Reborn with My Genius Husband

Chapter 180: Julian Carlton: "Holly Winslow, You Brought a Plus-One!

Holly didn’t understand the first sentence. ’What does my blushing have to do with it being dark?’

When she heard the second sentence, it clicked. Scholar Quincy was saying something inappropriate again. "..."

She shot him a look and pretended to be disgusted, moving a little farther away. "No need. I know you’re shameless—the most shameless person in the whole world."

"I was just worried my dear wife didn’t know. I was thinking maybe we should revisit last night’s ’scene.’"

Mortimer Quincy chuckled, wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and pulled her into his embrace. He raised an eyebrow and added, "Actually, I can be even more shameless."

After speaking, he quickly lowered his head and gave her a peck. "Shameless enough? If not, how about another one?"

Holly Winslow: "..."

’Even the city walls aren’t as thick-skinned as he is. How much more shameless can he get?’

Fortunately, everyone’s attention was on Paul Powell and Luna Lynch right now, so no one saw them.

She pushed him away and mumbled with a pout, "Behave yourself."

When five o’clock arrived, it was time for Holly to head to the Class 8 gathering. She instinctively tried to get up, but the hand on her waist didn’t budge. "..."

That rascal Mortimer Quincy knew she had to go but refused to let go. She was sure he was doing it on purpose.

He wanted to go.

’Why "wanted" and not "thought about" going?’

’When it came to things he could act on, Scholar Quincy never settled for just thinking about them.’

She turned her head to look at the boy beside her, who was putting on a lazy, innocent act.

She couldn’t resist reaching out and pinching his cheek. "Quincy the Puppy, are you coming or not? If not, I’m leaving without you."

She had been debating whether to bring Mortimer Quincy along anyway, since he wasn’t very familiar with the people in Class 8.

"Yo, Mortimer, are you a victim of domestic abuse? HAHAHAHA," Pantheon teased from the side.

Mortimer Quincy wasn’t the least bit embarrassed. He took Holly’s hand, stood up, and shot Pantheon a cool glance. "Try not to be too jealous."

"It wouldn’t do you any good, anyway."

Pantheon: "..."

’Like hell I’m jealous!’

After they left the private room, he let out a frustrated howl at the ceiling. "I’m gonna sing ’Happy Breakup’ for you!"

Boris Owens, who had just been through a breakup, felt that sting. He couldn’t help but kick Pantheon, returning the favor. "Zeke, queue up ’Lonely Single Dog’ for me."

The group was a rowdy mess in the private room. Holly and Mortimer, who hadn’t gone far, heard everything, and Holly couldn’t help but chuckle.

She suddenly remembered something. To keep Anna Willow and Iris Kensington from being too shocked, she took out her phone and sent a message to their "Three Little Fairies" group chat: To my two beautiful little fairies, a formal announcement.

I’m bringing a plus-one.

Number One Popped-Up Fairy Anna Willow: !!!!

Number Two Popped-Up Fairy Iris Kensington: Chris Chaucer isn’t coming back today. I refuse to eat dog food.

Holly chuckled. Eat more dog food. It’ll make you grow taller.

Anna Willow: If Ellie gets any taller, I’ll probably have to crane my neck to see her.

Holly Winslow and Iris Kensington: "..."

Iris Kensington wrote: Anna, you’re the one who needs to eat more dog food.

Anna Willow was the shortest of the three, at only 5’3".

Anna Willow: This Anna hereby declares that our friendship is over for five minutes.

The five-minute countdown begins now.

...

When they arrived at the hot pot restaurant, most of the people from Class 8 were already there. Julian Carlton had arrived as well. He smiled kindly at the "cousins" and said half-jokingly, "Holly, you brought a plus-one, I see."

Anna Willow and Iris Kensington, who were already seated, exchanged mischievous grins.

’Old Calder, you’re a regular prophet.’

Holly, having been called out: "..."

She nodded, rubbed the tip of her nose, then pointed to Mortimer Quincy beside her. "Mr. Carlton, this is my boyfriend, Mortimer Quincy."

