Chapter 709: Armando's Ambition
In a three-story building a few hundred meters away, Fiona was chatting with her mother, Maurice. She did really well on her exam this time, ranking first in her sophomore year.
"Fiona, you did great on this exam. I'm thinking of taking you to Japan for a trip during the summer break," Maurice said with a smile. "You've been wanting to climb Mount Fuji, right? Mom will accompany you, and we can also go shopping in Ginza."
"Mom, I don't want to go to Japan," Fiona said. "I want to go to Antarctica."
"What? Where do you want to go?" Maurice's eyes widened, thinking she misheard.
"Antarctica. What's wrong?" Fiona said nonchalantly.
"You, a young girl, why do you want to go to such a place?" Maurice frowned. "I disagree."
"Mom, I'm seventeen already. You have no right to interfere with my decisions," Fiona said firmly. "You promised that after I entered high school, you wouldn't meddle in my life."
"Well, I'm still your mom," Maurice said. "I wouldn't object if you wanted to go anywhere in the country, but Antarctica? It's a desolate place. If something happens to you there, how can I explain to your dad?"
"Oh, Mom, don't worry. I'm not going alone," Fiona said. "There's a World Youth Exchange program organized by UNESCO under the United Nations. Teens from every country participate, and I've already signed up online and been approved. It won't cost a penny; the UN covers all expenses."
"What's going on?" A middle-aged man walked out of the study, Fiona's father, Armando, the Deputy County Mayor. Seeing his wife's displeased expression, he chuckled, "Fiona, what trouble have you caused your mom now?"
"Honey, listen to this," Maurice huffed. "Your precious daughter is getting rebellious, not listening to me anymore, wanting to go to Antarctica."
"When did I say she's going alone? I mentioned there will be many people going together," Fiona quickly explained to her father. "Dad, you always talk about reading a thousand books and traveling a thousand miles. I'm just following your advice."
"Heh, yeah, that's right," Armando chuckled. "I think Fiona can go. We have a research station in Antarctica, and it's good for her to see it. Eventually, we will develop Antarctica."
"Alright, you two are in sync. I'll just be the outsider," Maurice, seeing her husband's supportive attitude, suddenly remembered something. "By the way, Fiona, you mentioned inviting that boy Kevin from your school over last time. Why hasn't he come?"
"What boy? Fiona, tell your dad," Armando, intrigued by his daughter's rare interest in a boy, was curious. Fiona had always been hard to impress, even the son of the County Finance Bureau Director, Devon, didn't catch her eye. He wondered who this Kevin was.
"Dad, it's nothing, really," seeing her father's keen interest, Fiona suddenly felt shy. "He's a freshman at our school, named Kevin. I bumped into him last time I was home and found him quite interesting."
"Oh, a boy who interests you must be special. I'd like to meet him," Armando developed a strong interest in this boy named Kevin. "When will you invite him over? I'll vet him for you."
"Oh, Dad, we're not like that," Fiona blushed. "We just get along well. Besides, he's younger than me. How could that happen?"
"Heh, Fiona, I've never seen you so nervous before," Armando found it increasingly amusing. "I didn't say you had a relationship. You're just making it more suspicious by denying it."
"I'm not telling you guys anymore. I'm going back to my room to study," Fiona stomped her foot and went back to her room.
Maurice, however, worriedly said, "Honey, you don't think Fiona really has something with this Kevin boy, do you? Boys these days are tricky. If they find out about Fiona's background, who knows what they might think. We should be cautious."
"Don't you know your daughter? Most boys can't fool her," Armando chuckled. "Besides, Fiona is strong-willed. If we interfere, it'll backfire. Let's not overdo it; let Fiona handle it herself."
"But do you need to explain to Devon? You still need his help in the city, don't sour the relationship," Maurice said, frowning.
"Don't worry," Armando said confidently. "Devon is an old man; he understands these things. Besides, my resources aren't in the city anyway. If he cooperates, great. If not, it's fine by me."
"That's true. You'll be back in the city in a year or two," Maurice said. "I've already talked to my dad. When you return, he'll talk to the Director and arrange a position of real power for you. Look at Angus, he's already the Director of the City Education Bureau, a high position. You can't fall behind."
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