Chapter 164: Chapter 164: Twenty Minutes
Luna Axton glanced up and glared at Blaze Fairchild in the rearview mirror, who was looking right back at her.
He knew perfectly well it had nothing to do with her classmate Peter Peterson, yet he was still being passive-aggressive.
She rested her head on one hand, leaning against the armrest, and said in frustration, "Fame is a double-edged sword. Not only am I pregnant, but I’m also incredibly famous now. Forget the whole university—all the students and professors in my department know I’m married to you."
"Isn’t that a good thing? Your husband isn’t some rickety old man, so your classmates don’t have to feel sorry that your beauty is going to waste."
’Hmph, so he heard everything!’
The corners of Luna Axton’s lips secretly curled up. When she realized it, she forced them back down. She couldn’t let Blaze Fairchild ruin the frustrated mood she had worked so hard to build up.
"It’s not good. My classmate just wanted to talk to me about the Medical Skills Competition. But because you were there, he didn’t even dare to speak to me."
As she spoke, she let out a soft sigh, occasionally gazing out the window, putting on a pitiful act.
"And the professors... If they’re all going to be like the one today, class will be a lot less interesting."
A playful smile touched Blaze Fairchild’s lips. He could clearly see she was putting on an act and knew she wanted to join the Medical Skills Competition. But this was a rare opportunity, so he deliberately decided to string her along.
"What’s so great about a skills competition? It’s tiring, and the prize money is small. Say a few things I like to hear, and I’ll give you ten times the prize money."
A wave of helplessness, like punching cotton, washed over her. Luna Axton was so angry her chest heaved a few times.
’Is it money I’m lacking?’
’My total assets are in the billions now, for crying out loud.’
She wanted to join the competition. Composing herself, she patiently began to explain its importance to Blaze Fairchild.
"The prize money is secondary. What’s important is that a good result in the skills competition is an advantage when it comes to choosing a hospital for my internship."
For the past two years, she’d been busy with part-time jobs and taking care of her hospitalized mother. Even with excellent grades, without the boost from a competition record, her chances of getting her top choice for an internship weren’t great.
"Mm-hmm." Blaze Fairchild nodded repeatedly, indicating that he understood.
Luna Axton thought that Blaze Fairchild now understood the importance of the Medical Skills Competition to her. She waited for a moment, but he didn’t say anything further.
’What did that "Mm-hmm" mean?’
’Does he not want me to participate, or does he agree?’
She wanted to get a clear answer from Blaze Fairchild, but the car had already stopped in front of Pinehurst Estate.
Blaze Fairchild got out, opened her door, and took her hand to help her out of the car. "Go on inside. I’ll be right there after I park."
"Okay." Luna Axton had no choice but to set aside the matter of the Medical Skills Competition for the time being.
With her belly getting bigger, this was different from her observership at Concordia Medical Hall. She really wasn’t sure if Blaze Fairchild would let her participate.
’In any case, I’ll do my best to convince him.’
Luna Axton bit her lip.
’Or if Blaze brings up... *that*... I could help him with it.’
Hearing the sound of the engine, Julian Fairchild knew his grandson and granddaughter-in-law were back.
He gave the lawyers a look. "Let’s stop here for today. Come back tomorrow afternoon."
’Luna has class tomorrow afternoon, and Blaze won’t be home either.’
The lawyers all understood. They packed up their documents and laptops, then rose to take their leave.
Luna Axton watched the three men walk out; she didn’t recognize them.
The three men nodded. "Good afternoon, Young Madam."
She smiled politely. "Hello."
After watching the three men leave, she entered the living room and asked Julian Fairchild with concern, "Grandpa, is something wrong?"
Julian Fairchild acted as if he’d only just noticed her. He smiled and said, "Luna, you’re back! Are you hungry? Should I just have Uncle Foster serve lunch?"
Luna Axton could tell that Grandpa didn’t want to elaborate.
She didn’t press the issue and went along with him. "Let’s eat. Blaze went to park the car. By the time he comes back and washes his hands, it’ll be perfect timing."
"Alright." Grandpa Fairchild waved his hand, and Uncle Foster went to tell the kitchen staff to bring out the dishes.
Julian Fairchild fussed with a small ornamental plant on the side table.
