"The academy's higher-ups disagree? Hmph, so what will make them agree?" Lily Evans snorted coldly. Academy higher-ups, what a joke—all just excuses. The Royal Academy is controlled by the Gu Family, and whether Leonard Yuan gets admitted is entirely up to Gregory Gu Jr. Now, standing before Lily, he pretends to cite the academy's decision. The hypocrisy is downright nauseating.
Gregory Gu Jr. looked at Lily Evans, his sharp mind instantly sensing her dissatisfaction and anger. Perhaps Lily had already decided in her heart that he was a despicable man, using dirty tricks to make things difficult for her.
Gregory Gu Jr. gave a bitter smile, telling himself it was all out of necessity.
Lily Evans was already married and had severed ties with him. If he didn’t resort to these shameless methods to pester her, she’d probably never cross paths with him again in her life.
Even if Lily insulted him or looked down on him now, Gregory Gu Jr. would feel a bit better—it was still better than being ignored.
Gregory Gu Jr. took a deep breath and decided that if he was going to be the villain, he might as well go all the way. Since Lily saw him as a despicable man, then so be it!
"As for Leonard Yuan’s admission, I still need to conduct a thorough investigation before making a final decision. After all, the Royal Academy has limited spots—everyone wants their children to get in. If I don’t examine carefully and make a fair decision, won’t people criticize me?" Gregory Gu Jr. put on a righteous facade.
Lily Evans sneered at him, "Leonard Yuan, in terms of status, is Prince Alexander Hayes’s brother-in-law; in terms of grades, he’s a top student at Phoenix Academy; in terms of character, every teacher and student at Phoenix Academy knows he’s upright. He even has several letters of recommendation from the academy’s professors. No matter how you look at it, Leonard Yuan meets all the requirements for the Royal Academy. The only person objecting to his admission is you, Imperial Grand Tutor Gu!"
Gregory Gu Jr. sighed and shook his head. "If Princess Consort insists on seeing it that way, then so be it."
"You..." Lily Evans was so angry at Gregory Gu Jr.’s answer that she was at a loss for words, suppressing her fury. "Then what exactly will it take for you to let Leonard Yuan enroll?"
Gregory Gu Jr. looked at Lily Evans, her anger making her cheeks flush, pink and shiny like an apple—almost tempting enough to bite. Unable to resist, he blurted out, "If Princess Consort agrees to accompany me to West Hill to see the maple leaves and talk about Leonard Yuan’s admission, then I’ll reconsider his case."
"Shameless! Gregory Gu Jr., what do you take me for? Show some respect!" Lily Evans trembled with rage, staring at Gregory Gu Jr.—he was still handsome and elegant, gentle as jade.
But how could such a refined-looking man say something so utterly shameless?
He wants Lily to accompany him to admire the maple leaves before he’ll let Leonard Yuan enroll!?
"If Princess Consort is unwilling, then I won’t force you. But as for Leonard Yuan’s admission, there’s no need for another review—I still deem him unqualified." Gregory Gu Jr. smiled at Lily Evans.
"Despicable, shameless, vile, utterly brazen!" Lily Evans could hardly believe what she was hearing. "The famous Imperial Grand Tutor Gregory Gu Jr.—is this your true face behind closed doors? You truly disgust me!"
Gregory Gu Jr.’s lips curled into a bitter smile, but he still looked at Lily Evans with a gentle expression. "Princess Consort, I’ll give you one more chance to reconsider. You know our Gu Family controls the Royal Academy. If you refuse, then your family and descendants will never set foot in the Royal Academy—they’ll be stuck in obscure little schools, always lagging behind in the imperial exams. Princess Consort, even if you don’t care about yourself, you should think of your family’s future. Just one outing with me to see the maple leaves, and your family’s children will have a shot at admission. It’s a bargain, isn’t it?"