Chapter 21: Skye Drops Out of School! Relaxing by the River!
On the banks of the Hudson River, the water sparkled under the sunlight, and white swans glided leisurely across the surface.
In a quiet corner, a young couple sat at a wrought iron table by the river.
The girl, around seventeen, had delicate features with a striking mixed-race beauty. Her smooth skin carried a warm, off-white hue, and her expressive brown eyes held a certain mischief. She wore a smart yet modest jacket over a simple dress, making her appear more reserved compared to the stylish women passing by on the street.
The man beside her was equally attractive. If not for the beautiful girl at his side, he might have drawn the attention of a few admirers. However, his demeanor remained calm, almost indifferent, as if little in the world could truly concern him.
"So, this is why you dropped out of school?"
Ethan Lee sipped his juice, casually scattering a few breadcrumbs into the river. A few swans stretched their necks, pecking at the floating crumbs.
"Don't look at me like I'm some delinquent."
Skye typed on her laptop without looking up. "I've learned everything I need. Staying in school would just be a waste of time."
"I know you're a genius."
Ethan passed his juice to her. "So, what's next?"
Skye accepted the half-finished drink without hesitation, hooking the straw with her tongue before taking a sip. "Mmm~ First, I'll spend a few days at the club, then I'll aim for something bigger. Something extraordinary. Or..."
She trailed off, turning her bright brown eyes toward Ethan. "Or maybe I'll just become someone's lover?"
It wasn't so much a question as a playful suggestion.
Ethan slipped a hand inside her coat, resting it on her slender waist. "You should know that I—"
"Gwen and Jessica, right?"
Skye hit a few more keys on her laptop, watching a progress bar appear on the screen before ignoring it completely. Twisting her body, she leaned against Ethan, her soft form pressing into him. "Maybe I was just born to be a bad girl~"
"You don't seem like one."
Ethan gently stroked her cheek, enjoying the silkiness of her skin. "Did something happen?"
Although casual relationships weren't uncommon in their world, Skye wasn't the type to offer herself up so easily.
She gazed at him, her expression unreadable. "Ethan, you really are just as Jessica described—always knowing the right thing to say."
Actually, he was just following a system prompt, but there was no need to mention that.
At first, his interest in Skye had been driven by a system task. But now? Now, he simply wanted her.
Arrogant.
"I recently found out something from my mother."
Skye hesitated before continuing. "She's been hiding things from me, but I overheard enough to realize that… I might be different. Something about my body isn't normal."
"You discovered you have superpowers?" Ethan guessed, already considering the possibilities.
But Skye's next words caught him off guard.
Tears welled in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around his neck, whispering, "I don't think I can have children. I— I might be infertile."
Ah.
That was… an unexpected concern.
Ethan blinked. Skye wasn't worried about having powers—she was worried about something far more human.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded. "I went to a professional clinic. The results were... not promising."
He considered this carefully. Was it because she was part Inhuman? Like a mule born from a horse and a donkey—no, that analogy was way too rude to use here.
It seemed Skye saw herself as genetically flawed.
And right now, she needed reassurance.
"That doesn't change anything," Ethan said firmly.
She searched his face, reading his sincerity.
"Since you don't have any plans for now," he continued, "how about becoming my assistant? You know, just to keep yourself busy."
Skye smirked, eyes glinting mischievously. "Oh? Do you like playing this kind of game?"
The title didn't matter—assistant or not. What mattered was that she would stay close.
And with Banner having disappeared recently—probably tangled in some mess—Ethan wouldn't mind a more pleasant distraction.
"Although I'd love to say yes, Ethan," Skye murmured, leaning in so close he could feel the warmth of her breath, "your sister beat you to it~"
Wait. What?
Ethan froze.
Jessica had been spending more time with Skye lately, that was true, but…
He narrowed his eyes. "Skye, don't tell me you and Jessica—"
"Pfft!" Skye burst into laughter, looking smug. "What are you thinking? She just offered me a job at the club—with a salary, of course."
Ethan exhaled in relief. Being betrayed by his own sister would've been too much to handle.
No wonder Jessica had been pestering him for extra pocket money lately—she'd already spent it recruiting Skye. And judging by her recent wardrobe additions, she had sacrificed quite a few pairs of expensive stockings for the cause.
He shook his head with a sigh.
Jessica always did have a way of getting what she wanted.