Polly Sutton squinted at Isabella Lowe, "Isn't it too early to gloat over me? Usually, these kinds of flags only result in you getting slapped in the face. Why not wait until the day Victor Parker and I actually get divorced for you to come and flaunt? If you could bring your marriage certificate with Victor then, it might be even better. I could personally make a pair of mandarin duck coffins for you two and bless your happy marriage."
After speaking, Polly Sutton left, utterly unconcerned about Isabella Lowe's changed expression. Daring to provoke without knowing anything, she'd better hurry and seduce Victor Parker away, she was begging her!
Relying on her memory, Polly Sutton returned to the manor and happened to bump into Mr. Yang. She politely and cautiously put forward her request to see the manor again, because she particularly admired Mason Rook's designs.
Mr. Yang chuckled and invited Polly Sutton in, "I have something to do outside now, let the butler show you around."
Polly Sutton hurriedly expressed her gratitude, perhaps not expecting Mr. Yang to be so agreeable.
Compared to yesterday, there was even more enthusiasm. Indeed, Victor Parker was not around, and the treatment she received was different. Originally, she was prepared for rejection.
The butler was very polite, even preparing a translator, and led Polly Sutton to view the main residence of the manor.
Polly Sutton did not use her phone to take pictures as a courtesy, but merely held a sketchbook to record inspiration at any time.
Behind the main house, there was a separate courtyard resembling a Suzhou Gardens scene, yet with an added touch of spirit.
"What is this place?"
"This is Mr. Quinn's residence, a friend of our master," the butler explained respectfully.
"Can I go in and have a look? Would it be disturbing?"
The butler led her over, "The master said you can go anywhere you want."
Polly Sutton paused slightly, feeling inexplicably strange. She knew many people liked her, especially big names in architecture, but Mr. Yang was being unreasonably kind to her?
In the water pavilion of the gardens, Polly Sutton saw a man in a wheelchair carving something. The white jade table was covered in wood materials, and the fragrance in the air made her realize they were all high-quality — Golden Rattan Wood.
A piece of Golden Rattan Wood is already priceless, yet he had so much here?
The butler went over and whispered a few words in the man's ear, and he put down his chisel and plane to look back.
Polly Sutton, initially puzzled about who he was, stood completely stunned for a few seconds when the man turned around.
The man's eyebrows and eyes seemed imbued with spring colors. The golden-framed glasses sat on his high nose bridge, and the corners of his lips subtly lifted, bearing a gentle smile.
Polly Sutton's hand holding the pen stopped mid-air, unable to snap out of it for a long time.
If Victor Parker's handsomeness was direct and oppressive, then this man was simply beautiful, indescribably, subtly affecting one's soul — beautiful.
"Miss Sutton."
Polly Sutton: "…"
Just, even his voice sounds pleasant!
The butler, standing next to Polly Sutton, reminded her and she jolted back to reality, instinctively wiping her mouth in fear that she might embarrassingly drool.
He was unparalleled, beauty indistinguishable.
"Hello." Polly Sutton reassured herself that she hadn't drooled after all; otherwise, she'd have embarrassed herself in front of such a beauty.
Lucas Quinn noticed her small gesture but said nothing, motioning her to sit: "Come over and have a seat."
Polly Sutton cautiously approached with her sketchbook, as if afraid to disturb the beauty with any sudden movements.
Only upon getting closer did Polly Sutton realize he was sitting in a wheelchair, legs covered with a dark blanket. She hesitated for a moment and sat beside him, "Sorry to bother you."
"Not at all." Lucas Quinn chuckled softly, clearing some space on the table to pour her some water.
Seeing them conversing, the butler retreated automatically to the doorway.
Polly Sutton stared at the wood carving on the table, unable to look away, yet continuously clenched her hands to prevent herself from touching it — that would be too rude.
"Dovetail joints, Golden Rattan Wood." How extravagant must one be to carve Golden Rattan Wood just for fun? This man was even more indulgent than Victor Parker.
"Dovetail joints seem simple but are truly rare; modern architecture seldom uses these," Lucas Quinn spoke with a consistently gentle tone.
Polly Sutton nodded, "However, I believe the 'Qu Shui Liu Shang' used a lot of this structure back in the day."
"Eden Young mentioned that there's been someone searching for information on 'Qu Shui Liu Shang' these years; turns out it's a little girl." Lucas Quinn casually fiddled with a ball made of Golden Rattan Wood and sandalwood, finally pushing it towards Polly Sutton, "This is something I made out of boredom; you can have it to play with."
Polly Sutton: "…"
"As for 'Qu Shui Liu Shang,' there's no need to keep searching; time is meant to forget the past. Don't always remember it; your achievements will far surpass 'Qu Shui Liu Shang' in the future. Don't be stagnant and trap yourself."
Polly Sutton looked at the sphere handed to her, almost seamless, yet she knew it was a puzzle ball, entirely solvable.
"You know 'Qu Shui Liu Shang'?" Not merely knowing; perhaps quite familiar.
"Return home; the future of the architectural world belongs to you young folks."
These pieces of information sent Polly Sutton's brain into a state of confusion — she had no idea what had happened, even after leaving the manor, until her eardrums were nearly shattered by Victor Parker's yelling.
"Who told you to run here? Is your phone used to crack nuts for brain supplement? You don't know how to answer calls?" Victor Parker dragged her with agitation in his voice.
Polly Sutton reflexively stepped back under his shouting but was pulled close, unable to retreat, until Victor Parker's berating finally cleared the jumble in her head.
Polly Sutton regained her senses, looking at Victor Parker's dark face, "Honestly, I met a deity."
Just as Polly Sutton finished speaking, Victor Parker smacked the back of her head, causing her to stagger forward a few steps, and then he pressed her into the car.
The car left the manor with Victor Parker still fuming, "What, the deity couldn't help you and kicked you out?"
Polly Sutton: "…"
Could this man please be a mute?
"Who told you to come here? Aren't you afraid of being sold off?"
"Mr. Yang was really nice, attitudes yesterday must have been because of you." Polly Sutton retorted bluntly, but then suddenly leaned closer to Victor Parker, "So worried about me, could it be you're falling for me?"
Victor Parker listened to her words and twisted her head to look at her reflection in the window, "A brain size as small as a nail and all you're thinking about is self-love? Am I blind?"
Polly Sutton suddenly felt the line was familiar but couldn't recall when she'd heard it before. Nevertheless, the tone was truly provoking, she pushed him away with hands and feet, "If I were sold, what do I care about? Has the family built a seaside house, should I design an ocean view house for you? Why not care about the one in the Pacific opening a tea garden?"
Polly Sutton delivered a rapid output, yet Victor Parker grabbed her by the back of her neck, and she couldn't struggle free...