Chapter 251

Ethan Sullivan stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, absentmindedly tracing the rim of his glass.

His father's words echoed in his mind.

"Persistence wins?"

His lips twitched, nearly crushing the glass in his grip.

With Evelyn Laurent's fiery temper, if he dared to pester her, she'd probably kick him straight into outer space.

Vincent Sullivan approached with a teacup, speaking earnestly. "That's how I won your mother over."

"Speak your heart. Don't hold back."

"That girl despises liars the most."

Ethan frowned deeply.

Confess?

Tell her he'd loved her since childhood, that he'd been waiting for her all these years?

And cancel that damned engagement contract?

He pictured Evelyn's reaction.

She'd probably punch him square in the face.

"Dad, don't worry about my affairs." Ethan set down his glass and headed upstairs.

Vincent watched his son's retreating figure and sighed.

The boy had none of his father's boldness when it came to pursuing love.

——

After Evelyn's eighteenth birthday, campus life remained uneventful.

Except for the small entourage that now followed her.

Led by Lillian Rothschild, a group of admirers swarmed around her daily, competing to fetch her meals and shower her with snacks.

Evelyn wasn't stingy either, often reciprocating with delicate little gifts.

Meanwhile, Sophia Lowell's followers grew even more attentive.

Lydia Montgomery and her clique stuck to Sophia like shadows.

The most eye-catching was Nigel Winthrop.

The campus heartthrob appeared without fail at the Physics Department entrance every day.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner—plus an array of small surprises.

Their saccharine displays often made passersby groan.

"Ugh. Public displays of affection never last," Lillian would mutter, rolling her eyes each time she saw them.

Isabella Valentine also began appearing around Evelyn frequently.

But the heiress had a peculiar way of giving gifts.

"Bought too much. Can't finish it," she'd say, tossing a carefully prepared breakfast at Evelyn.

Evelyn never refused, often sharing the treats with Lillian and the others.

Gradually, Isabella's image shifted from "haughty heiress" to "tsundere sweetheart" in everyone's eyes.

The only outlier was Ethan.

His appearances grew noticeably scarcer.

What was once a biweekly public lecture became monthly.

He rarely sought Evelyn out anymore.

Evelyn didn't even notice.

She was too busy cramming for finals.

While Lillian and the others scratched their heads over practice problems, Evelyn munched on bread and solved their toughest questions in a few succinct sentences.