Chapter 1854

The next day, the class teacher called Juan in again.

"Debra didn't do her homework yesterday," she sighed. "She said she's living with you now, right?"

Juan glanced at Debra, who nonchalantly looked out the window.

"Yes," he admitted.

"I know it's the 21st century, but she is underage. Her focus should be on school, not dating. So..." the teacher faltered, struggling to phrase it delicately.

"I'll help with her homework. Thanks for your concern," Juan said, turning to Debra. "Grab your bag. We're going home."

His tone was so stern that the class teacher jumped up. "We don't condone violence. She just missed some homework. Make sure she does it, but don't get physical."

"I never said I'd punish her," he said, raising an eyebrow.

The teacher felt awkward, unsure of what to say. Debra chimed in, "That's because of your intense expression."

He shot her a look, and she quickly looked down at her shoes.

Once they were in the car, he said, "I gave you a quiet place to study, and you didn't do your homework. Do I need to babysit you to get it done?"

"Nah, even if you watched me, I wouldn't do it," she replied indifferently. "School piles on so much busywork, it kills any real thinking. Cramming like this is pointless. By the time I'm in college, I'll forget it all. I'd rather do something

meaningful while I'm young."

"What's meaningful to you?"

"Doing what I love. Like painting or playing piano. They're hobbies now, but one day I could make a living off them. That beats homework. You don't expect me to pay bills by doing assignments, right?"

"Always got an answer, huh? School's got rules. You can't always do whatever you want."

"Didn't you say I could do what I wanted? If you can't even handle school, this fiancée gig isn't worth much."

Juan sighed. Her sharp tongue hadn't changed after all.

"Fine. Tonight, I'll watch you do your homework. Finish, and you can paint or play piano, no problem. Don't finish? You're not sleeping."

"By the time I'm done, I'll be too wiped to paint or play."

He studied her for a moment. "Besides painting and piano, what else do you want to do but haven't?"