Chapter 55 Another Pursuer
Connor immediately said, "My boss's son is a total slacker. He doesn't deserve Matty."
Susan shot back, "Hey, just because he doesn't have a job doesn't mean he's not a catch. His parents are loaded—mansions, luxury cars, the works. Maybe Matty would be into that. Plus, he's got that local residency status in Brookford City, house in the best school district. Do you know how many people work their whole lives and never get that?"
Connor thought it over and had to admit she had a point.
He told Susan, "Fine, I'll ask my boss's son if he's interested."
...
Matilda threw herself into today's coursework with laser focus.
Leonard was covering the intersection of Herbal Medicine and Toxicology in detox research, specifically the emerging international poisoning cases involving Neurodelirium Alkaloid.
In alternative medicine, Herbal Medicine wasn't just about studying plant compounds—it merged with modern toxicology to analyze how poisoning affected the human body. Did patients show cold or heat responses? Was the nervous system compromised? Had their body's natural balance been disrupted?
Matilda didn't just listen intently; she actively asked Leonard several questions and shared her own insights. His approving gaze grew more pronounced with each exchange.
He found Matilda refreshingly focused—calm, rational, and perfectly suited for research work.
After class, Matilda was in no rush to grab lunch.
The Neurodelirium Alkaloid material had her completely absorbed as she organized her notes, alternating between frowning in concentration and nodding in understanding.
Alternative medicine was still in the research phase for this particular area, with no concrete conclusions yet.
Ethan had already packed up his stuff, but seeing Matilda hadn't left, he lingered too.
Assuming she was struggling with some of the concepts, he was about to offer his notes to help explain things.
Jack and Luke immediately flanked him, each grabbing an arm. "Ethan, the cafeteria's serving now. If we don't go, they'll be out of that mac and cheese you love!"
"I'm not going yet. You guys go ahead," Ethan said.
"No way, eating without you is boring."
Ethan's temper flared. "Why are you constantly dragging me around? I'm starting to think someone's paying you to keep tabs on me."
Jack didn't even deny it. "If that's what you want to think, fine. Point is, we're sticking to you like glue."
Ethan dug in his heels. "Then I'm definitely not going with you. You're suffocating me—I don't have any personal space anymore."
"Okay, okay, we'll back off. Do whatever you want," Jack said.
The moment they actually let go, Ethan grabbed his notebook and headed toward Matilda.
But she chose that exact moment to leave the classroom.
Missed by seconds!
Jack and Luke had definitely timed that release perfectly.
Ethan could only stare helplessly at her retreating figure.
...
Matilda hadn't been out of the classroom long when someone called her name.
Connor had arrived.
Next to him stood another man, maybe twenty-five, tall with decent features, though his gaze kept drifting around like he couldn't focus on anything directly.
"Matty, come here a sec," Connor called.
Thinking he needed something, Matilda walked over.
"Matty, this is my supervisor's son—Asher Anderson."
Matilda gave Asher a polite nod in greeting.
Asher's wandering gaze had been unfocused moments before, but the second he saw Matilda, his eyes lit up like Christmas morning.
Connor beamed as he told Asher, "This is my oldest daughter, Matilda Spencer. She's studying alternative medicine."
Asher extended his hand for a handshake.
Matilda didn't take it.
She looked at Connor with obvious confusion. "Dad, what exactly is this? Are you trying to set me up?"
"Matty, don't you like Asher? He's my supervisor's son, an only child, lives in a mansion." Connor was practically bouncing with excitement like he'd struck gold.
Matilda shook her head. "Dad, I already have a boyfriend."
"Didn't you say you were single?"
"How was I supposed to know you were planning an ambush blind date?" Matilda turned to Asher. "Sorry about this. My dad and I had some wires crossed—he didn't give me any heads-up."
But Asher was already smitten. He'd come here thinking she was three years older and feeling a bit put off by that, but seeing her in person had him completely hooked.
He'd met plenty of beautiful women, but someone like Matilda—gorgeous with that soft voice and genuinely sweet demeanor—was rare.
"Since you already have a boyfriend, we could still grab lunch as friends, right? Doesn't have to be a date or anything," Asher suggested.
Connor jumped in awkwardly, "Yeah, Asher's my supervisor's son. I may have oversold this whole thing last night. Just do me this favor—let's all grab a bite together."
Matilda sighed. "Fine, but let's go to the restaurant by the hospital entrance. I have afternoon classes, so I don't have much time."
Both Connor and Asher agreed readily.
The three of them headed out together.
Their departure didn't go unnoticed by Jack and Luke.
...
They ended up at a casual restaurant where everyone ordered their own meal—quick service, thankfully.
Connor spent the entire lunch singing Asher's praises. "Asher's family doesn't just have the mansion—they own four or five rental properties around Brookford City. He doesn't even need to work; the rental income covers everything. He's basically the holy grail of the dating market."
"Then why does he need blind dates?" Matilda asked.
Connor explained, "He's been on plenty. Just never found anyone who met his standards."
Asher looked pretty smug about it. "I'm not completely work-averse. I've had jobs, but every time I'd realize my boss was making less money than me while still trying to lord it over me, expecting me to kiss up to them. I just can't do that, so I quit."
"So you're planning to never work again?" Matilda asked.
"Not exactly. I've been trying my hand at social media lately—making fun little videos to post online. It actually brings in decent money."
Connor quickly added, "Right, he's got quite the following on TikTok."
Asher pulled up his TikTok account to show Matilda.
She glanced at it—over five thousand followers, all videos themed around "A Day in the Life of a Landlord," documenting his unemployment and rental-income lifestyle.
"Tons of people call me a spoiled rich kid living off my parents, but having that safety net is its own kind of capital, right? They want to coast on family money, but do they even have that option?" Asher said.
Matilda smiled diplomatically. "Everyone has their own way of living. You don't need to worry about what other people think."
"You don't judge me for it?" Asher asked.
"Why would I judge you? If anything, I'm jealous."
Matilda was being honest.
Though if she had those advantages, she'd probably still choose steady employment. Work provided stability and structure.
Of course, content creation was work too—Asher just had more financial cushion to take risks.
Hearing Matilda's response, Asher's confidence swelled. "So would you want to share this lifestyle with me?"
Matilda's smile stayed pleasant. "No thanks."
"But you just said you were jealous of how I live."
"Being jealous and wanting that life for myself are two completely different things," Matilda said firmly.
Her rejection only made Asher more interested.
She wasn't just beautiful and sweet—she had real backbone.
...
That evening, a flashy red Porsche pulled up outside Brookford Medical Center.
Asher clutched an enormous bouquet while holding his phone up to record. "Today I met this incredible girl, and now I'm here to win her over. Think I'll get lucky today? She's the first one to actually make my heart race... Let me video call her to come downstairs."
He pulled up his phone and dialed Matilda's WhatsApp number.
During lunch, he'd added her contact info. Matilda had reluctantly accepted to spare her father any embarrassment.
No answer.
Upstairs, Matilda had already gotten word from the dorm supervisor that she had a "suitor" waiting outside.
From her window, she could see Asher with his flowers below.