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Chapter 245: Reliving an Old Dream
🕑 Added 2025-05-04 19:37:27 +0000 UTC*Harvard Medical School.*
In front of the building.
Under the shade of the trees.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~"
Hearing that distinctive voice say such a familiar yet special greeting, Adam felt a ripple in his heart.
This…
Looks like another fan of Lord of the Mysteries.
No wonder everyone wants to be famous.
Tsk!
However, Adam quickly suppressed his emotions because, when they shook hands, he felt a light scratch on his palm, making him suddenly realize—
The woman in front of him was a female version of Barney Stinson.
Even though she knew Adam was with Max, she still brazenly scratched his palm. Her boldness was overwhelming, almost too much to handle.
He suddenly regretted forgetting the plot of Grey’s Anatomy because he was seriously starting to suspect that a drama with such a wild female lead must have been produced by HBO.
But if it was an HBO production, he should have remembered a lot more iconic scenes.
"Miss Grey, are you also a fan of Lord of the Mysteries?"
Adam withdrew his hand on his own, keeping his smile intact.
"Just call me Meredith," Grey said with a smile. "I love anything new and exciting. Lord of the Mysteries has been a hugely popular novel in recent years, so of course, I've read it. Besides, it’s written by the best friend of Juno’s favorite author."
"She admires me?"
Adam glanced at Juno in surprise, unable to hide the smile creeping up on his lips.
"Of course."
Juno chimed in with a half-smile. "I told her a few of your legendary stories. Everyone thinks you're pretty impressive."
"Don't listen to her."
Grey chuckled. "She says you're her best friend. When you wrote Lord of the Mysteries, she was completely shocked because she never saw that kind of talent in you before. If anyone's your number-one fan, it's definitely her."
"Really?"
Adam beamed, feeling absolutely elated.
Even though he knew Grey was exaggerating, there had to be some truth to it.
Hearing someone praise you behind your back and then finding out about it later—now that was ten times more satisfying than being praised to your face.
Especially when that person was Juno.
"You should have told me earlier!"
Adam threw an arm around Juno’s shoulders, laughing. "If I’d known, I would’ve named Hugh Dillcha after you! And Fors Wall? She could’ve been Karen!"
"Ohhh, I see."
Grey's eyes flickered with a gossip-loving glint as she glanced at Juno and Karen. "I always had a feeling that Hugh and Fors were based on the two of you."
Juno just smiled without saying anything.
Karen smiled too.
Having read Lord of the Mysteries, she was quite happy with the interactions between Hugh and Fors and was looking forward to how their story would develop.
The group chatted for a little while longer before parting ways.
***
As Adam and Juno walked side by side, Juno asked with a smirk, "So? What do you think?"
"She’s intense."
Adam sighed. "Just like you said."
Scratching his palm the moment they met—how could she not be intense?
"She scratched your hand, didn’t she?"
Juno leaned in a little closer, teasing him in a hushed voice.
"Huh?"
Adam was genuinely surprised. How did she notice such a subtle action?
"Don’t be so shocked."
Juno smirked. "That’s her signature move. She’s done it to me too."
"She’s always like this?"
Adam couldn’t help but ask, "Not even trying to hide it?"
"Remember when you told me that every legendary American figure—good or bad—has a childhood story that explains them?"
Juno chuckled.
"You’re saying… she had an unhappy childhood, so that’s why she turned out like this?"
Adam was speechless.
"Yep."
Juno nodded and said with a knowing smile, "According to her, that’s the case. Her mother is that famous Grey—a renowned powerhouse in the medical world. She divorced Meredith’s father and raised her alone.
She was extremely strict with Meredith from a young age, but because of her busy work schedule, she had very little time to actually care for her daughter. Their mother-daughter relationship was terrible, and with no real parental guidance, Meredith naturally developed the personality she has today."
"You don’t buy that explanation?"
Adam grinned.
"Not really."
Juno shook her head. "Family background and childhood trauma are only part of the story. In the end, it all comes down to personal choices. Just like you…"
She trailed off, giving Adam a teasing look. "The Duncan family is known for being the picture of happiness. You didn’t have any childhood trauma, did you? And yet—you turned out just like Meredith. So, childhood trauma is just an excuse for people who want to justify their behavior."
"…"
Adam twitched.
He actually agreed with Juno’s perspective. Childhood trauma definitely played a role, but at the end of the day, the kind of person you became was mostly up to your own choices.
But seriously… why did she have to use him as an example?
He was nothing like Meredith!
***
After spending the day exploring Harvard, the group headed back.
That evening, there was a banquet, and both Adam and Max needed to get ready.
***
*Inside an apartment near Harvard.*
A woman in her twenties sat lazily in front of a vanity mirror, holding a copy of Lord of the Mysteries in her hands.
Her eyes lingered on the author’s name—Adam Duncan.
"Well, well…"
She murmured to herself, "Who would’ve thought? That little boy from back then has grown into this… How interesting. Very interesting…"
"Amy!"
An elderly woman’s voice called from outside the door. Before the younger woman could respond, the bedroom door swung open.
An elegantly dressed older woman stepped inside.
"Mother," Amy greeted indifferently.
"You haven’t started getting ready yet?"
The older woman scolded, "I’ve told you time and time again—a woman must always maintain her appearance. You are our ‘Amazing Amy,’ after all."
"Amazing Amy is just a character in a book."
Amy replied coolly, "I’m not her."
"No, you are her."
The older woman approached, placing a hand on Amy’s head, her tone firm. "You always have been, and everyone knows it. That’s why you must be."
Amy didn’t respond. She simply stared at her mother through the mirror.
"Enough nonsense."
The older woman patted Amy’s head. "I know you have issues with ‘Amazing Amy,’ but don’t forget—everything you have is because of her. She’s like the older sister you never had. You need to protect her reputation. Understand?"
Her stern gaze met Amy’s eyes through the mirror.
Amy sighed internally and gave a small nod.
Just as her mother said—everything she had was because of the Amazing Amy books.
Or rather, because of her parents.
She wasn’t financially independent. Even if she hated it, she had no choice but to endure.
"Good."
Seeing Amy give in, the older woman smiled in satisfaction. "Now, go put on your makeup and get dressed. I heard there will be a promising young writer from New York at tonight’s party. You should get to know him."
"Heh."
Amy chuckled, her voice carrying an unreadable tone. "Oh, I definitely will…"
(End of Chapter)
