Chapter 762: Chapter 762: Choosing Sides
"From the first day I met you, I felt you were not a simple person. Someone like you shouldn’t be just an unassuming equestrian teacher at the Calvin Family. You deserve a broader world. And I, Claude, am willing to give you this springboard, a platform to showcase your skills and achieve your goals." Claude stood up from his seat, walked around the table, and stood behind Xu Ke.
"The Calvin Family has many children, but they are just a bunch of pets who need to rely on others to survive. If one day they are discarded by their master, they’ll have nothing left. But I’m different. Even if my mother is dead, she’s still the Lady and Family Head of the Calvin Family. I’m the legitimate heir of the Calvin Family, and I will be your strongest support."
Claude placed his hand on Xu Ke’s shoulder, leaned down, and spoke in a husky voice in Xu Ke’s ear.
"I’ve said all I had to say. Let’s pause today’s equestrian class. I’ll give you time to think it over." Claude said.
"No need to go back and choose. I think I already know what to do now." Xu Ke said, straightening his back.
"Already made a decision so quickly? Are you sure you don’t want to think about it more?" Claude admired his decisiveness, surprised that Xu Ke had made up his mind so quickly, but he wasn’t worried that Xu Ke would choose someone else. As long as Xu Ke wasn’t oblivious, he should know who was the best choice for him in this situation.
"Since I’ve already decided to step into the study, my choice is naturally you. Besides, you’ve given me such a great platform to showcase my talents; how could I possibly give it up? No one likes to be someone who can be trampled on at will." Xu Ke lived up to Claude’s expectations and chose to stand by Claude’s side. The smile on Claude’s face became much more sincere.
"It’s good that you’re thinking this way. I’ve given you the platform, so perform well. As long as you do a good job, I won’t treat you unfairly." Claude said, squeezing Xu Ke’s shoulder.
"I understand." Xu Ke also smiled as he spoke.
"Then to celebrate our consensus, why don’t we stay and have a meal together?"
Xu Ke nodded, not opposing Claude’s suggestion.
Seeing Xu Ke nod, Claude went out to instruct his butler.
The two chatted in the study for a while, and dinner was already prepared downstairs.
"Our chef is very good at making steak, especially when it’s rare. Give it a try." Claude sat across from Xu Ke, gesturing for him to try the steak in front of him. He expertly picked up a knife and fork and started cutting, with red juice flowing out with every cut. Though his face remained expressionless, there was a hint of a smile in his eyes.
Eating a rare steak feels like eating raw meat, especially when every bite floods the mouth with a bloody taste, like a beast in clothing.
"So, how is it? Delicious?" Claude asked as he saw Xu Ke take a bite.
"The flavor is indeed very good, the meat’s very tender, and juicy." Xu Ke commented, calmly putting another piece in his mouth.
Hearing Xu Ke’s praise, Claude’s lips curled slightly into a subtle smile, speaking with a hint of mirth in his voice, "I knew you’d like this texture. It seems I wasn’t wrong after all."
As Xu Ke listened to him, his cutting slowed slightly, a shadow flickering across his mind as if he’d grasped something vaguely.
Both the host and guest ate the meal joyfully. After leaving Claude’s Manor, the first thing Xu Ke did was return to the Calvin Family estate to personally inform the butler of his resignation.
"Are you dissatisfied with the salary we’re offering? If that’s the reason, we can discuss it." The butler looked puzzled for a few seconds upon hearing Xu Ke’s resignation.
"It’s not about the salary, it’s a personal matter. Being an equestrian teacher here has been enjoyable, but there are other important things waiting for me, so I must apologize." Xu Ke said apologetically.
The butler’s face showed regret, "Alright, I respect your decision. Follow me, and I’ll settle your pay for these days. Should you decide to return as an equestrian teacher after handling your matters, feel free to contact me." The butler led the way with his heavy body.
"Thank you," Xu Ke sincerely said to the butler.
After receiving his pay and leaving the butler, Xu Ke ran into Albo, the red-haired youth. Seeing Xu Ke at this hour, Albo’s eyes were filled with surprise and inquiry.
"Why are you here at this hour?" Albo asked with his hands in his pockets.
"I’m here to resign. Starting tomorrow, I won’t be your equestrian teacher anymore." Xu Ke answered.
"Why? Everything was fine during the day, so why resign so suddenly?" Albo asked, perplexed.
Seeing Albo’s clear determination to get an answer, Xu Ke repeated the explanation he’d given the butler. Albo fell silent but, fortunately, didn’t press further. Instead, he looked at Xu Ke with an enigmatic expression, saying, "Then I wish you a bright future."
"Thank you, I will." Xu Ke replied with a smile, leaving the Calvin Family for good.
Albo watched Xu Ke’s departing figure with complex emotions. A breeze tousled his fiery red hair, making it look like a flame from afar.
After a night of rest at the inn, Xu Ke reported to duty under Claude’s arrangement the next day.
Marian had given Claude a garment factory. It wasn’t large, with just over a hundred employees, not too many—in Xu Ke’s mind, it was a small factory.
With his certificate of appointment, Xu Ke entered the factory with virtually no obstacles. The guard, who was supposed to be outside, was nowhere in sight. Inside, the workers didn’t match Xu Ke’s expectation of bustling activity; instead, they were slackers, gathered in groups gossiping loudly. The sight of Xu Ke, a new face, only evoked mild curiosity; they didn’t care how he got in or where he was going.
As Xu Ke reached the workroom’s entrance, he didn’t hear much machine noise.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?" As Xu Ke was about to turn back from the workroom entrance to another place, a tall and strong black man appeared before Xu Ke, blocking his path.
"This is my letter of appointment. From now on, I’m the manager of this factory." Xu Ke handed his letter of appointment to the man, stating his identity.