Suddenly, I Am Rich-Chapter 41: Jonathan Lancaster (1)

"So, how are your scores these past few days?" Gray asked, his tone calm and professional as he set his pen down and looked directly at Chloe.

They have been studying for an hour since he arrived.

The two sat across from each other in the study room. They were at the table where Chloe’s books and notebooks were scattered around. There was also her open laptop and highlighters lined up in color-coded rows.

Chloe looked so determined to study for today that it surprised Gray.

"It was fine," Chloe answered with a small smile playing on her lips. She went to her university’s website and showed Gray her scores for her last few exams.

Gray took them, his eyes scanning the page carefully.

There was a noticeable improvement across the score list. It was nothing dramatic, but it was getting so much better. The gaps were closing, and her consistency was there.

"Hmm," Gray nodded, setting the paper down. "You’re improving. Not just in one subject either. It’s across the board." He said in awe.

"Yeah. I’ve been reading the lessons we’ve had so far." Chloe folded her hands on the table and showed a confident smile on her face.

"Yeah. I can tell," he said. "The improvement isn’t from last-minute cramming. This kind of progress only comes from discipline."

"Yeah. I’ve been trying." Chloe looked at him, then gave a small nod

He didn’t smile or offer any praise for the sake of it. Instead, he leaned back slightly and added, "If you maintain this pace for the next two weeks, you’ll hit your targets, Chloe."

"That’s what I’m aiming for," she said softly.

Gray studied her for a second longer, then glanced at the schedule they’d planned for the week.

Just as he was about to speak again, Chloe interrupted him.

"By the way," she said, closing her notebook. "About the schedule..."

Gray looked up at her, slightly frowning when he heard the uncertainty in her voice.

"I’ll need to adjust our sessions going forward. Maybe move them around a bit."

"Why?" He blinked.

She hesitated, only for a moment. Then her eyes met his directly.

"I decided to start learning about our family business," Chloe said, pressing her lips together. "I’m going to start learning how it works. My dad’s letting me in."

For a few seconds, Gray said nothing.

"Oh..." Then he leaned forward slowly, brows pulled together slightly. "You’re serious about it now?"

"Yeah. I told him this morning." Chloe nodded before pouting her lips. "Is it bad?"

The seriousness in Gray’s face softened as he laughed. "Of course, not. It’s actually good. I was just surprised."

Chloe pouted even more with his words.

"Stop teasing me, Gray," She rolled her eyes.

Gray laughed even more before nodding,

"All right, don’t worry," he said. "We’ll adjust the schedule accordingly. Just let me know the hours."

"Thanks." Chloe smiled.

Chloe glanced at Gray, chewing lightly on the cap of her pen. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she set the pen down and looked at him with a cautious expression.

"Oh, and one more thing," she said with a smile, but not a kind smile. It almost looked like a cautious smile.

Gray, who had just reopened his notebook, looked up again. "Hmm?"

"My dad wants to meet you." Chloe dropped the words like a bomb.

Silence.

Dead silence.

"..."

Gray stared at her, completely frozen in his ear. The color visibly drained from his face. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

"...Huh?" he said, blinking. "Wait. What?"

Chloe couldn’t help it. She burst into laughter at his reaction.

"You look like I just told you you’re getting arrested."

"Are you kidding me right now?" Gray asked, his eyes wide and his voice laced with disbelief. "Your dad? Jonathan Lancaster wants to meet me? Like, meet me?

Chloe grinned and nodded as if confirming everything he said.

"Yup."

Gray stared at her again, this time clearly rattled. He leaned back in his seat, his hand running through his hair as if he were physically trying to steady himself.

"Why does he want to meet me?" he asked. "Did I do something wrong? Was I too strict? Did I push you too hard with calculus? Was it that one test I gave you last week? I swear that was just for prep—"

"Relax," Chloe said, giggling. "He’s not mad. He just got curious. I told him you were the one who made me think seriously about taking responsibility for our company, and I guess he wants to see the guy who had that kind of effect on his daughter."

"That makes it worse!" Gray hissed. "You told him that? What the fuck?"

Chloe shrugged playfully. "Well, you kind of did. And he’s curious. So he asked."

Gray stared down at the table, the nerves clearly sinking in. He was usually strong willed and determined, but not in these kinds of thing.

"God, I didn’t sign up for this. I signed up to tutor... not to face a billionaire tycoon who could snap me in half with a single look."

Chloe laughed again and then stood up from her chair.

"It’s fine," she said with a teasing lilt. "My dad doesn’t bite."

Gray looked up at her with a deadpan stare.

"You’re not sure about that. You’re his daughter and I’m a nobody"

That only made Chloe burst out laughing once more. She covered her mouth as she tried to stifle it. But even if she tried so hard, she couldn’t contain them.

And right then, as if summoned by the universe itself, there was a soft knock on the study’s door, followed by its soft opening.

"Hello. May I talk to you two?"

Just then, Jonathan Lancaster stepped inside.

Gray froze. He just completely froze

"Speaking of it." Chloe turned to the door with a bright smile. "Dad.."

Jonathan stepped in with a composed and pleasant expression. He glanced at Gray once. He was calm, observant, and unreadable—before giving a faint nod.

"You must be Gray."