Chapter 157: Go Back to Your Homeland!
Maggie’s throat tightened. Could such a coincidence really be happening?
Unable to help herself, she carefully observed Timothy’s expression. His slightly pale, delicate, and harmless face conveyed only a hint of nostalgia for an old friend. Nothing seemed suspicious.
Was she overthinking?
“It seems someone is looking for you,” Timothy said gently, indicating the end of the corridor.
Maggie turned and saw Nathael approaching. He probably thought she’d been gone too long.
“Then I’ll be going. Goodbye.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Maggie.” Timothy smiled; his demeanor was sunny yet pale, but felt sincere and earnest.
Maggie nodded and walked to Nathael’s side. “Are you in a hurry?”
Nathael took her hand and glanced at Timothy, his voice low. “Why did it take so long?”
“I accidentally knocked over his things. I stopped to help pick them up,” Maggie explained.
Nathael didn’t ask further, holding Maggie’s hand as they returned to their seats.
After a satisfying meal, Maggie received a call from her mentor. Nathael whispered, “I’ll settle the bill.” Maggie nodded, indicating he could go ahead; she needed time to answer the call.
“There’s no need to rush,” Nathael said softly, leaving with a furrowed brow and a worried expression. Timothy, who should have left long ago, remained.
Seeing Nathael, Timothy smiled. “You’re later than I expected.”
The next moment, Nathael’s fist connected with his face.
Timothy staggered back, nearly losing his balance. The pain on his cheek burned intensely. He remained composed, wiping the blood from his lip. When he looked at Nathael, he smiled.
Instantly, Nathael grabbed his neck, pressing him heavily against the wall.
Rare fury flashed in Nathael’s eyes, the smoldering fire lending a chilling intensity. His pitch-black eyes bored into Timothy, their depths murky and unfathomable, like the depths of an endless sea.
With his throat gripped, Timothy showed neither fear nor anger. He stared directly at Nathael, and a smile emerged on his gradually purpling face. He coughed lightly. “Ahem, after all these years… it’s the first time I’ve seen you so worked up.”
Nathael chuckled coldly, his smile icy and cruel.
“You’d better listen to me,” Nathael warned firmly. “Otherwise, I’ll make sure you disappear from this world.”
Timothy stared at him for a few seconds; his normally clean and harmless eyes now held a hint of cunning. This diluted his youthful, sunny aura, replacing it with complexity and darkness.
He forced a frail, harmless smile. “I’ve always been good at listening to you, haven’t I?”
However, Nathael’s expression didn’t soften. He stared until Timothy’s eyelids drooped from lack of oxygen.
Even then, Timothy struggled to maintain his smile. There was no desperation, no struggle. Despite the fear of suffocation, there was no expected physiological response. His eerie calmness was terrifying. It was as if he was smilingly embracing death, giving the illusion that even death couldn’t completely control him.
Nathael suddenly released him, and Timothy, leaning against the wall, coughed violently. “Ahem… ahem…”
Due to the extreme lack of oxygen, his body went limp, his handsome, flushed face taking on a broken beauty. He paused, then looked up at Nathael, speaking hoarsely, “Thanks for letting me go, Nathael.”
“Go back to your homeland!” Nathael said coldly, giving him a hard look.
With that, he turned and walked away.
Timothy watched him go, bathed in shadow. He slowly tugged at the corner of his lips, exuding a hint of complexity.
After hanging up, Maggie saw Nathael hadn’t returned. She went to find him.
He was smoking in the smoking area, standing by the window, one hand in his pocket, his gaze icy and lost in thought.
Maggie knocked on the glass door. He looked up, extinguished his cigarette, walked out, and said gently, “Are you done?”
“Yeah, it wasn’t much. The teacher just asked how the exchange went and reminded me to prepare for the piano competition when I return.”
After explaining, Maggie tiptoed in front of him, grabbed his collar, and sniffed him.
“You smell bad.” She wrinkled her nose, disgust evident.
Although Nathael smoked, there was only a faint scent of cedar. However, after being in the smoking area, he was enveloped in a strong, pungent smell of smoke. Even immortals couldn’t avoid common habits.
Nathael washed his hands and took off his coat. He said softly, “I won’t smoke outside anymore.”
Maggie nodded in satisfaction.
Maggie and Nathael strolled through the mall, bought a few things, and headed back.
As the car approached, Maggie turned to him. “When are you going back?”
Nathael thought for a moment. “I’ll probably leave two days after you.”
Maggie pouted, disappointed. She understood; Nathael wasn’t a leisurely young man. He was very busy. Coming this time must have been difficult.
Nathael pulled her onto his lap, his dark eyes fixed on hers. He asked softly, “Why? Do you miss me?”
“Yeah, then hurry back after you’re done being busy.” Maggie nodded.
If not for her upcoming piano competition, Maggie would have waited. However, with graduation approaching and much going on at home, she was also busy. She estimated Shawn’s goods would arrive soon, in addition to the competition.
“Okay.”
“And I’m still mad at you, so make sure you write a sincere apology letter,” Maggie reminded him, raising an eyebrow.
Nathael kissed her cheek. “I’ll write it well and give it to you.”
After Maggie returned to the hotel, Alex restarted the car and drove away.
“Ask Nolan to watch over her,” Nathael said in a low voice.
Alex paused. He knew Nolan had always secretly protected Nathael. “How about waiting until we get back? This trip was hasty, and you didn’t bring many people.”
“No need. Have Nolan go there immediately.”
Alex complied.
Nathael had another project to inspect in the afternoon and a meeting in the evening.
The car smoothly traversed the foreign streets while Nathael pondered Timothy’s appearance.
“Boss, we have a tail,” Alex said, furrowing his brow as he glanced at the rearview mirror. He pressed the accelerator to shake off the pursuer.