CHAPTER 491: CHAPTER 491: ISN’T HE JUST A COLLEGE PROFESSOR?

Audrey Sutton listened and said, "My brother is the kind of person who responds better to softness than to force. Sometimes he just can’t swallow his pride. Actually, when you ran out in the middle of the night, he was probably worried sick and might have secretly followed you to make sure you were safe, only to then pretend not to care at all."

Phoebe King looked utterly confused, "Is he crazy or what? I’ve already made it clear that I like him. Wouldn’t it be easier if he just nodded and agreed? Why make such a fuss? What is he trying to prove by acting like he’s better than everyone else?"

Audrey continuously winked at her, but Phoebe kept ranting on her own, "With my previous temper, I would have kicked him to the curb and let someone else deal with him. Giving him a little attention and he’s lost in it, acting like I can’t marry anyone else but him."

Stephen Sutton stood by the table, watching Phoebe rant.

If Stephen weren’t around, Audrey might have helped Phoebe complain a bit, but now she didn’t dare say a word.

Seeing Stephen’s gloomy face, Audrey was afraid he might drag Phoebe out and scold her in front of all the classmates.

"The guys my mom sets me up with for blind dates are all either officials’ sons or wealthy heirs. He’s just a university teacher, so what’s there to be so proud about? I..." Audrey quickly pinched Phoebe under the table, winking at her.

Phoebe finally realized and turned her head to see Stephen standing right beside her. She was startled at first but wouldn’t back down immediately out of pride, snorted coldly, and turned away from Stephen.

Students were slowly coming into the classroom. Stephen didn’t say anything, walked up to the podium, and started flipping through his textbook as if preparing for the day’s lecture.

Phoebe looked up at him, still sulking. They were only separated by a short distance, yet there was no eye contact between them.

In previous classes, Phoebe never looked at her textbook, her eyes always fixed on Stephen, but today she rested her chin in her hand, looking out the window with a sulky expression, clearly upset.

But those were obviously angry words; otherwise, she wouldn’t have shown up in Stephen’s class.

Audrey was busy taking notes in her book. She needed to be very serious in her brother’s class, mainly for fear that he’d report her to Shane Warner.

Phoebe never paid attention in class, and now she eyed the vegetable pancakes Audrey had placed in her desk drawer. As soon as Stephen turned his back to write on the blackboard, Phoebe reached out, grabbed them, and whispered, "Audrey, can I eat this?"

Audrey looked at the item in Phoebe’s hand, then glanced at Stephen, and softly replied, "Wait till class is over."

Phoebe whispered, "I didn’t have breakfast, I’m hungry," as she opened the plastic bag and took a bite. Audrey looked more guilty than Phoebe, quickly raising her head to check on Stephen. Stephen turned around at that moment, glanced at Phoebe, who then stopped chewing.

Stephen saw her eating but ignored it, continuing with his lecture.

Phoebe dared not be too blatant, only taking bites when Stephen turned his back.

With the pancake finished, Stephen kept one eye open and one eye closed, completely ignoring Phoebe’s antics.

Audrey thought he had just gotten used to Phoebe’s misbehavior, but once the bell rang, before students could crowd around the podium, Stephen stepped down, tapped lightly on Phoebe’s desk, and in a low voice said, "Come with me."

Phoebe was taken aback, glancing at Stephen’s retreating figure toward the classroom door, and then quickly made eye contact with Audrey.

Audrey smiled, nudged her, "Go quickly."

Despite her earlier loud claims of "not catering to him," Phoebe got up and followed him out immediately.

Following Stephen’s figure, Phoebe trailed him to a relatively secluded stairwell on the side of the classroom. He was waiting by the wall when she got there.

Phoebe went over and, like a child caught misbehaving and summoned by the teacher, stood half a meter away from him, head lowered, saying nothing.

After a few seconds of silence, Stephen was the first to speak, "Where did you go last night?"

His tone was flat, with no trace of accusation.

Phoebe muttered, "None of your business."

Stephen: "Is that little room of mine too small, and you had to book a hotel instead?"

Phoebe wanted to retort as soon as she heard his tone, but the words caught in her throat, and she suddenly realized something, changing her question, "How did you know I was staying at a hotel?"

Stephen didn’t answer, instead asked, "Who’s the guy?"

Phoebe frowned in confusion, "What guy? Are you trying to trick me?"

Still sulking, Phoebe added, "Even if there were a guy, it’s none of your business. You haven’t married me, so who I am with is my freedom."

Stephen frowned at her, "As a girl, can’t you be a bit more reserved?"

The more Phoebe listened, the angrier she became, "Then go find someone who is reserved! I’ve had enough! I’m not sticking to you because no one else wants me. If you don’t like me, just say it instead of stringing me along. I’ve told you countless times, stop wasting time!"

Stephen looked at her with a meaningful smile, a hint of amusement at the corner of his lips.

Phoebe felt even more upset by his smile, couldn’t help but curse, "What the hell are you smiling at?"

Stephen started to settle the score, saying, "I’m just a university teacher. Wouldn’t it be better to seek out those officials’ sons or wealthy heirs from your blind dates?"

On a regular day, Phoebe might tease him with some joke, but now, feeling both angry and wronged, she snapped, "Fine, I will! You’re the one who can’t be shaped!"

Finishing the sentence, Phoebe angrily turned to walk away.

"Stop!" Stephen ordered as he reached out and pulled her back, seeing her with teary eyes, head down, quickly wiping her tears with her hands.

In Stephen’s understanding, she was carefree, usually shameless like a persistent burr, the delicate side of femininity seemingly absent in her, as people say, apart from her monthly period, she showed no girlish traits. He never thought about how she would look when crying.

Seeing it now, he felt caught off guard, frowning and freezing, unsure of what to do.