Chapter 39

Chapter 39:

Robert was about to fly into a rage at Fernanda, but a key phrase she had spoken caught his attention.

Taking a few steps forward, he leaned across Fernanda’s desk, softening his tone as he searched her gaze. “Fernanda, did I really hear you correctly? You said you would pass the exam p>

Without acknowledging him, Fernanda nonchalantly flipped open a book on her desk.

Robert racked his brain, trying to piece together her statement.

Could she be telling the truth? Did she really take the exam?

Lost in thought, Robert was startled when Fernanda casually slid her exam admission ticket across the desk toward him.

Displayed at the bottom of it were the distinctive signatures and official stamps of the exam proctors—a hallmark of Esaham University’s rigorous entrance test. This confirmed it. Fernanda had indeed taken the exam.

A smile broke across Robert’s face, erasing any trace of his previous anger as he clutched her exam admission ticket.

“You did it! You really took the exam! That’s fantastic!” He nodded enthusiastically, a proud grin lingering on his face. “I won’t bother you further. Focus on your studies, but don’t push yourself too hard. I’ll have the servant bring you some milk shortly p>

“There’s no need,” Fernanda responded briskly, her tone icy. “I prefer not to be disturbed p>

“Of course,” Robert said with a curt nod. “I’ll leave you to it p>

He then turned and left Fernanda’s room, his steps echoing in the hall. As he descended the staircase, the sound of hurried footsteps followed. Ector was racing up.

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Robert, appearing unexpectedly cheerful, prompted Ector to exhale in relief.

Ector had been following Robert as he returned home but had been held up by a traffic light, arriving just minutes after Robert.

Given Fernanda’s strong-willed nature and low tolerance for pressure, Ector had feared that a confrontation might have occurred between Robert and her.

Yet, everything seemed peaceful.

“Ector,” Robert called out, clapping him on the shoulder with a warm smile. “Come, join me for a drink p>

“Dad, you didn’t say anything to upset Fernanda, did you?” Ector inquired cautiously.

“She’s deeply engrossed in her studies. I made sure not to disturb her,” Robert replied. “Fernanda told me she not only took the exam but feels confident about her results! That news really lifted my spirits. Imagine if she gets into Esaham University—it would be a tremendous honor for our family, wouldn’t it?” He beamed, his eyes twinkling with pride.

Ector remained silent, absorbing the weight of Robert’s words.

“Honestly, I’ve always believed in Fernanda,” Robert continued, his voice filled with a blend of admiration and concern. “My only worry was that some unforeseen issue might have jeopardized her chance to take the exam. You know, securing a chance to compete for a place at Esaham University is a dream for many. Since Fernanda has this opportunity, she must seize it. It’s not only a chance for her personal growth but also a potential source of pride for the Harper family, don’t you think p>

Ector tugged at his ear, clearly annoyed by Robert’s incessant chatter.

All this talk about glory and pride—did Robert view Fernanda merely as a stepping stone? It seemed to Ector that she was nothing more than a pawn in Robert’s grand scheme.

Meanwhile, Robert, still buzzing with excitement, prattled on about inconsequential things. Ector had long since tuned out.

Descending the stairs, Robert instructed the servant to whip up several dishes. With a flourish, he produced a bottle of exquisite wine, though Ector abstained from both food and drink.

Only after Robert had taken several drinks did Ector bring it up. “So, about Grandma’s complaint—how are you planning to handle it p>

“What?” Robert, now slightly inebriated, paused to gather his thoughts. With a casual wave, he dismissed the concern. “It’s trivial—just a squabble among women. It’ll resolve itself in a few days p>

“They might not forgive each other so readily,” Ector countered, leaning back and folding his arms, a trace of scorn flickering in his gaze. “Grandmother has never been one to overlook an offense p>

Robert, taking another gulp of wine, murmured reassurances that all would be well.

It didn’t take long for the wine to leave Robert thoroughly intoxicated. Exhaling in frustration, Ector realized leaving Robert in such a state wasn’t an option. He hoisted him from the table and supported him to his bedroom for the night.

The pungent odor of alcohol emanating from Robert was almost palpable, making Ector’s skin prickle with discomfort.

After ensuring Robert was comfortably settled, Ector exited the room, exhaling a deep breath of relief as he closed the door behind him.

Making his way back to his own quarters, Ector noticed Fernanda emerging from the adjacent room, clutching a casual shirt jacket.

“Heading out?” he inquired casually.

Fernanda simply nodded in affirmation.

“Need a ride? It’s getting dark out,” Ector offered softly.

“A friend is waiting just outside our area,” Fernanda responded, her voice carrying a hint of haste. “I won’t be long p>

Ector returned the nod, his expression unreadable.

He lingered at the top of the stairs, watching her descend. Despite himself, Ector felt a twinge of concern—almost certain that this “friend” was none other than Cristian.

It wasn’t that he doubted Fernanda’s social circle, but something about Cristian set off alarms in his mind, stirring a deep-seated unease.

As she reached the gates of Dawn Villas, Fernanda’s eyes caught the sleek silhouette of a low-profile black luxury car idling along the curb. The moment she got close, the passenger door opened automatically with a soft click.

She slid into the car and saw Cristian reclined in the driver’s seat, his eyes intently fixed on her.

“Why is this so urgent it couldn’t be discussed over the phone?” Fernanda inquired, eyeing him closely. “Out with it p>

Cristian fetched a can of beer from the console, cracked it open, and extended it toward her.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Fernanda accepted the can, tilting her head back to take a gulp.

As she drank, Cristian’s thoughts drifted back to the first time he had seen her in Esaham, defiantly sipping beer by the roadside under the vast summer night sky.

Her relaxed yet bold demeanor had left a vivid imprint on his memory. He had encountered many women with standout traits, but none had made such an enduring impact.

“Do you like drinking?” Cristian inquired, his voice light and casual.

“Yeah,” Fernanda responded briskly. “Now, what’s the real issue here p>

With a faint chuckle, Cristian shook his head. Her bluntness was something he’d come to expect.

“I looked into this morning’s traffic chaos,” he began. “Turns out, the crash was no accident—it was orchestrated p>

He cast a curious glance at Fernanda’s sharp profile, his brow slightly furrowed. “What do you think could have driven someone to cause an accident like that p>

Fernanda averted her eyes, her voice steady and serene. “Someone orchestrated this? In what way p>

“The main road is capped at forty miles per hour, yet the vehicles involved were hurtling past that limit. This led to a domino effect of collisions from behind. A couple of cars might not have caused such extensive disruption, but the sheer volume of traffic compounded the chaos,” he explained, narrowing his eyes.

Fernanda gave a slight nod. “And then what p>

“Traffic officers typically patrol that route, instilling a sense of caution among drivers. It’s unusual for accidents to occur. But today, multiple cars simultaneously ignored the rules. Doesn’t that strike you as peculiar p>

After a deep sip, nearly emptying her can, Fernanda turned toward Cristian. “So, what are you thinking p>

“I’ve looked into the finances of the drivers involved. Each received the same amount of money in their accounts recently, all from a mysterious benefactor,” Cristian remarked, his eyes locking with hers intently. “I went ahead and detained these drivers. Perhaps you’d be interested in assisting with the interrogations p>

After a brief moment of thought, Fernanda raised the beer can to her lips and downed it in one long, unbroken pull.

A satisfying crunch echoed as the can crumpled in her grasp. She rolled the window down halfway, launching the can with flawless aim into a nearby trash bin.

As the window closed, her voice, cool and resolute, filled the space.

“Let’s do it p>