The raise of Maureen Smith and her Good Luck System
Chapter 99: Richard is Sad

Chapter 99: Richard is Sad

Richard returned, his complexion colder and more silent than ever before.

Nolan, who shared a room with him, was having a barbeque with Ethan and two others.

Hearing the door open, they all looked up, only to see Richard silently close the door.

He removed his coat, changed his shoes, and the shadow that fell on him made him seem incredibly desolate.

Without uttering a word, he went into the bathroom.

The others in the room were taken aback, and their conversation abruptly stopped.

The faucet was turned on, and the sound of cold water echoed from the bathroom.

Nolan was the first to notice the birthday cake box at Richard’s feet— Richard had asked for their opinions when picking the cake the day before.

After conducting a survey and analyzing the data, he finally picked this design.

However, it was now rigidly lying there, untouched and unopened.

Apart from that, inside the transparent crystal box beside it, was a blue and red ribboned gold medal, similar to a stamp collection, that Richard had been collecting since childhood.

It had also not been gifted.

The tense silence hung in the air for five minutes.

Slowly, after realizing what might have happened, everyone in the room was shocked, their jaws about to drop.

Nolan covered his mouth and whispered, "Was Richard’ rejected? How’s that possible? Or maybe he had something come up and didn’t even go to find Maureen?"

Ethan hastily nudged him with his elbow, "Lower your voice!" Richard was clearly in a very downcast mood, his face could even be described as gloomy.

Looking at his reaction, it really seemed like Maureen had rejected him.

A few individuals exchanged uncertain looks, unable to believe what they had heard, considering it the most absurd thing this year.

Ethan couldn’t believe his prediction had been wrong.

Who would have expected it?! It was one thing for Richard to be suddenly rejected by Maureen, but she even rebuffed his active approaches?

Ethan grew anxious, swallowed nervously and hurriedly rubbed his hands before heading towards the washroom.

"Has something happened? Did you fail to meet Maureen or..."

"I saw her."

Richard’s voice was deep and husky.

He propped his hands on the sink basin, raised his head and stared at his reflection in the mirror, a droplet of water dangled on his chin.

He had nothing to deny.

His self-esteem was thoroughly shattered when Maureen took Liam’s hand and walked away.

Richard’s gaze even seemed somewhat confused. ...

Ethan startled, he had never seen Richard look so lost, as if he had absolutely lost control of a situation.

Ethan grew more panicked, "Why is this happening? Is there some sort of misunderstanding? You’ve made such an effort and Maureen is still angry? This makes no sense!"

Ethan glanced at the pile of returned items lying untouched on the floor and continued, "Elizabeth’s team is in the hotel next door for a training session.

Could it be that Maureen misunderstood something when Elizabeth visited us yesterday?

Even though you didn’t meet her, Maureen got jealous?"

Nolan and the other two school competition team members came over and couldn’t help but say, "Yes, there must be a reason, right?" Everyone began to throw out suggestions to Richard.

"Richard, what did Maureen say when she rejected you? Straight up I refused your gifts?"

"Girls’ minds are so hard to guess! Just a month ago she was constantly around us, now she runs off with no warning."

"Should I call my sister and ask her for help to figure out what happened? To find out what Maureen is exactly thinking?"

Richard’s mind was buzzing already.

Now, the ceaseless chatter aggravated him further, threatening to snap his calm demeanor.

"Everybody, shut up!" He was utterly at a loss for words.

Liam was present when Maureen rejected him.

It would be more accurate to say that instead of rejecting him, she was reiterating her dismissal, deliberately emphasizing it for Liam to hear.

So... Had she shifted her affections to Liam? Richard could not accept this reality.

Yet, the image of Maureen, raising her eyes towards Liam tonight, constantly replayed in his head.

Her gaze, shimmering with a hint of moisture, was exactly how she used to look at him.

No, not entirely the same.

There was even more in her eyes when she looked at Liam.

In comparison, she looked at him as if he were just an idol in the eyes of a fan.

Why did this happen? ... Seeing Richard turned around and sat down heavily on the bed, clutching his jaw, the burly boys from the school antagonistic team were taken aback.

Although Richard said nothing, they knew him long enough, trained and competed together.

They could distinctly detect that Richard was plunged into a state of unprecedented confusion and frustration.

A shadow lay under his eyelids, completely losing his composure.

This was so unlike him.

Seeing him so crestfallen, the others hesitated to voice their opinions.

Ethan was the first to comfort him, saying, "Sometimes when a girl says she doesn’t like you, it doesn’t necessarily mean she doesn’t.

Richard, I’d bet that Maureen still likes you! Perhaps her feelings aren’t as intense at the moment, but emotions are like threads, impossible to be wound back all at once!

Do you know what is the current theme trend in TV dramas and movies?" Richard has never taken an interest in such boring trifles.

Had it been before, he would have coldly dismissed Ethan’s comment as nonsense.

But right now, he couldn’t help but raise his head: "What is it?"

"It’s called ’Chasing your ex- Girlfriend!’"

Ethan explained to the group of boys, "It means that previously she was the one chasing you, but now it’s your turn to chase her.

This is a test for you, Richard.

And in such a storyline, the guy will always succeed in getting the girl back one hundred percent of the time.

It just requires some effort and patience on your part, so don’t worry!"

Nolan and two other guys: "Is that for real? Ethan, you’ve never been in a relationship."

Ethan: "I guarantee it!"

"Richard’s mindset steadied a bit. He didn’t believe that Maureen didn’t like him at all. In the past, Maureen chased after him for two years.

Two years’ worth of time isn’t something that can easily be erased in a day or two.

So, reconsidering everything, the conclusion was simple.

He should not back down.

If he were to back down, Maureen might really fall for Liam.

While Richard was pondering his next move, Nolan dialed his sister to explain the predicament Richard was currently facing.

Richard was a proud person, finding it hard to discuss such matters.

But since the members of the school’s competitive team knew about Maureen stating ’She doesn’t like him anymore,’ it wouldn’t make sense to act oblivious.

They might as well help him strategize about it openly.

The members of the school competitive team were taken aback— Good Lord, the godly Richard stumbled too! Nolan’s college-going sister quickly responded to them: "The tricky part for your friend right now is that there’s already an outstanding guy by the girl’s side.

This guy has more money than your friend, is taller and even more handsome, right?"

"No, no, no!" Nolan hastened to reply, "But my friend receives more love letters.

Liam is known for his temper, and he does more loafing around the school than studying.

Almost no one gives him love letters."

"That doesn’t necessarily mean your friend is more attractive.

The guy receives fewer love letters simply because of his personality," the sister said.

"From the photos you sent me, he appears more handsome than your friend.

It’s quite normal for girls who are obsessed with good looks to shift their affections."

"The hotel room suddenly fell quiet.

Richard’s face turned green.

Nolan was embarrassed to death and quickly covered his mobile phone, whispering "Sis, can you quickly give me some suggestions?

My friend is standing right next to me and listening to us."

"Fine, this is just my personal aesthetic judgment," Nolan’s sister’s voice came over the phone.

"The current strategy is to play to your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.

Don’t try to compete on wealth or appearance, but focus on studies, temperament, and attentiveness.

Let your friend compete in areas where he excels."

After hanging up the phone. Ethan was enlightened: "Compete with the young master Fu on transforming robots?"

No matter what, Richard, now armed with some strategies and ideas, didn’t look so stern anymore.

He took a deep breath, told himself to be patient, and decided to leave the birthday cake at the door of Maureen’s hotel room, leaving a note behind.

She should be able to see it when she gets back.