Mr. Fairchild's Rose: She is Wild and Proud-Chapter 193 - 176: Fairchild’s Gift

How should she answer that?

Julian Fairchild leisurely awaited a reply from Maeve Lane.

Teasing Maeve was just... too much fun.

A few minutes passed, and the phone chimed.

[Perhaps, I can only fake a smile and pretend to be composed.jpg]

The man smiled slightly, the amusement in his eyes was gentle but sincere.

Henry Hughes walked in from outside and saw Julian Fairchild with a bright smile on his face, the iciness in his gaze melting away.

He gripped the door handle, his expression natural, "Chatting with her?"

The smile on Julian Fairchild’s lips quickly faded, and he straightened up slightly, "It’s none of your business."

"How is it none of my business," Henry Hughes disregarded Julian’s hostile glare, "Maeve and I are friends, after all. We have a reasonably close relationship, don’t we?"

His tone was rather conciliatory.

Julian Fairchild wasn’t having it, and sneered, "We don’t have any relationship... I haven’t even settled our last scores."

His voice grew darker towards the end; if it hadn’t been for the unexpected push from Miles Hughes for him and Maeve, he might still be in the dark.

Henry Hughes said indifferently, "That was just because you lacked confidence. Believe it or not, I actually wanted to give up back then."

Julian Fairchild squinted, seemingly contemplating the truth of his words.

"Maybe I’ve been self-indulgent all along," Henry Hughes continued, despite trying to control his emotions, a hint of sadness crept in, "I could clearly feel that ever since I confessed, Maeve has been drifting further away. These days, it’s been somewhat... annoying."

Julian Fairchild raised his eyebrow, his expression suggesting he might be genuine.

Henry Hughes leaned against the doorframe, looking at him, "But you’re the one she likes."

He lowered his eyes, "So, you’ll never know this feeling... the more you try to hold on, the further it slips away, like a handful of sand, the tighter you grip, the faster it escapes, leaving you helpless."

"Maeve used to invite me to eat, to hang out. I thought I was special, but that was just an illusion... Anyone receiving that kind of treatment from Maeve would feel special. A girl like her, her feelings of like or dislike are crystal clear. I’m the friend she likes, but not the lover in her heart."

Henry Hughes seemed to have been harboring these feelings for too long; this conversation was more like a cathartic release.

Julian Fairchild listened quietly without saying anything.

"So... before she loses all her good impressions of me, I should at least leave her with a decent one." Henry Hughes said, "I’ve never been rejected so decisively in my life, and I believe it’s the same for you. Maybe because I’ve rejected too many people before, the heavens sent Maeve to be my punishment."

After he finished, the room fell silent for a few seconds.

Subsequently, Henry Hughes, as if having cleared away all his broken emotions, added, "So, if Maeve likes you and wants to be with you, then you better not let her down!"

Julian Fairchild raised an eyebrow.

Henry Hughes was indeed one of his few close friends.

He could discern whether his words were sincere or not.

Maybe he had some doubts about Henry Hughes’s words the day before, but now, he believed him.

Unlike him, Henry Hughes rarely used such commanding language; in fact, Julian Fairchild had never seen him so assertive since knowing him.

His feelings for Maeve were genuine.

But now, his choice to let go was also real.

"You don’t need to worry." Julian Fairchild toyed with his phone, a slight smile teasing his lips, "Unless she gets tired of me, I will never let her down."

Having received Julian Fairchild’s assurance, Henry Hughes felt a pang of bitterness despite his relief.

If Maeve had chosen him.

He could have vowed to Julian Fairchild with the same confidence.

But in reality, despite being by Maeve’s side for so long, he had gained nothing but her growing annoyance.

While Julian Fairchild, with just one day, made her break her own principles.

Perhaps this is the difference between being liked and not being liked.

"That’s good." Henry Hughes slowly turned around and began packing his things, "I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll be moving out for now."

Julian Fairchild didn’t reply, he was setting the kissing photo of him and Maeve that Miles Hughes just sent as his screensaver.

He placed one hand behind his head, his thin lips slightly pursed, yet the amusement in his eyes was unmistakable.

Henry Hughes quickly packed up his belongings and left the dormitory.

...

Maeve Lane was casually chatting with Julian Fairchild.