Chapter 164: The Methodical Married the Mischievous

Chapter 164: Chapter 164: The Methodical Married the Mischievous

Claire’s cheeks were burning. She tried to compose herself, lowering her head to continue helping him pack the rest of his things.

Beneath the desk was a large, perfectly sealed, and dust-free cardboard box.

"What’s in here?"

Claire struggled to drag the box out. She opened it casually, and in the next second, her pupils trembled slightly.

It wasn’t anything valuable. It was packed tight, layer upon layer, with medical records.

Without exception, they were all handwritten by Miles Warren. The writing was forceful, the ink bleeding through the paper slightly. Every stroke was neat and precise—so clear that even a grade-schooler could read it.

Claire’s hand, holding the box lid, froze in mid-air. ’Miles really did love this profession.’

"Are you sure you can bear to leave?" she asked softly.

"Dr. Warren, don’t force yourself if you don’t want to leave. And if it’s about money—about the salary—then there’s even less reason to."

"Your wife, you know, can support you. I can support your hobbies, too! Even if you want to maintain the same standard of living you had as the young master of the Warren family, it’s no problem at all!"

Miles was amused by her earnest expression, and the corners of his lips curved up slightly.

He took the box lid from Claire’s hand and fitted it securely back on.

"Of course it’s not about the money."

"I’m just tired. I don’t want to be so tense all the time. I want to rest."

Claire’s heart softened. She reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist, her hug both gentle and firm as she buried her face in his chest.

"So... were you jealous just now?"

"You were unhappy when you saw Ian Rhodes, weren’t you?"

Miles’s body stiffened slightly. The hand hanging by his side lifted a little. His silence was a form of admission.

"Miles Warren." Claire looked up and instructed him earnestly, "From now on, you have to tell me when you’re unhappy."

She paused, then said seriously, "I’ll cheer you up!"

’She’ll cheer me up?’

Miles’s eyes crinkled even more as he smiled and gave a gentle nod.

The night was deep. In the master bedroom of Regency Gardens, Claire was sound asleep, her breathing long and even.

As Miles drifted in and out of sleep, darkness swept over him.

In his dream, he was holding a scalpel, his hands shaking violently. The surgery was a failure, and blood flowed in vast pools.

The scene shifted. Now it was a rainy courtyard at night. Claire’s gaze was indifferent as she shoved him away forcefully and left with another man. It looked like Jacob Sinclair, but it could have been someone else.

"Miles Warren, you’re sick! I could never like someone like you!"

"You trapped me by your side with this marriage. You’re disgusting!"

Miles startled awake.

His forehead was covered in a cold sweat, his chest heaving violently as his hands trembled uncontrollably.

In the darkness, the first thing he did was turn his head to look at the person beside him.

Claire was lying peacefully next to him. She mumbled a few times, sleeping comfortably.

’She’s still here.’

Miles raised his hand, his fingertips gently caressing her cheek, then moving downward.

’If only... I could lock her up.’

He paused. His sanity returned, and he quickly pulled back the hand that had landed on her neck. But a manic, irritable feeling spread uncontrollably, his anxiety building layer by layer.

He wanted to vent with savage violence.

Before he lost control, Miles got up and went to the study. He pulled open the bottom drawer, shook out a single white pill, and swallowed it.

As the medicine took effect, it barely suppressed the violent madness surging within him.

He had just put the pill bottle away when the study door was pushed open and a charming figure walked in.

A light pink slip dress hung loosely on her, revealing the deep cleavage of her full chest. Like a rabbit, she tiptoed over, hopping as she approached.

Her eyes were heavy with sleep, not yet fully awake, as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Mmm, what are you doing up~"

"I couldn’t really sleep."

Claire nuzzled against his waist. "Is it because you resigned?"

Miles raised his hand and ran his fingers through her long hair. ’So soft. I really want to...’

He quickly reined in his morbid thoughts. His voice was gentle and low, betraying no hint of abnormality.

"No, I just woke up and felt like sitting for a bit."