Julian Carlton didn’t really process her words, subconsciously assuming she had said, "Mr. Carlton, this is my cousin, Mortimer Quincy."

He chuckled. "I know. Welcome."

The words had barely left his mouth when he realized what she’d said. He froze. "What did you just say?"

’Boyfriend?’

’I must have misheard.’

Anna Willow and Iris Kensington covered their mouths to stifle their laughter. Everyone else had the same reaction as Gabe Chaucer—they thought they had misheard, yet at the same time, felt like they hadn’t.

Facing everyone’s stares, Mortimer Quincy calmly extended his hand. "Hello, Mr. Carlton. I’m Holly Winslow’s boyfriend, Mortimer Quincy."

"We’re not cousins."

A collective HISS went through the crowd, a clear sign they were quite shocked.

’The "cousins" turning into a couple is practically the drama of the year.’

Julian Carlton was still struggling to process it all, but he reached out and shook Mortimer’s hand. It was as if the phrase "Holly’s boyfriend" had been burned into his brain, because he blurted out, "Hello, Holly’s boyfriend."

Holly Winslow: "..."

’Old Calder’s ability to adapt is amazing.’

Anna Willow and Iris Kensington couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst out laughing, their chairs even rattling with the force of it.

Realizing what he had just said, the look on Julian Carlton’s face was truly indescribable. "..."

As shocked as he was, he was no longer in a position to stop them from dating early. He finally let out a sigh. "This is a pretty big graduation surprise."

’So that’s where that strange feeling I had back then came from.’

’They weren’t cousins at all.’

’They were dating.’

He had been so wary of Xavier Jennings, even going out of his way to keep an eye on him. Ahem, he’d even mentioned a thing or two to Xavier’s parents.

’I wronged Xavier.’

’It’s a good thing Xavier isn’t here today. If he were, I’d owe him an apology for letting him take the blame all this time.’

Hearing his words, Holly couldn’t help but smile, then bowed apologetically. "Mr. Carlton, I’m sorry."

Julian Carlton waved his hand dismissively and said, half-joking, "You’ll be sorry if you don’t do well on your exams. If you don’t, I’m telling your dad."

Holly "sensibly" didn’t mention that Wyatt Winslow already knew. She nodded and promised, "Don’t worry, Mr. Carlton. I’ll definitely do well."

Since it was getting late, they didn’t eat for long and broke up around eight. Before they left, Julian Carlton told them not to linger outside and then sent a message to all their parents right in front of them.

The boys who had been planning to go out and play video games couldn’t help but wail, "Old Calder~"

"Calling for Old Calder won’t help. All of you, hurry home. If you want to have fun, you can do it tomorrow. You have over two months, enough time to play your skin off," Julian Carlton said with a chuckle, waving them away.

Holly’s curfew was nine o’clock. Mortimer got her to her doorstep at 8:59 on the dot and gave her a gentle reminder, "I’ll be checking in on you every day, so remember to keep your phone with you."

"Check for what? To see if the grass is greener somewhere else?" Holly stuck her tongue out at him.

Mortimer rapped her on the head and said ominously, "You just try and see if that grass is greener. Not a single blade of green is allowed."

"Don’t go too wild when you’re away. Stick with your dad at all times."

"I know."

Holly huffed softly, then stood on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss. "Your wife will bring you back a present. You be a good boy at home and don’t go chasing other girls."

"If I find out, you’re a dead man walking!"

"Alright. But if you’re ’asking’ me to do things for you, there has to be a reward." Mortimer cupped her face, lowered his head, and kissed her. Holly wrapped her arms around his waist, reciprocating.

Suddenly, Holly’s phone rang, startling them both. Unsurprisingly, it was Wyatt Winslow.

Mortimer stared at the phone screen with a look of plaintive sorrow.

’It feels like the ’Father-in-Law’ boss battle is going to be the toughest one of my life.’

The door opened quickly. Wyatt Winslow’s gaze swept over the two of them standing apart outside, finally landing on Holly. He adopted the look of a strict father. "What are you doing standing outside? It’s nine o’clock already. It’s not safe."

Mortimer Quincy: "..."

He suspected the word "unsafe" was meant for him.