Chapter 110: Chapter 104: An Exceptional Admission

“Long time no see, Instructor Barron!” Alvin Morgan leaned back against the sofa, propping his head up with one hand, and chuckled.

“Young… Young Lord Morgan…” Leon Barron replied nervously, his fingers unconsciously pressing together. He stopped in his tracks.

Leigh Miles looked back and forth between the two, asking curiously, “You two know each other?”

A corner of Alvin Morgan’s mouth lifted again. He seemed to watch Leon Barron with amusement, noting how the man couldn’t meet his gaze, and said lightly, “He used to be a comrade-in-arms of my second brother.”

At these words, Leon Barron’s body trembled slightly. He opened his mouth, but in the end, nothing came out.

Leigh Miles’s eyes went wide. She asked in disbelief, “Barron, you were a soldier?”

In Veridia, the term “comrade-in-arms” was generally reserved for the soldiers who defended the country. Their duty was to maintain national stability and be ready for combat at any moment. Even in peacetime, they still carried out many dangerous missions.

Leon Barron’s expression was a little unnatural. He gave a quiet “mm” in response.

The atmosphere in the living room suddenly became very delicate. Leon Barron stood awkwardly at the entrance, not knowing whether to advance or retreat.

His feelings toward the Morgans were complicated. He and Eugene Morgan had been comrades-in-arms. During a mission years ago, Eugene had gone missing while saving his life. To this day, his whereabouts and whether he was dead or alive remained unknown.

Over the years, he had harbored a deep guilt toward the Morgan family. He turned down a promotion and chose to leave the military.

Although he now lived an ordinary life, Eugene Morgan’s disappearance was still a hurdle in his heart that he could never get over.

“Time to eat.”

Aurora Sinclair walked out of the kitchen with bowls and chopsticks, then repeated herself to the few people in the living room.

This small two-bedroom apartment had no dining room, so the only place to eat was the living room. Aurora Sinclair brought out a stack of small round stools and arranged them in a circle around the table.

With two more men, the area around the dining table felt a bit crowded.

From the moment he sat down, Leon Barron kept his head down and ate in silence, trying to minimize his presence.

’If I had known the Morgans were here, I would’ve rather died than come over and be an eyesore.’

Leon Barron felt like he was sitting on pins and needles throughout the entire meal. As soon as everyone finally put down their chopsticks, he immediately found an excuse to slip away for a smoke.

Unexpectedly, Alvin Morgan wasn’t about to let him go so easily. “Instructor Barron, care to join me?”

“…Alright…”

Downstairs, the leaves of the poplar trees rustled in the wind. A circle of elderly men was gathered under the trees. They were watching two of their own play chess, and a few snippets of conversation could be heard from time to time.

“Mr. Alden, a move made can’t be taken back. Put that piece down…”

“Just one move, let me take back one move…”

Leon Barron had a cigarette dangling from his lips as he leaned against a set of parallel bars, seemingly staring blankly at the old men. His mind was replaying what Alvin Morgan had just said to him: “I know you feel guilty and have always wanted to compensate the Morgan family. I’m giving you a chance now. Protect them…”

***

「The Sinclair Estate.」

The Guthries once again paid a visit. This time, Master Sinclair did not turn them away.

Beside Zane Guthrie was a familiar face, the dean of Arcadian University School of Arts, Quinn Hale.

As soon as they entered, Quinn Hale took out a painting and began to apologize profusely to Master Sinclair.

“Mr. Sinclair, I deeply apologize for the incident at the Academy of Arts. I went back and searched again, and I finally recovered your granddaughter’s artwork. I have now suspended the teacher who was derelict in their duties. I hope you won’t hold it against us.”

Master Sinclair understood their intentions. He accepted the painting and offered a few polite words to save them face.

Zane Guthrie struck while the iron was hot and stated their purpose. “Mr. Sinclair, we’ve come today for two reasons. The first is regarding your granddaughter Aurora Sinclair’s art school entrance exam, and the second is to invite Aurora Sinclair to join the Kingsford Calligraphy and Painting Association.”

Master Sinclair had guessed that the Guthries would want to invite Aurora Sinclair into the Kingsford Calligraphy and Painting Association, but he hadn’t expected the matter of the entrance exam.

It was his wish for Aurora Sinclair to study at Arcadian University. If there was another opportunity, he naturally had to seize it.

Master Sinclair took a sip of tea and asked noncommittally, “So, are the results for my granddaughter’s specialized subject exam out?”

