Chapter 1613

[ 614 words ]

Claire led Lawler away to fetch the car, leaving Barry and Ethan to catch up privately.

Barry asked about his son’s college life.

“Ethan, now that you’re in college, have any girls caught your eye?”

“Or is there someone you already like?”

“I’m not against you dating, but at this stage in your life, your studies should be your priority.”

“Even if you do date, make sure it doesn’t negatively impact your education.”

Barry felt slightly awkward giving his son relationship advice; he wasn’t exactly a smooth talker.

But before he left, Evie Monroe had insisted he have a ‘man-to-man’ talk with their

son.

She argued that since Ethan was growing up and forming his own opinions, they needed to make sure he didn’t do anything reckless in college.

It was better to set clear boundaries now so he knew what was expected of him.

If they didn’t warn him and he made a colossal mistake later, they would only have themselves to blame.

“Also, never disrespect a girl,” Barry added, his tone turning deadly serious.

“I expect you to treat women with absolute respect.”

Ethan stared at him.

He had zero interest in dating, yet here he was getting a lecture on respect and romance from his dad.

“Dad, I’m not dating anyone,” Ethan explained patiently. “And I don’t have my eye on anyone right now.”

“If I ever do like someone, I promise I’ll treat her with respect.”

Barry nodded. “Good. As doctors, we know better than anyone that some damage inflicted on a woman’s body is irreversible.”

Seeing that Ethan had no interest in the girl who had interrupted them earlier brought Barry a deep sense of relief.

That girl clearly had too many schemes running through her head.

He and his wife were too busy with their careers to deal with that kind of drama.

Claire, on the other hand, was wonderful—but unfortunately, she was already engaged.

Even if he wanted her as a daughter-in-law, it was a lost cause.

“Dad, I promise you, one hundred percent of my energy is focused on my studies.”

He literally didn’t have the mental bandwidth for anything else.

“A girl like

aire is exactly what you

should look for. Pure-hearted and

anurely abdicated to dedicated to her work

t belongs to

Even if it couldn’t be Claire, Barry hoped his son would find someone with the same relentless drive.

Ethan rubbed his temples.

He was honestly a bit speechless. “I don’t have feelings for Claire.”

He was close to Claire because his dad had literally assigned him to look out for her and because he desperately wanted to surpass her academically.

That was the whole point of his ‘genius observation diary.’

And the conclusion of his observations so far? He couldn’t beat her, no matter how hard he tried.

His feelings toward Claire consisted entirely of profound admiration and intense rivalry!

“Claire is amazing, but your standards for me are way too high.”

Finding someone as brilliant as Claire was borderline impossible.

Barry sighed. “…I meant you should use her as a role model and push yourself to reach her level!”

“Haven’t you heard the saying? If you bloom, the butterflies will come.”

“That’s the point I’m trying to make.”

“The rest is up to you to figure out.”

Ethan nodded slowly. “…Right.”

What a helpful piece of advice, Dad.

It was easy to give orders!

If it was so easy, why didn’t you go find someone like that?

Wait, no.

His dad didn’t need to find anyone. He and Evie Monroe were sickeningly in love.

Meanwhile, Claire had retrieved the car and handed it off to Lawler.

She hopped out at the university gates, and Lawler drove Barry away.

Ethan and Claire walked back onto

campus Claire headed toward heret

apartment, while Ethan march

straight to the library. Cont?

He was truly the hardest worker on campus, an absolute role model for his peers.

After all, if he didn’t work hard, he’d be heavily judged.

By his own dad.

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