Chapter 207

Adrian Klein arrived at the lab clutching his lecture notes, only to find everyone gathered in a boisterous circle.

"Professor's here!" Natalie Blanchet spotted him first and waved eagerly. "Oliver and Evelyn are having a mental calculation showdown. The loser has to treat everyone to dinner!"

His gaze swept across the crowd, landing on Evelyn Langley who was suppressing a smile, her cheeks tinged pink. The lab atmosphere felt unusually relaxed—she seemed to have finally been accepted by the team.

"Looks like someone's wallet is about to take a hit." Adrian's lips quirked upward. "Let's wrap up early today so Oliver can pay up."

Natalie's eyes widened. "How did you know Oliver would lose, Professor?"

"Lucky guess." He adjusted his glasses.

Oliver Lancelot groaned dramatically, clutching his wallet.

Camille Valrose stood apart in the corner, declining coldly: "I won't be joining."

...

Night fell as the group settled at a modest street-side diner.

Though Natalie had threatened to bankrupt Oliver, she'd thoughtfully chosen this affordable spot. Everyone knew Oliver sent most of his monthly stipend back home to his family.

The plastic chairs and greasy menus couldn't dampen their appetites. Compared to stiff fine dining, this unpretentious meal filled with laughter felt infinitely more comfortable.

During the ride back, Evelyn sat in the passenger seat, eyes sparkling.

"Having fun?" Adrian caught her buoyant expression from the corner of his eye.

"Yes!" She nodded emphatically. "Natalie said 'see you tomorrow,' and Professor Macmillan gave me his mental calculation notes..."

She'd always sensed their subtle distance. But today, those icy barriers seemed to have finally melted.

At a red light, Adrian stopped the car.

Almost unconsciously, he reached over and ruffled her hair. "You did well."

The softness against his palm sent an unexpected jolt through him.

Evelyn looked up sharply, meeting his deep gaze. Flustered, she turned away, the tips of her ears burning crimson.

Adrian withdrew his hand casually, as if this were merely a mentor encouraging his student. Only he knew the lingering tingle in his fingertips.

"Honk—"

A horn blast from behind startled them both.

"P-professor..." Evelyn whispered. "It's green."

Adrian blinked, realizing the light had changed, and quickly hit the gas.

"Professor?" Evelyn leaned closer suddenly, pointing in surprise. "Why is your face so red?"

Under the streetlights, the fair-skinned man's complexion did indeed show suspicious pink tinges.