Chapter 981
Liam said, “Sorry, I’m a bit nervous. Forgot my lines, let me try again.”
Celeste, in disbelief, retorted, “You? Nervous?”
Liam smiled, looking down, whispered, “I’m just a regular guy, babe. Seeing the one I fancy all dolled up and in my arms, of course I would be nervous.”
Liam really had a knack for this. One word from him could make hearts flutter.
That was his brand of romance.
Celeste blushed, gave a little cough, and said, “In my memory, you’ve never been nervous about anything. Tech competitions, national award ceremonies, in front of thousands of people, you’d give speeches without even preparing notes. Yet, you never seemed nervous, you could just talk and talk.”
Liam was taken aback, “You saw the award ceremony?”
Celeste gave a slight nod, then added after a second, “I was there”
Liam’s eyes lit up. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Celeste cast him a glance, “You didn’t tell me you were receiving an award, why should I tell you? I don’t want to seem desperate,
do I?”
Liam laughed, “I didn’t tell you because I wasn’t even sure I’d win the first prize.”
The competing team had previously won another award, their research was ground–breaking, and they had a lot of publicity, so Liam was not certain he would win.
When he was invited to the award ceremony, he only brought Owen and two key team members. Everyone else had no clue
But then he surprisingly won, he didn’t even have an acceptance speech prepared and was called on stage.
After the initial shock, he quickly composed himself and thanked everyone for their hard work over the past months.
In fact, Liam couldn’t even remember what he said, he only remembered wanting to show Celeste his award.
When he got home, he placed the trophy at the front door, where she would see it right away, but he pretended not to care.
He really hoped Celeste would see it, praise him, and look at him with admiration.
But he was disappointed.
Celeste didn’t even see the trophy when she got back.
The trophy sat there for two days, and Liam’s excitement cooled down, until Celeste finally asked about it.
She said, “You still want this trophy? If you do, find a place for it. The maid almost broke it while cleaning today.”
Liam was speechless.
The news of Quantum’s team winning the award was everywhere, but Celeste didn’t ask him once.
Liam’s excitement cooled down.
If the person he wanted to share his joy with couldn’t feel the same happiness, no matter the prize, he would feel dejected.
Celeste’s indifference made him think his wife was just pretty but shallow, lacking a deeper connection.
Looking back now, their misunderstandings were ridiculous.
Celeste thought he didn’t care about her, not even telling her about his award. He complained that Celeste didn’t care about his honor. He wanted her to see his trophy, but she was indifferent.
Actually, Liam didn’t mean not to tell her. His low–key style made Celeste miss his excitement. Celeste knew he and his team were going to the award ceremony. She even secretly bought a ticket for the same flight, quietly accompanying him through his proudest moment.
Celeste glanced at him, “When you were giving your speech, I didn’t notice any nervousness. With thousands of people watching. you weren’t stage fright, your speech was smooth, and you won over the audience. You’re not nervous in such a situation, so why would you be nervous in front of me?”
Her words were sarcastic, as if asking, who are you trying to fool?
Liam chuckled softly for a while, then moved closer to her, forehead against her shoulder, whispered, “It’s different. On the award
11:06
stage, I wasn’t nervous because I have deep knowledge of our achievements, I have confidence, and I have strength. But in front of you, I have nothing. Once, I had a marriage certificate to comfort myself, but now… I’m just a sultor. I’m no different from other men. I would also be nervous standing in front of the woman I like, hoping she would like me too.”
11:06
