Chapter 188

After a brief moment of panic, Teresa quickly regained her composure, her expression calm once more.

“Hey, Teresa. What a coincidence,” Edward greeted with a grin, rising and walking toward her.

Jonathan hadn't expected to see Teresa at the barbershop. Before he could take a step, Michael dashed over, arms wide open. Jonathan scooped him up without hesitation. Michael clung to Jonathan like a koala, refusing to let go. “Mr. Lime and Edward! You guys here for a haircut too?”

“Yeah, and you?” Jonathan raised an eyebrow at Teresa. He’d originally planned to drop Edward off at school and then visit her at the hospital. Since Edward was returning to campus today, Jonathan had taken the opportunity to stop by the Lynn residence, where Irene and Heidi had bombarded him with chatter. Using Edward's school trip and his own haircut as an excuse, Jonathan had barely spent five minutes at home before leaving. The barbershop had been crowded earlier; it had taken some effort to find this quieter spot. Edward had already finished his haircut, and Jonathan hadn't yet had his turn.

Teresa said casually, “No, I just brought Michael to get his hair done. I didn’t expect to run into you two here. What brings you to this area? I didn’t see Jonathan’s car.”

“Jonathan’s car is parked right over there. Didn’t you notice it?” Edward pointed toward the Maybach.

Following Edward’s gesture, Teresa spotted the car. However, the license plate had changed. It now read 4T–0116. “Jonathan changed the plate. Didn’t recognize it, huh? He said it means ‘For Teresa,’ and—” Edward’s words were abruptly cut off by Jonathan’s swift kick to his backside.

Rubbing his sore spot, Edward muttered, “Seriously? What’s his problem? Is he embarrassed or what?”

Quickly recovering, Edward grinned again. “It means ‘I love Tomato Juice.’”

“Oh,” Michael exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. “So Mr. Lime really loves tomato juice. That’s why the plate says ‘Tomato Juice, I love you.’”

Teresa was stunned for a moment. Jonathan shot Edward a displeased look. “You’re done with your haircut, right? Go on. I’ve already called a cab for you.”

“What? You’re not driving me?” Edward protested. He had already told his classmates that his brother would be dropping him off in the Maybach. His dormmates were even planning to take pictures at the school gate.

“I’ve got things to do. You’ll be fine on your own,” Jonathan said flatly.

Edward sighed. The cab wasn’t due for another five minutes. Glancing around, Edward hesitated before asking Teresa, “By the way, where’s Miriam? Isn’t this boy from her family?”

Before he could finish, Teresa smoothly changed the subject. “So, Edward, how are things with Miriam? Have you two been in touch lately?”

A flicker of disappointment crossed Edward’s face. “She hasn’t reached out in a while. I guess she’s been busy.” Teresa said, “Miriam told me last time that her family is setting her up on blind dates.”

Edward froze for a moment. “Seriously? She’s still so young. Why would she need blind dates?”

Teresa replied, “Miriam and I are the same age. Her birthday’s in June, so she’ll be 27 soon. Not like you, still a college kid.” Edward frowned. “I’m graduating and starting my internship this year, so I’m basically stepping into the real world. But she looks so young—there’s no need to rush into marriage. These days, plenty of people wait until their thirties.”

Teresa found it amusing. Wasn’t this the same Edward who used to avoid Miriam like the plague? And now he’s saying she looks young, she thought.