Arthur Lockwood's anger flared. "Who dares to bully Aurora? I'll go down there and beat them up—"
Alvin Morgan leveled a cool gaze at him with those charming eyes of his, and Arthur Lockwood immediately deflated.
'After you, my lord—'
Beta Morgan repeated everything he had heard downstairs, word for word, then stood respectfully, awaiting his master's instructions.
Beside the pear wood table, Alvin Morgan propped his cheek up with one hand, idly toying with an empty teacup with the other. The corners of his handsome mouth lifted slightly, giving him an exceptionally languid air.
"A 180 on her science composite?"
"That's what they said. Sixty in each of the three subjects."
The hand toying with the teacup stilled. Alvin Morgan mulled it over for a moment. "Her scores are a little on the low side. Go contact Chester Greene..."
Beta Morgan's expression grew serious. He turned and strode briskly out of the private room.
Beside him, Arthur Lockwood sipped his tea with a complicated expression, remaining silent for a long while.
Chester Greene, the youngest physics professor at Arcadian University, had been the nation's top science scholar with a perfect score on his college entrance exams—a legendary academic prodigy.
Because of his achievements and impressive resume, the students of Arcadian University had turned his photo into a collection of "prodigy" memes that were still popular on campus.
***
To help Aurora Sinclair keep up with the curriculum at Kingsford No. 1 High School, Master Sinclair had Butler Sinclair visit several of Kingsford's top tutoring agencies, offering a high salary to hire a renowned instructor for her.
Several teachers came, but Master Sinclair was satisfied with none. He'd complain one was too young, another's academic credentials weren't high enough. He was incredibly picky and found fault with everyone.
This drew extreme dissatisfaction from Hailey Gordon. Master Sinclair hadn't made such a huge fuss when picking tutors for Stella back in the day.
While applying a face mask, Hailey Gordon said to Linton Sinclair, who was next to her, "Your father has really lost his mind! Complaining that their standards are too low... Has he even considered his precious granddaughter's own level?"
Although Linton Sinclair also disapproved of Master Sinclair's ostentatious search for a tutor, he couldn't stand hearing Hailey Gordon speak about his father that way. "That's enough! Ever since my second brother died, Dad has always felt like he owes Aurora!"
"Owes her? Hmph... He reaped what he sowed! If my second brother hadn't married that woman back then, would he have met such a violent end? And to think they produced a freak like that..."
Hailey Gordon was full of scorn. She had always wanted her cousin from her side of the family to marry Thomas Sinclair, but he had only had eyes for Noelle Rhodes, an orphan.
"That's enough!"
Linton Sinclair shot to his feet, his face stern. He might be henpecked, but that didn't mean he was without a temper.
His second brother, Thomas Sinclair, had always been the pride of the family. He was the one who elevated the Sinclairs from an ordinary family into the outer circles of Kingsford's elite, building up half of the family's entire enterprise.
Most of the Sinclair family's long-standing clients were ones Thomas Sinclair had secured. For that reason alone, Hailey Gordon had no right to bad-mouth him!
Hailey Gordon sheepishly shut her mouth.
Outside the master bedroom, Stella Sinclair happened to be passing by. A glint of light flashed in her eyes.
***
The search for a tutor continued at the Sinclair Estate, and even Stella Sinclair recommended one of her seniors from Arcadian University to Master Sinclair.
The senior looked sharp and was reputedly the eldest son of a minor family in Kingsford.
"Grandpa, this is my senior, Ryan Talbot. He's the student council president of our college, and his grades are excellent! He scored a 645 on his college entrance exams, so he should be more than capable of teaching Aurora."
Master Sinclair naturally trusted Stella, so he was reasonably satisfied with this senior. However, he still preferred someone older, the type who looked scholarly at a glance.
Stella smiled. "Grandpa, why don't we have Aurora come out and meet him?"
"Alright, go get Aurora!"
When Aurora appeared, she was dressed in her usual tracksuit, but with a kitchen apron thrown over it. She carried a small, steaming pot in her hands.
The moment Master Sinclair saw her, his entire demeanor changed. He beamed and waved her over. "Aurora, don't wear yourself out! Come here and rest for a bit!"
Though Aurora's clothes were simple, her face was beautiful. At the side, Ryan Talbot stared, completely captivated.
Her meek and docile appearance, in particular, made him instantly satisfied. 'How can I get my hands on her?' he thought.
'If I marry her, I'll be a son-in-law of the Sinclair Family. It would definitely be a huge benefit to my own family.'
