Hugo's expression darkened.
Lucien, oblivious to the tension, remained smug after defeating John earlier. Still basking in his perceived victory, he tried to fan the flames further.
"Brother Lopez, are you familiar with the Long family?"
"We're just casual acquaintances," John replied calmly.
Lucien sneered. "Ha! Casual? If it's really that casual, why do you care so much about the Long family's daughter?"
Huh?
Interesting.
John, of course, understood exactly what this fool was trying to do—drive a wedge between him and Bertha. He was practically shouting, "Bertha, your boyfriend's been cheating on you this whole time. He's a liar, a playboy!"
This... this was what they call scheming!
This was sowing discord!
But Lucien just didn't have the brainpower to pull it off properly.
John's lips curved into a faint, amused smile. He wrapped an arm around Bertha's waist and sighed deliberately.
"Well, Lucien's got a point. I just can't seem to shake off my bad habits..."
He paused dramatically.
"But it's not entirely my fault. My wife here—she's just too good-tempered. Spoiled me rotten."
Lucien froze.
A mental question mark practically hovered above his head.
Wait, what?!
Was this guy admitting to his affairs?
And not only that, he was blaming Bertha for it? Saying it was because she was too tolerant?
How the hell was that okay?!
Lucien turned toward Bertha in disbelief. "Bertha... can you really tolerate this kind of behavior?"
Bertha rubbed her forehead, already feeling the headache coming on. "I like him. What else can I do if I can't tolerate it?"
The room went quiet. Lucien's expression cracked.
What... what did she just say?!
She liked him, so she was okay with him flirting with other women?
Wasn't love supposed to be possessive? Shouldn't the more she cared about him, the more she would want to keep him away from others?
Since when did Master Bertha—the pride of the martial arts world—become so... humble?
Lucien felt like he'd been stabbed in the chest.
The goddess he had admired and longed for all this time... was being submissive to this man?
He couldn't accept it. Not at all.
Clenching his fists, Lucien pressed on. "Bertha, does he have something on you? Just say the word—I'll help you out today."
Bertha rolled her eyes. "There's nothing like that going on... Don't drag me into this mess. Let's talk about something else."
She clearly didn't want to continue the conversation. From beginning to end, she knew John was just teasing Lucien, pushing his buttons on purpose.
If he kept going, things would only escalate.
Bertha never intended to humiliate Lucien publicly. Her goal was simple: make him give up his pursuit. It didn't have to end in disaster.
John understood her thoughts immediately.
Given that Lucien was the senior of his seventh sister, John decided to ease off. He turned toward Hugo and shifted the conversation back.
"Dean Smith, earlier I mentioned Sophia's admission—do you think it's feasible?"
Hugo smiled, clearly grateful for the subject change.
"I overheard your conversation. That girl Sophia may be a little older, but she's brave and determined. I think it's worth giving her a shot."
"Thank you, Dean Smith!"
Lucien interjected, "But Vice Dean Smith, our school is working closely with the Martial Arts League. Every student we recruit must have a certain level of martial talent—"
"Mr. Ward, are you trying to teach me how to do my job?" Hugo cut him off coldly.
"As Vice Dean of Houston Martial Arts School, don't I even have the authority to approve a student's admission?"
Vice Dean Smith... Vice Dean Smith...
Could you stop emphasizing the 'Vice' part?
Hugo cursed silently in frustration.
Lucien's face turned pale. "I'm sorry, Vice Dean Smith. I would never presume to—"
"Then shut up."
John glanced at Bertha's beautiful face and silently asked, "How has this guy survived in society so far?"
Bertha rolled her eyes as if saying, "Don't ask me."
Lucien had officially ruined Hugo's mood.
It wasn't until Hugo received a call from his assistant—informing him that Director Flaherty had returned—that his expression softened a little.
"Bertha, your teacher just got back. She's in her office now. I'll take you to see her," Hugo said kindly. Then he turned to Lucien and added in a much colder tone, "Mr. Ward, this doesn't concern you. You're free to go back to work."
Lucien opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately swallowed it.
He had no choice but to retreat. Before leaving, he threw a final, venomous glare at John—a clear warning.
Bertha let out a long breath. "Finally, he's gone."
Today, she had come to visit her teacher, only to discover she was out of the office. While catching up with Hugo and reminiscing about her time on campus, Lucien had spotted them and attached himself like glue.
She'd hinted more than once that he was a teacher now and probably very busy—he didn't need to follow her around.
A not-so-subtle "Please leave" wrapped in politeness.
But Lucien had just smiled brightly and said, "No, no. No matter how busy I am, I'm not as busy as Vice Dean Smith. Besides, ever since you went off to train at the Central US Martial Arts League, you rarely come back. I have to spend time with you!"
No matter how she tried to shake him, he stuck around. In the end, she had no choice but to call John for help.
As fate would have it, John had just finished his business with the Long family and was nearby. Perfect timing to step into the role of boyfriend.
Bertha had hoped Lucien would take the hint and leave. Instead, he shamelessly continued to follow them around campus.
And since he was her senior, she couldn't just outright reject him.
"Yes, he finally left," Bertha repeated with relief.
Hugo chimed in from the side. "You're not the only one glad."
The two of them turned to him with surprise.
John chuckled. "Dean Smith, I didn't expect you to find that idiot annoying too."
Hugo cleared his throat. "That idiot is really... not the brightest. Ahem. Young man, don't talk nonsense. Mr. Ward is excellent in every way. Yes, very excellent."
Bertha stuck out her tongue. "Vice Dean Smith, you accidentally revealed your true feelings."
But Hugo didn't mind her teasing. A charming, clever girl calling him "Vice Dean Smith" didn't bother him in the slightest.
It was only when that idiot said it over and over again that it grated on his nerves—like he was doing it on purpose.
What rotten luck.