Reborn with My Genius Husband

Chapter 171: Your Dad Is Here, Let Go Already

Buses were infrequent at Jarton Second High. You had to squeeze onto the first one if you could, or else you’d be waiting another half hour for the next.

Their break was short enough as it was; they couldn’t afford to waste time on things like this.

The three of them used to have one person scramble aboard first to save seats with their backpacks, and then the other two would climb in after.

A minute or two later, the call with Iris Kensington, which had dropped, connected again. She was panting as she said, "Holly, we’re on the bus! We’ll be there in thirty or forty minutes. Put some water in the fridge for me, it’s so hot."

"This year’s freshmen are savages. We almost didn’t make it on."

Holly Winslow couldn’t help but chuckle. Then she said, "Okay, there’s coke in the fridge..."

Just as she said that, she heard the door open. She looked toward the entrance. "Dad, you’re back."

Wyatt Winslow set down the fruit he was carrying and went to get a glass of water.

Holly Winslow exchanged a few more words with Iris Kensington before hanging up. Then, she reached over to grab some fruit.

Seeing this, Wyatt Winslow looked a little exasperated. He walked over and handed it to her, his voice deep. "Don’t do that. You could fall."

Holly Winslow pulled out an orange and said sweetly, "I won’t. Dad’s here."

"Dad, I’m going for barbecue with Anna and the others later. You should come with us."

Anna Willow and Iris Kensington were staying over tonight, so they’d have plenty of time to chat.

"No, I have to go out later." Wyatt Winslow knew the kids wouldn’t be able to relax if he was there.

Holly Winslow knew he was lying. She pouted, pretending to be upset. "Dad, you’re so busy you don’t even have time to eat with me. I wanted you to come so I could eat a little longer."

"It’s not safe for us girls to go home after dark."

She glanced at Wyatt Winslow out of the corner of her eye. Seeing him hesitate, she secretly pressed her lips into a smile.

Wyatt Winslow hesitated for a moment. "I’ll come pick you up then."

Holly Winslow let out a disappointed "Oh." "Dad, I haven’t had a meal with you in a month. If we don’t eat together tonight, you’ll be at work tomorrow and I’ll be at school. We won’t get another chance."

Wyatt Winslow’s lips pressed tighter together. After a minute or two, he relented. "I won’t go out."

...

「The Quincy Residence」

After his shower, Mortimer Quincy came downstairs and glanced at Zeke Zane, who was playing video games on the sofa. He raised an eyebrow and said dryly, "You don’t even know where your girlfriend is eating? Don’t tell me you’re just her backup plan."

Zeke Zane: "..."

’Backup plan, my ass.’

Then Mortimer Quincy added, "Seeing as you begged me, I’ll take you."

Zeke Zane: "..."

’You’re the one who wants to go, but you’re using me as an excuse. So shameless.’

Mortimer Quincy raised his arm to check his watch. He figured his girl and her friends hadn’t left yet. He’d wait a bit longer and give her a surprise.

Little did he know, a "surprise" was waiting for him.

...

Wyatt Winslow took the three girls to a barbecue restaurant. It was nearly four o’clock, so it wasn’t peak dinner time, and only a few tables were occupied.

The waiter handed the menu directly to him, but he pushed it toward Holly Winslow and her two friends, who were sitting in a row. "Order whatever you want."

Facing Wyatt Winslow, Anna Willow and Iris Kensington were still a bit reserved. Holly Winslow nudged their arms and said, half-jokingly, "Don’t worry, my dad can afford it."

Wyatt Winslow just grunted in agreement.

Under the powerful allure of the food, Anna Willow and Iris Kensington ordered several meat dishes. Holly Winslow didn’t hold back either, ordering a few things herself, including two or three dishes that Wyatt Winslow liked.

After a while, Anna Willow and Iris Kensington shed their reservations and started chattering excitedly with Holly Winslow about school. A few times, they almost had a slip of the tongue and mentioned "Holly’s star student boyfriend."

They glanced cautiously at Wyatt Winslow, but he didn’t seem to react. He must not have heard.

After a few sips of water, Holly Winslow went to the restroom.

Just then, Mortimer Quincy and Zeke Zane entered the barbecue restaurant. Zeke tensed up and called out, "Mortimer, wait a sec."