After Aurora put the small pot down, Stella walked over, took her hand, and started to introduce Ryan Talbot.
"This is my senior. How about having him tutor you?"
Aurora tilted her head to glance at him, then nodded at Stella.
Since Aurora had agreed, Master Sinclair didn't object, but he thought to himself, 'A student won't do for a tutor. I have to keep looking.'
Meanwhile, after receiving the call from Beta Morgan, Chester Greene had immediately booked the earliest flight back from out of province. He rushed his journey and managed to arrive at the villa of the Sinclair Estate just before nightfall.
Stella Sinclair and Ryan Talbot were just walking out. They gave him a puzzled glance, feeling he looked somewhat familiar.
Chester Greene immediately straightened his tie and asked, "Excuse me, does a Mr. Preston Sinclair live here?"
Butler Sinclair, who was seeing the guests out, immediately answered, "Yes, he does. And you are, sir?"
The man was about thirty-five or thirty-six, dressed in a gray suit and tie, with a pair of rimless glasses. Carrying a black briefcase, he looked very much like a scholar just returning from an academic conference.
He seemed a little formal as he took a business card from his briefcase and handed it to Butler Sinclair.
"Hello, my name is Chester Greene."
Stella and Ryan were instantly stunned. They exchanged a look and immediately stepped forward to greet him.
Chester Greene, the youngest professor at the Arcadian University School of Physics. He had published numerous papers on quantum mechanics in the world-renowned academic journals *Nature* and *Science*. A famous doctoral advisor at Arcadian University, his knowledge was so profound that it surpassed even that of some of the older professors.
'But why would he suddenly show up at the Sinclair's? And he knows Master Sinclair?'
Stella pressed her lips together. She was no longer in a hurry to leave, deciding to go back inside and see what he was here for.
Though Butler Sinclair didn't know who Chester Greene was, he saw the title "Professor, Arcadian University School of Physics" on the card and hurriedly invited him into the house.
Master Sinclair was at the dining table, sipping a soup Aurora had made for him, when he heard the butler's voice from the entryway.
"Family Head, Professor Chester Greene from the Arcadian University School of Physics is here!"
"Who?" Master Sinclair looked completely bewildered.
'Arcadian University? A physics professor?'
He quickly rose and went to the living room, where he exchanged extremely polite pleasantries with the professor.
"May I ask what brings Professor Greene here?"
Chester Greene took out his phone, pulled up a screenshot, and said very politely, "Mr. Sinclair, I'm here to apply for the private tutor position!"
The moment he said this, the room fell silent.
Everyone in the room wore an expression of shock, as if he had just told a preposterous joke.
Chester Greene rubbed his nose, thinking, 'That brat Alvin Morgan really screwed me over!'
'He dragged me all the way back here to tutor a high school student, didn't even tell the family the real reason, and now I have to make up an excuse. He's totally screwing over his senior and doesn't even care!'
And so, he recited the story he had prepared.
"You previously invested in a project that was a great help to me! I never had the opportunity to thank you properly. Consider this my way of repaying the favor!"
After his initial shock, Master Sinclair quickly recovered. Although he couldn't recall investing in any project related to Chester Greene, he couldn't contain his overwhelming excitement.
Unable to stop smiling, he loudly called for Aurora to come over.
Standing to the side, Stella bit her lip so hard her nails nearly dug into her palms.
Wearing her apron, Aurora ambled out of the kitchen.
Chester Greene discreetly sized her up. Aside from her blank expression, he really couldn't see what was so special about her that would make a person like Alvin Morgan go to such great lengths.
Master Sinclair cheerfully beckoned Aurora over and introduced Chester Greene.
"Aurora, this is Professor Greene from the Arcadian University School of Physics. He's here today to be your tutor. Quick, greet Professor Greene!"
Aurora blinked and gave him a formal, proper bow.
Chester Greene was taken aback for a moment before a smile spread across his face. 'This kid is so polite!'
"Please, stand up. From now on, I'll be teaching you physics, chemistry, biology, and math! Another teacher will handle the remaining subjects, is that all right?"
Aurora obediently nodded.
Chester Greene thought to himself, 'Aside from not smiling or talking much, she's very pretty and has a docile temperament. No wonder Alvin is so taken with her!'
He'd met his fair share of young ladies from the great families of Kingsford, but none were as quiet and tranquil as she was.
'I have no idea how the Sinclair family raised her. That gaze of hers is so pure!'
Chester Greene was very pleased with his new student. At the very least, he loved the first impression she made!
Just then, Stella, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke. "Professor Greene, won't this take up too much of your time for research?"