Chapter 18

Dad Miller: Where’s your little boyfriend?

William Harris: We broke up, I’m heartbroken.

Dad Miller: I’m staying at The Miller Family tonight, you go by yourself. The password is still the same as before. Sleep in the guest room, don’t sleep in my room.

William Harris: …

William Harris: Where did you say you’re staying?

Dad Miller: Can’t you even read now?

William Harris: Why are you suddenly staying at The Miller Family?!

Ryan Miller looked up and saw his cousin already holding onto Matthew Clark’s arm.

Matthew Clark subtly pulled back, discreetly avoiding her gesture, and clinked glasses with the woman with a faint smile.

Dad Miller: I’m going to annoy Evan Miller to death. That’s enough, I’m done talking.

When Evan Miller and his group came back from the restroom, a few of them still looked awkward. Kids from wealthy families usually fall into two categories: those who are well-disciplined, and those who aren’t.

The ones hanging out with Ryan Miller were naturally the undisciplined type—skipping class, fighting, talking back were all routine, and they grew up to be pretty wild.

Evan Miller’s group, on the other hand, were strictly controlled. If their grades were bad as kids, they’d get scolded at home. They might be rich, but they really didn’t dare do anything out of line, so just now in the restroom, none of them even dared talk back.

Ryan Miller watched Evan Miller return to the main table the whole way, grinning provocatively. The two even locked eyes for a few seconds along the way.

Matthew Clark noticed all these details.

Her attempt to be friendly was rejected, and the little cousin looked a bit embarrassed. When she saw Evan Miller return, she quickly blushed and called out, “Brother.”

“Mm.” Evan Miller quickly put away his earlier displeasure and smiled, “You always said you wanted to meet Matthew Clark, are you satisfied now?”

Little cousin: “Don’t say that, I—I never…”

Evan Miller laughed, “Matthew Clark, my cousin has admired you for a long time. You should at least dance with her later, right?”

Matthew Clark’s smile didn’t change: “A long time?”

“That’s right,” said Evan Miller, “She went to the same high school as us, so she’s technically your junior.”

Matthew Clark nodded: “Sorry, I don’t really remember.”

The girl’s smile stiffened a bit, but her voice was still sweet: “It’s okay… I was never noticeable anyway.”

Evan Miller said, “It’s the same getting to know each other now. Matthew Clark, my little cousin really admires you, she’s preparing for the entrance exam to the university you went to. Since you’re her senior, why not help her out?”

Matthew Clark nodded and took out his phone: “In that case…”

The girl’s eyes lit up and she immediately opened her WeChat.

Matthew Clark held his phone out to her, displaying a business card QR code: “I know a junior who’s still studying there, he might be more helpful. He’s very enthusiastic—contact him, he’ll help you.”

When Matthew Clark returned to the table, Ryan Miller was staring intently at his phone, in the middle of an intense shooting game.

“Matthew Clark, let me remind you.” Ryan Miller didn’t even look up, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear, “If you dare use my money to get close to someone else, you’d better be ready for an early grave.”

Whoa, the junior sure talks tough.

“Your cousin said she wants to go to my old university and asked me about it.” Matthew Clark propped his chin on his hand, watching him play with interest. “I’m not getting close to anyone else.”

Ryan Miller found it funny. Was The Miller Family really so lacking in connections that they needed to consult others just to get into college? He figured his cousin’s connections at school were probably all set up before she even started.

Matthew Clark paused, then suddenly asked, “Did Evan Miller give you a hard time?”

Ryan Miller didn’t stop playing: “Come on, him?”

Then he thought about it and added, “This is my business, what’s it got to do with you?”

As long as he wasn’t bullied, it was fine.

Matthew Clark asked, “Are you staying over tonight?”

That question sounded odd: “For what?”

“If you’re staying, eat something first. Your family doesn’t seem to stay in this house often, and there aren’t any takeout options nearby. If you get hungry later, there might not be anything to eat.”

Ryan Miller replied stubbornly, “I’m not eating, mind your own business.”

The banquet ended promptly at nine in the evening.

Before all the guests had left, the butler came over and stopped Matthew Clark.

“Mr. Qin, we’ve prepared a room for you. Please come with me.” After speaking, he turned to Ryan Miller, “Young Master Ji, please come with me as well.”

Since it was a villa specifically for vacations and private parties, there were plenty of guest rooms. The butler led Matthew Clark to the first guest room by the stairs: “Mr. Qin, there’s a landline by the bed. If you need anything, just call me directly. The extension numbers are posted on the phone.”

“Thank you.” Matthew Clark nodded and asked, “Is Ryan Miller staying next to me?”

“No, Young Master Ji is staying in the last room at the end,” the butler replied. “Miss Ji is staying next to you.”

“Come on, what is this, elementary school? Do we have to stay together?” Ryan Miller interrupted, heading straight for the room at the end and waving the butler off, “I’m going to my room. If I need anything, I’ll call you.”

The guest room was clean and tidy, with several bottles of red wine and a bouquet of roses on the table. It was clear a lot of thought had gone into the banquet.

The room had its own bathroom. After taking a shower, Ryan Miller went out to the balcony to get some fresh air.