Chapter 14: You’re Flattering Me

You have to think of yourself now. It’s your time.”

“Do you think it really necessary? I mean, it’s just… a language.”

Skyler’s face grew serious at once, “Don’t you want to study further? You could become an expert in no time! I’m sure you’ll find work somewhere, or you could even become a Russian professor at the college. Just like mom!”

“How boring it is to be a professor!” Scarlett didn’t think that becoming a professor would be all that exciting to her. That wasn’t really her goal, as far as her career went.

“Alright, even if you are not going to be a professor, it’s still necessary to further your education. It’s quite possible that you could be an interpreter in the Foreign Ministry! Scarlett, you’re a gifted scholar, so don’t squander your talent. Do something for the country and the world!”

“Oh my god, stop! You’re flattering me. Damn, you’re never this nice to me. Do you want something from me?” She teased.

“But alright, I’ll think about it more seriously.” Scarlett rested her chin on her left hand and became lost in thought again; she looked like she was in a trance.

On the other hand, she’d had a gift for learning languages since she was a child. She had always loved learning languages and was already proficient in four: Russian, French, Spanish, and Arabic. On the other hand, if she got a recommendation from her professor, she would get the first-prize scholarship, and it could cover the entirety of the tuition fee. She just needed to earn enough on the side to live, and then everything would be fine.

“Well, let’s do it.” Scarlett finally said, after a long silence.

Skyler was excited about her decision and couldn’t help clapping his hands. They talked for a while and then got up to leave.

“That… was the greatest meal I’ve ever had.” Skyler was still in a great mood and thanked Scarlett for the treat.

“Ah!” Scarlett turned around to look at Skyler. She hadn’t noticed the stone stairs ahead and fell forward all of a sudden.

Skyler stretched his arms out to catch her, but he was too slow. The corner of Scarlett’s dress passed through his fingers as she began falling to the floor.

But a pair of strong and powerful hands caught Scarlett. She fell into his arms and was immediately surrounded by the comforting fragrance of tea. Scarlett lost consciousness for a moment. Realizing that she was still in someone's arms, she stood up straight promptly.

“I’m sorry, and thank you so much!” Scarlett stepped back apologetically. The man cast a steely glance at the two of them and then walked into the restaurant without saying anything. Another man who stood behind him followed close behind.

“That girl is hot, huh?” Edward Sandler said jokingly as he tried to keep up with his brother’s steps.

Francis did not seem to take it seriously. He glanced at Edward and said, “Why not invest more of your energy in business rather than women all the time?” Francis was always a wet blanket to Edward’s jokes.

Edward always believed that his brother was a perfect, wealthy man, but because he looks too arrogant and his manner is usually distant, no ordinary women would dare to flirt with him.

As we already know, Edward Sandler is the youngest son of the current Sandler family. His eldest brother, George Sandler, took full charge of the family business, and his second brother, Francis Sandler, built his own legendary business empire and he became the CEO of his own empire and now runs the retailing giant, T.B.S Empire. Therefore, Edward as the youngest son of Sandler, his only duty is to live his peaceful life and not to make any trouble for the family.

When Scarlett called a cab to drop Skyler back to school, she received a call from Jeff Richards. She hesitated for a while before answering the phone.

“Hello?”

“Where are you? Chuck needs your help.” It sounded like he was not asking for help but giving her an order.

“What?”

Scarlett watched Skyler jump in the cab and waved goodbye to him.

“I don’t think I’m gonna be able to do anything for him.”

“Stay where you are and wait, he will be there right away.” Jeff finished his word and hung up the phone.

Scarlett had no choice but to wait there alone. After about 20 minutes, Chuck Sandler still hadn’t arrived. She was losing her patience, so she walked into a Starbucks nearby and bought an Iced Americano to cool herself down.

After she got her coffee, she glanced outside through the window and found a red sports car pulling up in front of the café.

She immediately recognized the man sitting in the car. She walked to the car taking big steps, and the wind blew the corner of her dress up and down.

When she got to the car, Chuck lowered the car window and scanned her from head to toe.

“What the hell? Is that how you normally say hi?” Scarlett was annoyed to be “greeted” like that.

“Nice dress, perfect face, but awful hair,” Chuck reported.

Scarlett touched her long, straight hair that was nearing her waist and replied to Chuck in an irritated voice, “What’s wrong with my hair? It’s perfect. As if touched by God himself!”

“Get in the car! Let’s do something to your tacky hair first!”

Chuck sped up the car and ran it on the highway.

“Tacky? Isn’t it true that men like women with long hair?” Scarlett couldn’t believe someone used the word “tacky” to describe her hair. She wanted to curse at him, but she was afraid to offend him too much.

“Long hair? Yes. But not limp like yours is.”

Scarlett had never been offended so directly, so she stared at Chuck and retorted, “You expect me to help you out after you insult me like that? What do you want anyway?”

“I will do you a favor first. I’m going to help you save your hair.” Chuck smirked at Scarlett in the rear-view mirror.