The Unveiling of Secret Queen

Chapter 678: Phone Call from City Hospital_1

A whole bunch of people fell silent, and it was Jeff Quinlan who first snapped back to reality, adjusting his frame of mind. He beckoned Derliand Gober into the restaurant.

During the meal, whether it was Ivy Wilmar, Emilia Sullivan, or Ghania Quinlan, everyone ate without any gusto, putting down their utensils after just a few bites, their minds wandering absentmindedly.

Ghania Quinlan’s face was particularly pale throughout, her head bowed. From the moment Nathalie Quinlan and Shawn Norton left to the end of the meal, she hadn’t spoken a word.

*

Shawn Norton had chosen a spot by the window, not a private booth, specifically asking for a relatively quiet corner that also allowed for an open window for fresh air.

Nathalie Quinlan sat by herself on one side, with Shawn Norton and the Tsinghua University principal sitting opposite and beside her, respectively. Shawn Norton ordered a lot of dishes, which were spread lavishly across the table.

Nathalie Quinlan didn’t eat much, taking only a few more bites of the sweet and sour fish and barely touching the other dishes before putting down her utensils. She rested her hand on the edge of the chair, curled up in her seat with her chin in her hand, and her dark, bright eyes spoke to them, "I’m full, you guys go ahead and enjoy your meal."

"That was quick?" Shawn Norton looked up in surprise when he saw her put down her utensils, furrowing his brows with concern as he said, "Is it because the dishes I ordered aren’t to your liking? How about you order something else?"

As he spoke, he passed her the menu.

Nathalie Quinlan took the menu from his hand without looking at it and placed it on the table beside her, shaking her head, "It’s not that."

Her voice was slow and indifferent, with a casual hoarseness, "I was a bit too hungry, felt full after eating a little. It’s not the dishes’ fault."

In fact, it was somewhat related.

The tastes of Shawn Norton and Mr. Wafford leaned towards the sweeter side, choosing more dishes from Shandong and Cantonese cuisine, which often involve adding honey and sugar, giving the dishes a sweeter aftertaste.

Nathalie Quinlan, however, particularly disliked sweet things.

And the presentation of the dishes was the same.

She had a penchant for spicy, favoring stronger salt and oil flavors, and had little enthusiasm for this style of cuisine, which was served prettily plated and with barely a wisp of steam rising from it.

But she didn’t want to embarrass Shawn Norton, lifting her eyes politely, "You guys go ahead and eat, don’t mind me. I’ll play with my phone and listen to you chat."

This meant she wasn’t in a hurry to leave.

Shawn Norton felt a warmth in his heart, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth. He didn’t insist on her joining him for the meal and, after glancing at her, turned his head back to discuss school affairs with Mr. Wafford.

Nathalie Quinlan would also be attending Tsinghua University next year, and he was determined to return there to teach.

He claimed it was only to tutor Nathalie Quinlan, but with the title of Honorary Professor of the Music Department at Tsinghua University, he would certainly give one or two large lectures from time to time.

He was negotiating with the Tsinghua principal about how many times he would teach each month.

Nathalie Quinlan listened to their sporadic haggling while nested on the edge of her chair. She turned on her phone and finally found time to check her messages.

The first to catch her eye were the messages sent by Amadeus Yancey.

[Have you arrived? Why haven’t you called?]

[Not yet?]

The most recent message had been sent five minutes earlier.

[Remember to let me know when you get there, so I don’t worry.]

And then it dawned on her.

Rubbing her temples, Nathalie Quinlan only then remembered she had promised to inform him, seemingly having told him she would let him know upon meeting Shawn Norton at the hotel.

In the end, she had forgotten all about it due to the plethora of activities.

She pursed her lips, her gaze sweeping over the three neatly arranged messages on the phone, feeling a bit of a headache.

Actually, it wasn’t really her fault. She had never reported her whereabouts to anyone before and still wasn’t used to this.

Just as Nathalie Quinlan was about to reply to the messages,

suddenly, a call from City Hospital came in—