"Then I’ll sit with you for a while."

Miles sat in the chair, and she curled up in his arms, sitting firmly on his lap. Her pale calves rested on the armrest, swinging gently.

The man nibbled her ear. "Hmm? Is this the only kind of sitting you want to do?"

Claire was jolted half-awake by his teasing. "Don’t mess around, I’m being serious..."

"Aethel University has a medical lecture tomorrow. The department even invited you. I got the invitation. Want to go check it out?"

Lately, Claire had been keeping an eye on things like this, trying to distract Miles from his resignation.

The man kissed her neck, his lips trailing downward, his voice muffled. "Whatever you want. If you want to go, we’ll go."

"Don’t, it still hurts," Claire said, dodging him.

"Be good. I won’t be so rough."

...

「The next morning」

Claire groggily opened her eyes.

The sound of water from the bathroom stopped, and Miles emerged, fully dressed.

"So early?" Claire’s voice was languid as she struggled to prop up her body, which felt like it was about to fall apart.

"Liar. You promised... you wouldn’t be rough."

Miles walked to the bedside and scooped her up.

"The lecture is at eleven this morning. You said last night that you wanted to go early and look around."

"Get up now. Breakfast is ready."

Claire froze for a second, then vaguely remembered what she had mentioned to him before falling asleep last night.

’Sure enough, a night of indulgence makes your brain foggy.’

Returning to their alma mater was a happy occasion. After washing up, Claire pulled out a light blue dress, put it on, and cheerfully dragged Miles out the door.

The sycamore-lined avenue at Aethel University was just as she remembered it. It was autumn, and the ground was covered in yellow leaves. Many people were taking pictures.

Claire held Miles’s hand, walking on his right.

The man was dressed in a white shirt and dark gray trousers today, looking crisp and clean.

Claire reached out and poked his arm.

"Student Miles, how about you take me on a tour of the medical school? It’s the most mysterious place at Aethel University, you know."

The Aethel University School of Medicine had a special rule: under normal circumstances, students from other departments were forbidden from entering.

Claire blinked and said earnestly, "I’m family now. I should be able to get in, right?"

"You can. I’ll just have a word with the security guard and get you registered."

Miles took her to the medical school building.

On the left side of the first-floor lobby was a long wall of historical achievements.

Glass display cases showed the photos and transcripts of outstanding students.

Claire leaned in for a closer look.

Inside the case, eight consecutive photos were of the same face—Miles Warren.

During his five years as an undergraduate, every year, for physiology, anatomy, pathology... his name was at the top of the list for every single subject.

To this day, no one had surpassed him.

Claire turned to look at him. "My husband is this amazing?!"

"Quick, quick, take a few pictures of me with it to commemorate this."

Claire shoved her phone into his hand and quickly hopped back a couple of steps to stand in front of the glass display wall.

A doting smile surfaced in Miles’s eyes as he raised the phone.

Through the lens, Claire’s smile made everything around her seem to dim in comparison.

He pressed the shutter button, then took another picture. He adjusted the angle, bending down into a half-squat to frame his name on the display case and her face in the same shot.

’His younger self had finally met the person he’d always longed for.’

Suddenly, a surprised voice called out from the other end of the hallway: "Miles?"

"Professor Clarke." Miles straightened up. "Long time no see."

The old, white-haired professor said excitedly, "I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me! It really is you!"

When Claire saw Miles’s professor, she immediately put her raised foot down and dropped her photo pose.

She moved too quickly, stumbling and nearly falling. Miles steadied her with one hand. "Slow down."

Claire smoothed out her long dress and stood obediently to the side. Lowering her eyes, she said in a sweet and well-behaved voice, "Hello, Professor."

The old professor was taken aback. "And this is..."

Miles chuckled. "My wife, Claire Kendall."

A look of disbelief flashed in the old professor’s eyes, and he glanced at her several times.

’That prim and proper model student from back then ended up marrying such a quirky, mischievous spirit.’