Chapter 1757 Stepped Out Of A Fairytale
However, Sebastian pretended to be oblivious.
After the meeting ended, he personally led Ian back to Solomon’s office and entrusted him to Luke.
Sebastian replied, “Okay, but there’s no need to go out of the way for him. He’s here to learn and gain experience, so proceed according to the usual policies as you would for any other employee.”
Ian did not say anything, feeling an inexplicable sense of nervousness after hearing Sebastian’s instructions.
Hence, Ian officially joined Hayes Corporation that day. And as expected from his first day of work in a professional setting, he was clearly not used to it.
Based on Luke’s feedback Sebastian received after returning home from work, Ian had spent the entire day at the operations department without taking the initiative to speak to anyone. He merely did as he was told and gave a brief reply when spoken to.
Sasha’s heart was filled with distress when she heard about it, and she asked worriedly, “What are we going to do about it?”
On the contrary, Sebastian did not seem perturbed by the news. He sat at his desk and looked through some reports Luke had sent him while saying reassuringly, “You don’t have to be so worried. He just returned from the base, so, naturally, it’d take some time for him to get acclimatized to working in such an environment. He’ll get used to it after a while.”
“But if he doesn’t get along with the others in the office, won’t it make him even more averse to such an environment?” Sasha responded, voicing her concerns.
However, she fails to realize that Ian is no longer the little boy she wanted to protect back then. At that time, he was young and needed his mother’s protection to shield him. But now, Ian is about to turn eighteen next year. He’s all grown up. Hence, he’s practically an adult and must learn to be independent. As parents, we won’t always be there to protect him. Besides, a little hardship would be beneficial in his current situation.
With that thought in mind, Sebastian paid no heed to Ian. As for the latter, he was just as headstrong as Sebastian. Despite the grueling day he had had at work, Ian did not utter a single word of complaint to Sebastian when he returned home that night.
Three days later, the fifteenth of the month had passed, and it was time for Sebastian’s university enrollment.
Luke went to Caleb Somer, the director of Hayes Corporation’s operational department. “Mr. Somer, Mr. Ian will be leaving soon, so please make the arrangements for his subsequent work schedule.”
“Very well,” Caleb answered.
He quickly instructed his secretary to draw up a work schedule and gave it to Ian. He also assigned an extremely capable manager from the operational department to be responsible for working closely with Ian.
“Remember to stay in touch while you’re at the university, Mr. Ian. Once you’re there, I’ll assign you your first project.”
“Okay.”
Ian was taciturn as he held the worksheet in his hand, but he still nodded.
He left Avenport that same night, and it was only after arriving at the city where his university was located that he finally smiled. As reticent as he was, his eyes lit up as soon as he saw Susan and Timothy.
“Aunt Susan…” he greeted.
“Ah, you’ve finally arrived. We’ve already been here for two days. Let’s go and get you registered, shall we?” said Susan, delighted to see him.
After instructing Timothy to help carry Ian’s suitcase, she took them to the university. Surprisingly, Ian asked them a few questions about the university on their journey there.
Timothy piped up, “Don’t worry. Your faculty isn’t that far from mine. I’ll be able to look for you often, and we can hang out together.”
“That’s right. Your father also called me earlier. You won’t be staying in the dormitory. I’ve already found a place off-campus, and both of you will be living there together. Since it’s not too far from campus, you can ride your bicycles to class,” Susan added.
“Sounds good,” Ian replied. The uneasiness that had been in his eyes finally faded when he heard that, and he could not conceal the look of happiness that spread across his face as he agreed to her arrangement.
Not many knew that one with a quiet and reserved personality was even more eager for love and warmth from the people around them as it offered them a sense of security. However, Sebastian had already considered that in his arrangements for Ian.
Ian successfully enrolled at the university, and Timothy was the one who took him to the lecture hall on the first day of class. Everyone in the room turned toward Ian when he appeared in the doorway with his backpack slung over his shoulder.
He looked like a dashing young man who had just stepped out of a fairytale.
His handsome face was so perfect that it was simply breathtaking, and due to his reserved nature, there was a brooding air about him. Like a dark and mysterious forest, he made one feel curious yet fearful to know what lay beneath his impenetrable facade.
As soon as he appeared, everyone in the lecture hall fell silent for a few seconds.
Fortunately, the lecturer happened to walk into the room just then. Noticing the other students staring at Ian, he quickly said, “Everyone, allow me to introduce your new coursemate. His name is Ian Hayes. Please give him a warm round of applause to welcome him.”
As loud applause filled the lecture hall, Ian tensed up even more and stared at the other students stiffly.
Suddenly, a clear and enthusiastic-sounding female voice rang out, inviting Ian to sit with her. “Since you’re new, why don’t you sit next to me? There’s an empty seat here.”
Ian turned to look in the direction of the voice…
