Boss, Your Ex-Wife is Unreachable Now! novel Chapter 12

Willow was stunned. He actually wanted to recruit their professor as his technical advisor?

She remembered that not long ago, the CEO of a major tech corporation had personally come to ask Professor Redmond to consult on a cutting-edge AI project, and even then, the old man didn't budge.

Just as she was lost in thought, Willow watched Mr. Redmond wave his hand dismissively, rejecting Major's invitation without a second thought. "I'm busy. Ask someone else."

Evelyn's smile, which had been confidently playing on her lips just a moment ago, crumbled the instant she heard Holcomb's blunt refusal.

She frowned, about to ask why, but Major, quick as ever, gently tugged her arm to stop her. Confused, she shot him a questioning look.

Major, still wearing his polite smile, didn't meet her eyes. Instead, he turned apologetically to Holcomb. "I'm sorry, Professor. I shouldn't have imposed."

Holcomb let out a short, unimpressed huff. "As long as you understand."

Not a shred of courtesy, Willow thought, and she felt a pang of secondhand embarrassment for Major.

They were all his former students—how did Major not know the professor's temperament by now? Maybe Evelyn had been whispering words of encouragement behind the scenes, giving Major the nerve to try.

Willow glanced at Evelyn, whose face was a mess of barely disguised frustration and disbelief, her features practically rearranging themselves in outrage.

In the end, it was Easton—who loved nothing more than sparring with Holcomb—who stepped in to ease the tension. "Major, you know how Mr. Redmond is. Don't take it personally. He's just lazy—give him a spare afternoon and he'd rather hide at home with a cup of tea than do anything else."

Really, Easton was only speaking up because Major was dating his protégé's little sister. Otherwise, he would have just sat back and enjoyed the show.

Major flashed him a grateful look. "Not at all. I'm the one intruding on your tea break. I'm truly sorry for disturbing everyone."

Evelyn couldn't hold it in any longer. She'd never been humiliated like this, especially not in front of Willow.

Her face flushed with anger, her words sharp as knives. "Mr. Redmond, Major is your student. He meant well, and if you're really too busy, we won't force you—but—"

Dr. Whitmore always had a gentle presence, but when she spoke, her words carried the quiet authority of a true scholar.

"You want me to apologize to her?" Evelyn jabbed a finger in Willow's direction, laughing bitterly. "Keep dreaming!"

"Eve!" Major pleaded, but she shook off his hand.

"A woman like her—shameless, manipulative, completely devoid of morals—I would never apologize to her!"

Evelyn's words hit the room like a grenade.

"You—!" Holcomb was so furious his chest heaved visibly.

Willow hurried to her teacher's side, gently patting his back. "Calm down, Professor. She's not worth it."