Letting out a small cough, she reluctantly took the bowl from Henrik’s hand. “I guess bitterness isn’t so bad after all. I’ll handle it myself.”
Bracing herself, she took a deep breath and began sipping the soup, slowly but steadily. Henrik watched as Khloe grimaced with each sip, her face subtly contorting, but she stubbornly persisted until the bowl was empty.
Watching Khloe’s stubborn demeanor, Henrik felt a wave of tenderness and affection for her. He reached out and patted her head, his voice gentle. “Good job, you finished that fast.”
If Henrik’s subordinates could witness this rare moment of warmth and praise, they’d be completely stunned. This deserved praise? They endured grueling training daily, often leaving bruised and battered, but never once had Henrik offered them a single compliment.
Khloe flushed slightly, feeling a bit awkward at being patted and praised, as though she were a little kid being
Humored, yet strangely comforted, Khloe couldn’t help but feel a sense of security in the moment. Henrik, noticing her response, inquired, “You’ve got classes at Zhecrora University, right?”
“Yes,” Khloe confirmed, unfazed by his knowledge. It was only natural for someone like him to have access to information that others wouldn’t.
“Rhett teaches there, so he’ll keep an eye on you,” Henrik said with a casual shrug.
“Rhett? Isn’t he the CEO of Evergreen Capital?” Khloe asked, her curiosity piqued.
It struck her as strange how Henrik’s subordinates were so multi-talented. Despite Evergreen Capital’s success, Rhett still had the time and energy to teach at Zhecrora University.
“He actually started out studying biology and medicine. Evergreen Capital is just something he manages to keep attention away from his real interests. He doesn’t deal with investments at all-he doesn’t even know the first thing about them.” That made sense.
Khloe nodded, starting to understand.
That explained a lot. She had always thought that Rhett didn’t have the usual cutthroat businessman vibe but instead carried a more academic, thoughtful presence.
Even so, it was hard to picture how Rhett ended up working with Henrik. Khloe wondered how they had crossed paths.
But since Rhett had clearly chosen to keep his relationship with Henrik private, Khloe decided not to pry. Some things, after all, were best left untouched.
As she drifted into her thoughts, Henrik abruptly scooped her up.
Khloe instinctively wrapped her arms and legs around him, holding on tightly as though seeking reassurance. “What do you think you’re doing?” she asked.
“Take a break, or you’ll be restless all night again,” Henrik said as he carefully helped Khloe onto the bed.
He then reached for the aromatherapy diffuser on the nightstand and turned it on. Soft, pale blue smoke began to rise, swirling gently in the air like light ribbons.
The fragrance started as a faint whisper, a gentle, calming scent that gradually deepened as the smoke rose. It reminded her of a garden in full bloom, sweet and captivating. The aroma carried the grounding warmth of sandalwood, the fresh scent of jasmine, and a touch of an unfamiliar herb, creating a serene and balanced atmosphere.
Khloe inhaled deeply, letting the comforting fragrance fill her lungs. The tension in her body slowly eased as the soothing scent took effect.
It smelled wonderful.
Khloe’s eyes lit up in appreciation as she looked at Henrik, her hand resting on his thigh. “Where did you get this? I’d love to have some,” she asked, her hand inching a little too close to his manhood.
Henrik stiffened slightly, his breathing quickening. He took her hand in his, his voice low and hushed. “I made it myself. If you’d like, I can make more for you.”
Realizing she had overstepped, Khloe felt a flush of embarrassment. She had been a little too relaxed recently. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to,” she said quietly, trying to pull her hand away.
But Henrik didn’t let go, his gaze fixed on hers, only softening when he looked at her lying on the bed.
Forcing aside the thoughts he shouldn’t entertain, Henrik said, “I’ll show you how to make it when I get the chance. For now, just try to relax and get some rest.”
Khloe closed her eyes as instructed, feeling the tension melt away with the calming fragrance. Unlike before, she drifted into a peaceful sleep quickly.
Her long lashes rested like soft feathers, her breathing steady and calm. Her face appeared even more delicate and serene in the dim light.
Henrik sat by her side, quietly watching her sleep. After a while, he leaned down and gently kissed her forehead.
The following morning, Khloe planned to visit Zhecrora University.
Although she was only an auditing student, the university’s admission process was still demanding. It was the first day of school, and the campus was buzzing with students and parents. Khloe’s striking appearance turned heads the moment she stepped onto the campus. People couldn’t help but glance at her, stealing looks as she walked by.
Khloe saw the signs and made her way toward the new student registration area. Suddenly, someone emerged from the crowd and called to her.
The person, dressed in a white T-shirt and jeans, looked youthful and quite handsome. He greeted Khloe with a confident smile.
“Hello, are you new here? I’m Julian Loftus, a third-year student. Would you like to be friends? I can show you to the dormitory.”
His approach was a bit forward, but his tone was kind, and his gaze was sincere, free from any hidden agenda. While another girl might have been charmed by his openness, Khloe remained indifferent.
Her eyes scanned him, pausing on the camera in his hand. “Are you with the campus media?” she asked.
Julian was momentarily caught off guard, then nodded with a touch of pride. “Yeah! I’m the head of the campus TV station. Actually, I was hoping to interview you, which is why I approached you.”
“Well, in that case, how about helping me with a story?” Khloe replied, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
After Khloe completed the formalities, Julian escorted her to the biomedical science department. While Zhecrora University itself was already impressive, this exclusive class, reserved for students from elite families, was even more remarkable.
The building’s exterior exuded grandeur, with a sleek, modern design and glass curtain walls that gleamed in the sunlight. Inside, the space was equally luxurious, featuring spacious, well-lit classrooms equipped with cutting-edge technology like smart boards and multimedia projectors.
As they entered, Julian couldn’t help but ask, “Do you actually attend classes here? There’s only one class, and it’s full of students from high-society families…”
He trailed off, but the implication was clear: without a prestigious background, fitting in here might be difficult.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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