Chapter 417: Chapter 417: The Best Way to Resolve Our Current Conflict
Claire Sinclair patiently pleaded her case, but all she got in return was his complaint. "You’re going so far away. I’ll worry too much."
Since he would worry no matter what, Claire gave up. "Fine, I won’t go then. I’ll just stay cooped up at home and sleep for seven days."
Adrian Quincy gazed at her sullen face and said in a deep voice, "Claire, I’m just worried about you."
"I know. That’s why I’m not going anywhere. This way, you won’t have to worry."
Adrian was silent for a moment before finally speaking. "Let me think about it."
Claire Sinclair didn’t say anything.
’Truthfully, she wasn’t angry, just a little disappointed.’
’They say you should take a spontaneous, drop-everything-and-go trip when you’re young so you don’t have regrets. While he was still just a presidential candidate and she was still just Claire Sinclair, the journalist, she wanted to travel to the places she longed to see. Otherwise, once she became the first lady, would she ever be able to travel abroad with the carefree spirit of a tourist again?’
’By then, any travel would be an official state visit, constrained at every turn.’
’It was pathetic, really. This concern, all in the name of love, left her unable to refuse.’
As these thoughts filled her mind, Claire felt even more upset and lost her appetite. She stood up. "I’m full. You take your time."
"Claire." Adrian abruptly stood up, reaching out to pull her to a stop.
Claire turned to face him. "What?"
"Do you really have to go to Meridia?"
"I’m not going anymore."
"Claire, don’t be like this."
"I understand you’re worried about me. But it seems I can’t go anywhere in this life anyway. I can only live under your constant watch. If this is the life you want for me, what else can I do but obey?"
Adrian finally gave in. "You can go to Meridia. I’ll send people to protect you."
But now, Claire suddenly wasn’t in the mood anymore. It wasn’t that she was being difficult; she just didn’t like being indulged so reluctantly.
"I’m not going. I suddenly don’t want to anymore."
"I’ll go with you," he suddenly said, changing his tune.
Claire was stunned for a second. "Huh?"
’Did I hear that right???’
Adrian said in a deep voice, "I was originally scheduled to give a speech at Meridia University next month. Since you want to go, I’ll move the plan forward. But you’ll have to be a little flexible with my timing; changing plans this suddenly requires a lot of adjustments."
"You’re giving a speech at Meridia University?" Claire was incredulous.
Meridia University was the top-ranked university not just in Meridia, but in the entire world. The entrance standards were incredibly high; every student who got in was a bona fide genius. And anyone invited to stand on its lecture stage had to possess extraordinary talent and insight.
’Does this guy have to be so exceptional...? It’s making me feel a bit inadequate.’
"So, what do you think?" Adrian asked in return.
Claire felt a pang of guilt. "Won’t this cause a lot of trouble for you?"
Adrian replied with a calm expression, "I believe this is the best way to resolve our conflict."
’Conflict?’
Hearing that word, Claire realized this was their first argument since getting married. It hadn’t been a heated fight, but she knew that if she had been the one to give in, it would have surely led to a bigger conflict down the road.
’He was right. This solution was the best of both worlds. At least in the end, neither of them was simply giving in to the other.’
At this thought, Claire’s worries lifted. But she still had one thing to declare. "You’ll probably head back right after your speech, right? Well, I’m not coming back with you that quickly."
"We’ll talk about it then," Adrian said in his deep voice.
’From his tone, it seemed the plan was still subject to change. After all, he wasn’t someone who did things without a purpose; he always had a perfect plan for everything.’
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