The Day I Kissed An Older Man

Chapter 66

It had been a while since they last met, and the dean exchanged a few pleasantries with Corinne before getting to the point. “The graduation ceremony for your batch is next Monday, Corinne. As one of the school’s special graduates, you should bring your parents to the graduation ceremony. The school hopes that you and your parents will be able to speak on stage and share your journey’ toward achieving success.”

Corinne refused politely. “I’m sorry. I don’t have parents.”

“Nonsense! What do you mean you have no parents? It’s written clearly on your file that both your father and stepmother are alive!”

“Sir, I-” Someone on the other end of the phone seemed to have called for the principal. He answered them right away and said hurriedly to Corinne, “Please remember to bring your parents on Monday. And come early, too!” The principal hung up right after.

Corinne was miffed. She had parents, but their absence in her life meant that it was the same as not having them. After all, Marvin raised her by providing her with the bare minimum. As a father, he never attended any parent-teacher meeting, and it was even more unlikely that her stepmother Lilliana would attend with her.

Nevertheless, the dean had always been proud of her as a student, and she did not want to let the principal down. After thinking about it some more, Corinne tried to call Marvin. “Do you have time next Monday, Dad?”

Marvin was enjoying a delightful breakfast with Lilliana and Sherlyn when he answered the phone. Next Monday? That’s the day of a ceremony in which your sister will sign a contract with a new company. It’ll

be broadcasted live! Lilliana and I need to dress well and show our support to your sister by attending the ceremony!”

Corinne cocked her eyebrows at the peculiar situation. “Sherlyn’s going to sign with a new company? It looks like her career wasn’t that much affected by previous negativity!”

Marvin smiled happily. “Yeah! The news from the trending searches the other day was actually a misunderstanding. The girl drinking wine with the old man in the video wasn’t your sister but some small-time celebrity who had plastic surgery in your sister’s likeness! It was nothing but a smear.. campaign! Fortunately, Lilliana had a way to figure out the truth and release the clarification news to clear your sister’s name! And the heat resulting from that news prompted a big agency to persuade your sister into signing a contract with them!”

Corinne smirked. ‘Lilliana sure is a miracle maker! I didn’t think she was capable of whitewashing Sherlyn’s misdeeds so well!’

Marvin then remembered Corinne’s question. “You just asked me if I have time on Monday, right? What’s the matter?”

Corinne pondered over the dean’s request for a moment and eventually asked, “My graduation ceremony is on Monday. The university wanted me to attend with my parents, so I’d like to ask you if you’re-”

Marvin interrupted her before she could even finish asking her question. “Corinne, your studies

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have been the one thing that has always put me at ease, so there’s no need for me to attend. Your sister’s contract-signing ceremony is much more important! After all, it’s related to her future career development!”

She already expected that answer from him and smiled sarcastically. “I understand. Bye, Dad.”

As soon as she hung up the phone, Sherlyn sent several messages to her in quick succession. The first was, [What was that about? Did you ask Dad to go with you to your graduation ceremony?] Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

Then came the next message. [It’s such a shame for you, though. I’m the more important

daughter to him! It’s useless for you to get good academic results because Dad doesn’t care at all!

Finally, she said, [By the way, I have some good news for you! I’m about to sign with Holden Media! Holden Media is the largest film and television media company in the world! Its subsidiaries are all international superstars, and it won’t be long before I become one too! Dad told me he’s super proud of me, and he even bought me a bunch of presents to make me happy!]

Then, Sherlyn sent another photo to show off several latest models of designer bags.

Corinne smiled wryly and sent a curt reply, [Congratulations!]

Sherlyn felt as if her words did not have the intended impact after failing to elicit an envious response from Corinne, so she sent another message and said, [No matter how hard you try, you’ll always be an illegitimate child who will always be shunned! Don’t even dream of becoming better than me! You’re not worthy!]

Corinne ignored Sherlyn’s bragging and smugness. Her bigger concern was how to explain to the dean that her parents would not be accompanying her on Monday…

At that moment, Jeremy opened the door and walked in. He rummaged through the closet and then took a suit jacket.

“Come here,” he ordered.

Corinne frowned when she heard his commanding tone. “And why should I?”

Jeremy answered, “Help me tie my tie.”

Corinne was speechless. She would never acquiesce to serving him had she not promised to fulfill her role of acting as his dutiful wife!

She got up, walked over, and chose an elegantly-patterned tie for him. She could only hook the tie. over his neck by standing on tiptoe because he was too tall, and the height difference made her actions a little clumsy and awkward.