Mortimer Quincy shot him a look. Seeing how timid he was, Mortimer ruthlessly mocked him with a single word, "Wimp."

Zeke Zane: "..."

’I’m not going to argue with him.’

’I really am being a wimp.’

’It’s my first time in a relationship. I’m kind of freaking out.’

’Do I look a little ugly?’

Mortimer Quincy’s gaze landed on Holly Winslow as she came out of the restroom. She then walked up to the counter and started talking to someone.

The male waiter at the counter kept looking at her.

His eyes darkened. Ignoring Zeke Zane, he strode over and wrapped an arm around Holly Winslow’s shoulders from behind. "Holly."

Startled by the sudden embrace, Holly Winslow jumped. When she realized who it was, she asked in shock, "What are you doing here?"

Dissatisfied with her expression, Mortimer Quincy’s brow furrowed. "Are there other guys here with you?"

Holly Winslow: "..."

She rolled her eyes at him. ’He’s getting addicted to this whole ’catching me cheating’ act.’ Then she jabbed him in the chest with her elbow. "Your father-in-law is here. Let go, now!"

Mortimer Quincy thought she was joking and chuckled. "If you can get my dad over here, I’ll let go."

When Holly Winslow didn’t come back after a while, Wyatt Winslow came out to check on her, only to see Mortimer Quincy with his arm around her at the counter.

The staff were all watching.

He pressed his lips together, his expression hardening. He walked over. "What are you two doing standing here?"

Hearing Wyatt Winslow’s voice, Mortimer Quincy froze for a second. He then calmly pulled his hand back and said politely, "Uncle Winslow."

Holly Winslow ignored his silent plea for help and snickered on the side. ’Serves you right for being so flirty all the time. Busted by Dad.’

Wyatt Winslow wanted to give the two of them a lecture, but with so many people around, he just said, "Let’s go inside."

...

What was originally a group of four had become six, with three people sitting on each side of the table.

Holly Winslow looked at Mortimer Quincy, who was sitting ramrod straight between them, looking too scared to move. She tried to stifle her laughter, but eventually couldn’t hold it in and let out a few chuckles before quickly taking a sip of water to suppress it.

Mortimer Quincy decided to let his gloating girlfriend off the hook for now.

’My father-in-law is right next to me. I don’t dare move.’

Zeke Zane, who had been wondering what to say to Anna Willow, was now too scared to say anything at all.

They finished their barbecue in this strange atmosphere. Wyatt Winslow paid the bill, then looked at the kids, pressing his lips together.

’This is giving me a headache.’

After about ten seconds, he said, "Be home before nine."

Holly Winslow nodded. "We will strictly obey."

Before leaving, Wyatt Winslow shot a look at Mortimer Quincy, a clear warning to behave himself.

Mortimer Quincy: "..."

’All my brownie points with my father-in-law have probably been deducted.’

Once Wyatt Winslow was gone, Holly Winslow gloatingly poked Mortimer Quincy, who was sitting beside her. "So, tell me, did you enjoy your little cheating bust?"

Mortimer Quincy grabbed her hand, their fingers naturally intertwining. "It was a bit thrilling. Next time something like this happens, remember to give me a heads-up."

Holly Winslow smiled so wide her eyes curved into crescents. "Nope. I have to give you a chance to catch me."

As the two got lovey-dovey, Anna Willow and Iris Kensington watched with knowing, almost pervy, grins.

Then, Iris Kensington gave Anna Willow a push, nudging her closer to Zeke Zane.

Although Anna Willow was usually an outgoing girl, she was still shy when it came to romance. She shot a glare at Iris Kensington.

Then, pretending to be casual, she spoke to Zeke Zane. "Why aren’t you at home doing your homework?"

Zeke Zane glanced at her profile. Her face was softly rounded, and her eyelashes were quite long. "I came to find you."

Anna Willow blushed all the way to her neck. "Why look for me? It’s not like I was going to run away."

Zeke Zane didn’t know how to respond to that. "..."

The two of them stood there with nothing to say, an awkward and shy atmosphere settling between them.

Iris Kensington burst out laughing from the side, which earned her several pinches from Anna Willow, who said through gritted teeth, "Ellie, do you have a death wish?"