Consequences of Dumping the Obsessive Boss: Stuck with Him Forever-Chapter 246: Do You Want to Spend the Rest of Your Life with Maxim Sinclair?
Justin Huxley didn’t speak immediately. He slowly finished the tea in his cup before he spoke, "I came to see you today to ask if you’d like to collaborate with me?"
Summer Lowell was somewhat unclear about his intentions, or rather, she had an idea but was unwilling to believe that Justin’s purpose aligned with her own suspicions.
This person had helped her countless times when she was young and helpless. To her, he was someone of great significance.
But...
"You and I can work together, I’ll stall Maxim Sinclair from the outside, giving you time and space to escape." Justin didn’t elaborate further, "So, are you willing to collaborate with me?"
Once Summer realized that his so-called collaboration was exactly what she didn’t want to admit, she firmly refused, "I know the Huxley and Sinclair families have always been in both open and hidden conflicts, but I don’t belong to either family, and I don’t want to get involved in their struggles."
Her attitude was evident. Justin remained calm on the surface but internally adjusted his plan based on Summer’s reaction.
He stood up, using tea as a substitute for wine, and apologized to Summer, "It’s my lack of consideration, I forgot that you’ve been too entangled because of our families. My mistake, I apologize to you."
The apology came so straightforwardly that Summer didn’t react for a moment.
"Senior, there’s no need to apologize, it’s not necessary." Summer smiled, indicating she didn’t mind.
After Summer spoke, she took her phone and messaged Vivian Sullivan, who had gone out to take a call, urging her to hurry back, as she couldn’t handle the awkward situation alone.
The message was sent, but no response came for a long time. Summer felt increasingly restless, ready to head out and find her.
But Justin had hardly found an opportunity to be alone with her, so how could he easily let her leave?
"There’s something I need to ask you," Justin spoke again, "primarily to consider your dignity."
Summer, puzzled, asked, "What could possibly concern my dignity?"
"It’s naturally related to Maxim Sinclair," Justin’s smile remained warm, but a calm scrutiny was hidden in his eyes, "As you know, the Huxley and Sinclair families aren’t as amicable as rumors suggest."
Having clearly stated she wouldn’t meddle in the family matters, Summer showed visible displeasure. She had already expressed her refusal, yet he kept bringing it up.
"Don’t misunderstand me, I don’t intend to force you to collaborate," Justin raised a hand to reassure her, "The elders in my family arranged tasks for me that could potentially harm Maxim’s interests. If you plan to spend your life with him, I should be mindful not to hurt you."
So that’s what he meant. As Summer realized this, annoyance surfaced in her expression, and she retorted, "Senior, don’t speak nonsense. I’m just temporarily stuck with Maxim Sinclair. Who can say what the future holds?"
While Summer sounded adamant, her eyes avoided his, which made her seem like she wasn’t entirely truthful.
Was Summer lying?
Clearly, she liked him, yet she acted as if she didn’t care?
Justin looked at Summer with a knowing smile. Without him saying it, she knew by his expression that he didn’t believe her words.
"Anyway, that’s the truth. If you don’t believe it, there’s nothing I can do," Summer said, then thought of something and asked, "Did Tina Huxley say something to you? Making you misunderstand my relationship with Maxim."
"I’ve known you for many years, and I understand you quite well. The way you look at Maxim is a look I’ve seen before. Except, back then, you looked at me like that."
Justin’s face showed a nostalgic expression.
After hearing this, Summer couldn’t help but reflect. Did she indeed feel that way about Maxim Sinclair?
It shouldn’t be, she thought. If she did, why wouldn’t she know it herself?
Summer sipped her water to calm down and said, "Perhaps it was Tina saying something to lead to your misunderstanding."
She then laughed self-deprecatingly, "Miss Tina has always seen me as a rival in love, so she would send people to frame me. Please tell her, senior, to spare me sooner."
Justin fell into silence, his reaction revealing nothing about whether he believed her words.
Summer didn’t have the time to delve deeper. Unable to wait for Vivian any longer, she picked up her chopsticks and began eating.
The sweet, tender clams and steamed egg were still warm. Summer enjoyed her small bowl, and when she looked up, she found Justin staring at her.
Summer gaze remained composed, "Senior, are you staring at me because you have more to say?"
Justin clasped his hands, resting them under his chin, "Have you ever heard of Stockholm Syndrome?"
"To put it plainly," Summer wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin, looking directly at Justin from across the table, "You’re suspecting I have Stockholm Syndrome with Maxim, aren’t you?"
"Not exactly suspecting, just concerned you might," Justin smiled, "I know you’re inexperienced in relationships. Though Maxim can be cruel to you, it doesn’t negate his many excellent qualities. Also, his personality should suit you quite well, right?"
Disregarding all the mess, purely looking at Maxim, all his strengths did align with Summer’s taste.
It wasn’t surprising that Justin would ask this.
Summer was silent for a brief two minutes, but that was long enough for Justin to see through her thoughts.
Maxim Sinclair had clearly taken an indispensable place in Summer’s heart.
"Summer, we’ve known each other for a long time, and I once saved you. You sincerely called me senior for years. I want to say that you and Maxim are not suited for each other. He and you belong to different worlds. If you truly intend to spend your life with him, I’m afraid you’ll suffer many hardships in the future. So, it’s better to leave sooner."
"Senior, you needn’t remind me, I’m fully aware of that," Summer couldn’t understand why she disliked what Justin said, "What you’re suggesting is unlikely to happen at all."
Just then, Vivian Sullivan finally returned from her call. As soon as she entered, she sensed something was off in the room: "Are you two... fighting?"
Summer and Justin both laughed as they denied it, "No, we were just wondering why you weren’t back yet."
Hearing this, Vivian instantly frowned, "I’m afraid this meal won’t happen. I need to leave now, I have something urgent to attend to."
