Chapter 58
After coming back from Harvest Fields, Lisette began to notice something odd-Mr. Hastings seemed… different. Not in a dramatic, soap-opera way, but just not quite the same as before. She couldn’t put her finger on it exactly, but the shift was very much there.
Like-
In the mornings.
He used to head to the office around 8:30, but lately he’d stick around until she got up at 8, wait for her to eat breakfast, then personally drop her off at school before driving all the way to the opposite side of town to go to work on Finance Street.
At noon.
He’d time his lunch break just right so they could chat a bit after she finished eating.
In the afternoon.
He’d drive all the way from Finance Street to campus just to pick her up.
At night.
He’d say goodnight like clockwork, right at her usual bedtime.
Lisette was trying to read, but spaced out a bit, thinking about all the recent strangeness from Tobias. She couldn’t help sighing quietly, “He’s acting like a full-on dad lately p>
Her phone buzzed just then-it was Evan. “Lisette, the dean wants to see you. He’s in his office p>
“The dean p>
As someone who regularly skipped classes and flew under the radar with the professors, Lisette found it weird. Why would the dean suddenly want to talk to her?
Could it be… because of that rumor post?
Even with the suspicion hanging in her mind, she hung up, packed her things, and headed for the dean’s office.
She pushed open the door and asked, “Dean, were you looking for me p>
The dean was in the middle of speaking with a young guy. When he saw her, he smiled and waved. “Lisette, come on in p>
Lisette blinked.
Okay, definitely not what she’d imagined.
She thought that with all the gossip surrounding the post, and how it spread across Veridia universities, the dean would for sure be furious. At the very least, he should’ve looked serious.
But that grin? Way too friendly.
This whole situation already felt off.
With growing confusion, she walked closer. The young man who had been chatting with the dean turned his gaze toward her-and she locked eyes with a pair of sea-blue irises.
He wore a tailored gray suit and gave off a chill, detached vibe.
Very unlike Tobias, whose aloofness came with an intimidating “don’t-take-another-step” warning. This guy, though, seemed ruled by self-discipline and restraint, dripping with the kind of refined elegance you’d imagine from a nobleman out of some medieval European court.
Still, the way he was looking at her felt… a little off.
As Lisette’s guard went up, the dean smiled and said, “Lisette, this is Mr. Dorian Clemens, son of the famed pianist, Mr. Philip Clemens p>
“Mr. Philip p>
Lisette had to do a double take.
Philip wasn’t someone just casually mentioned-he was renowned in the music world, basically a legend. Tons of globally famous pianists looked up to him. And Lisette? She happened to be a huge fan too.
So yeah, shocked wasn’t even the half of it.
But then she remembered-this wasn’t the first time Philip’ name had come up recently. Something was definitely off here.
Wait… could it be… that email?
Dorian’s sea-blue eyes locked onto her like lasers, and he said in a polite, distant tone, “Judging by your expression, Miss Cavendish, I assume you’re starting to recall something p>
Lisette paused.
Uh, yeah, can I just say I have absolutely no idea what’s going on?
But Dorian didn’t wait for her to deny it: “Scam artist, trafficking innocent girls p>
Lisette froze.
Yep. No doubt about it-this guy was here to call her out for reporting that email as a scam.
And yeah… it was officially getting awkward fast. The evidence was right there-no way to deny it. Lisette could only fess up, “I heard Mr. Philip wasn’t in the best health and had been staying home for years, publicly saying he wasn’t taking any invitations, so… I just assumed that email was from a scammer p>
“I honestly didn’t expect this mix-up either, okay p>
“I mean, come on, any halfway sane person wouldn’t turn down a chance to play with their idol, right p>
“It was just a massive misunderstanding p>
Faced with such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Lisette had no choice but to put her pride on the shelf and explain herself properly.
Sunlight filtered gently through the windows, casting a warm glow on the refined features of the gentleman across from her. Dorian gave a polite smile and asked, “So, Miss Cavendish, are you accepting my father’s invitation p>
Lisette blinked and shot back, “Before I say yes, mind if I ask you something, Mr. Clemens p>
Dorian’s lips parted in a small, composed motion. “Go ahead p>
“Why did Mr. Philip invite me to perform with him p>
She was seriously puzzled. “First there was the email, then now you’re here, visiting me in person p>
“I mean, I’ve got confidence-but I’m not blindly cocky. I know there are tons of pianists out there way better than me. Sure, I’ve got talent and won some competitions for the university, but it’s not like I’m a big name in the field yet. So why me, and more importantly, why at such a high-profile event like the summit p>
“I haven’t even had the standing to hold a solo concert, so what exactly does Mr. Philip gain from this p>
Her reasoning was sharp and well-thought-out, showing confidence without arrogance. Dorian gave another light smile. “I’m sorry. That’s not something I can answer p>
Lisette blinked in disbelief. “I just poured all that out, and that’s the only response I get p>
Dude… seriously p>
If he wasn’t her idol’s son, she’d already have pulled in her assistant to “nicely” show him the door!
As if sensing the stream of curses she held back, Dorian’s cerulean eyes curved slightly, the kind of smile that reeked of professional media training-just enough kindness, just enough distance.
“I’m only carrying out my father’s instructions. I don’t know anything beyond that. If you want answers, you’ll probably have to ask him yourself p>
Lisette jumped on it, “Then when can I meet Mr. Philip p>
She was already itching for it!
But Dorian was as calm and unreadable as a lake at midnight. All polite reserve, no warmth. “My father’s current schedule is unavailable at the moment. However, if you don’t mind, you can leave me your number. I promise I’ll make sure you get to meet him before the summit p>
Lisette: p>
This guy was seriously hard to deal with.
But still-how could she pass up meeting her idol? Biting back frustration, she grabbed a pen and jotted down her phone number in one go, then handed it over.
His long, fair fingers reached out, and as his sleeve shifted, a flash of a delicate jade cufflink on a crisp white shirt caught her eye.
So elegant. So refined.
Lisette stared a little too long, getting momentarily dazed. Geez, Dorian really was a ridiculously put-together guy.
But Tobias was a whole different story.
Yeah, he was filthy rich-like, absurdly so-but he never really cared about designer clothes or accessories. Elliot picked out most of his wardrobe, and Tobias himself couldn’t care less.
He just looked good in anything, had that perfect height and build-like a born model. Throw a hoodie on him and he still looked like he walked off a runway.
Wait.
Hold on a sec-
Lisette suddenly realized something-