if these touches were deliberate, and she couldn't make a fuss about it. It made her uneasy, like swallowing a fly, and now she felt physically sick whenever Rick called. But since Rick held the director position, she couldn't avoid him.
"Why be nice to such a creep?" Grace was always direct. "In my book, confront him head-on, block his office door, and make him explain. Otherwise, let his loved ones see his true colors. I refuse to believe we can't handle such scum."
"It's not that easy," Alissa sighed. She empathized with Kimberly's situation. Workplace harassment was widespread, but few had the courage to tackle it directly. Most suffered in silence, not wanting to stir up trouble and risk their reputation. This emboldened the perpetrators.
Audrey had been the main target of workplace harassment. She had faced advances from Quentin before, nearly falling victim to date rape one night. Additionally, the school principal, Oliver, had shown interest in her, but thankfully, Oliver had boundaries that prevented Audrey from a potential disaster.
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