’When people want to hide something, they pretend to be busy—just like Grandpa right now.’
Luna Axton discreetly observed her grandfather-in-law’s fingernails and complexion. Ascertaining that there were no health problems, she secretly felt relieved.
The family finished their lunch in peace. Grandpa Fairchild was getting ready for his afternoon nap, so Luna Axton and Blaze Fairchild returned to Lakeside Manor.
"While you were parking, three formally dressed men left Pinehurst Estate. I checked on Grandpa, and he seems fine physically, so it must be about something else."
Luna Axton told Blaze Fairchild what she had discovered, hoping he would divert some of the attention he lavished on her toward his grandfather.
Blaze Fairchild, ever perceptive, casually replied, "What? You don’t want me to drive you to school anymore?"
Luna Axton fell silent for a moment before speaking in a negotiating tone, "That’s not it. You can drive me to school, but can you please not come into the classroom?"
"Fine." He had only gone into the classroom today because that "academic representative" or whatever had rubbed him the wrong way. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered.
Now that his goal was achieved and everyone knew Luna was his wife, there was no need to disturb the class again.
Blaze Fairchild agreed so readily that the persuasive speech she had prepared got stuck in her throat, leaving her momentarily speechless.
Luna Axton’s eyes shimmered. Her moist, pink lips were slightly parted, revealing a long stretch of her neck, which was whiter than snow and seemed to glow. The fine hairs on her skin were faintly visible in the sunlight. His gaze traveled further down...
The sight caused a fire to ignite in Blaze Fairchild’s lower abdomen. His sexy Adam’s apple bobbed as he coaxed, "While I’m in a good mood, is there anything else you want?"
’Blaze Fairchild knows exactly what I want to say. Would he really be this kind?’
Luna Axton looked suspiciously at the casually seated man. When she met his dark, intense gaze, she almost spat out the two words, "You pervert!"
’This guy. He just finished a meal, and he’s already staring at my chest.’
It was an early summer afternoon, and the temperature had risen. After returning to Lakeside Manor, she had taken off the loose shirt she’d worn over her clothes that morning, leaving her in just a long, stretchy spaghetti-strap dress.
She had dressed for comfort, but it had inadvertently given Blaze Fairchild an opportunity.
Luna Axton’s face darkened. She stood up and went into the walk-in closet.
Blaze Fairchild followed her.
He was like a starving wolf that had caught a plump little white rabbit, eager to devour it whole.
Blaze Fairchild wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on Luna Axton’s shoulder. He explained in an aggrieved tone, "If I can’t have it, I just keep thinking about it. I can’t control myself."
Luna Axton remembered what Blaze Fairchild had said that night at Veridian Lake Villa.
She rolled her eyes and teased him, "And who was it that said, ’It’s the last trimester. I’m not that shameless of a man’?"
"I held back last night," Blaze Fairchild said, shamelessly taking credit for his good behavior without a second thought for integrity.
As he spoke, his hot breath fanned the nape of her neck. A trail of soft kisses pressed against her skin as his mischievous hand climbed her peaks.
Having lived together for so long, Blaze Fairchild knew her weak spots all too well. He effortlessly elicited an uncontrollable moan from her lips.
In an instant, as if encouraged, Blaze Fairchild’s kisses deepened.
Luna Axton’s breathing grew ragged, but she clung to her last shred of reason. "I want to participate in the Medical Skills Competition."
’He’s getting everything he wants, so he has to agree to my demand.’
"I only need thirty minutes," Blaze Fairchild replied, which was as good as an agreement.
Luna Axton refused. "That’s too long. My hand will get sore."
Blaze Fairchild’s breathing was heavy. "Twenty-eight minutes." He couldn’t go any shorter.
"Twenty minutes." Luna Axton’s tone was firm, her expression clearly saying, ’Take it or leave it.’
"Fine." Blaze Fairchild compromised. Something was better than nothing.
Afterward, Blaze Fairchild wore a look of utter satisfaction.
He took Luna Axton’s hand and washed it three times with camellia-scented foaming soap.
"Smell it, Luna." He dried her fair, delicate hand and held it up to her nose.
Only after confirming that the musky smell was gone did the color return to Luna Axton’s face.