Quinn Hale smiled. “Of course! A perfect score on the specialized subject exam! We’ve already added it to the system. This incident was my fault for not verifying things clearly. Thankfully, the truth has come to light, and we’ve already taken remedial action…”

“Mr. Sinclair, Aurora Sinclair’s painting skills are a testament to the true teachings of Master Flora Guthrie. She is qualified to be an honorary member of our association; getting into the Academy of Arts is a sure thing. Even if her college entrance exam score isn’t high enough, the Academy of Arts can make an exception and admit her.”

“That’s right. I can personally guarantee it. Even if Aurora Sinclair’s score isn’t high enough, we can still make an exception and admit her!”

The two sang in chorus, making Master Sinclair a little hesitant. Although Chester Greene and Erin Archer were both vying for his granddaughter, he wasn’t confident about Aurora Sinclair’s college entrance exam score before the results were released.

“Once the scores are out, I will talk to Aurora about choosing her university preferences.”

Quinn Hale was overjoyed. He took a document out of his bag—an academy preference form.

“Once the results are released, just have Aurora Sinclair fill out this preference form and submit it to the Academy of Arts. We’ll be able to admit her with one hundred percent certainty.”

Butler Sinclair accepted the form on behalf of Master Sinclair.

Seeing that matter settled, Zane Guthrie immediately brought up the topic of joining the association. He also took an application form from his bag and handed it to Butler Sinclair. “Mr. Sinclair, this is our association’s membership application. Please have Aurora Sinclair fill it out and submit it to the association before the end of September…”

Master Sinclair gave a slight nod.

Before leaving, Zane Guthrie took out another application form and sighed. “Mr. Sinclair, regarding Stella Sinclair, it’s truly been difficult for us. We hope you can understand. This is an application form for an art academy in Crestland. Consider it a way to bring closure to our time as her teachers…”

Master Sinclair’s expression finally softened with a hint of emotion.

***

After seeing the Guthries off, Master Sinclair called Janet Sinclair and asked her to bring Stella Sinclair over.

For the past several days, Stella Sinclair had been staying at Janet Sinclair’s house. She had shut off all her devices connecting her to the outside world, isolating herself in a small room and refusing to see anyone.

An hour later, the two of them arrived at the Sinclair Estate.

Having not seen anyone for a long time, Stella Sinclair had lost a lot of weight, and her features were etched with exhaustion.

“Grandpa…” Stella Sinclair murmured, her head lowered.

She no longer possessed her former pride. Hiding behind Janet Sinclair, she seemed withdrawn and insecure.

A pang of pain shot through Master Sinclair’s heart. He beckoned to her, and once she came over, he pressed the application form into her hand. “Stella, go there and study hard. Start over! And remember, you will always be my, Preston Sinclair’s, granddaughter!”

“Grandpa…” Stella Sinclair’s eyes reddened, welling up with tears.

These past few days, she had grown accustomed to all sorts of ridicule and scorn. Even the Gordons had publicly declared they were drawing a line with her.

To humiliate her, the Gordons, under the banner of seeking justice for Sue Quinn, had even contacted the media to publicly accuse her of injuring the nanny. Because Sue Quinn was employed by the Gordon family, they were prepared to “righteously disown their own kin” and take her to court. In the end, it was her aunt, Janet Sinclair, who settled things with the Gordons and Sue Quinn for her.

“Don’t blame your cousin…”

Stella Sinclair’s gaze darkened slightly. She bit her lip hard and said nothing.

Master Sinclair continued, “Stella, I know you’re unhappy and feel that I’m favoring her, but Aurora is different from you. She…”

“Grandpa, please don’t say any more! I can’t just let bygones be bygones with her right now. Maybe in a few years, after I’ve had time to think it through, I’ll be able to understand.” Stella Sinclair slowly let go of Master Sinclair’s hand, her voice choked with tears.

Master Sinclair looked at her stubborn eyes and sighed silently. He raised a hand to wipe away her tears and offered a word of comfort, “Your brother happens to be in Crestland, too. With him there to look after you, I’ll be able to rest a little easier.”

Stella Sinclair nodded, then suddenly knelt on the floor.

“Grandpa, my mom can’t ever go back to the Gordon family. Please, forgive her and let her come back to the Sinclair family! I’m begging you…”

This time, to divorce Hailey Gordon, Linton Sinclair had been ruthless, having her committed directly to a mental hospital.

A trace of helplessness flickered deep in Master Sinclair’s eyes. He patted her hand. “Alright… As long as I’m here, no one in the Sinclair family will wrong her…”

Her final worry finally settled, Stella Sinclair took a beautiful square box from her pocket. Inside lay a brand-new sapphire bracelet.

“Grandpa, this is my apology gift to her… Please give it to her for me!”

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