Chapter 384

"Order more if you want." Liam Kalmien slid the menu toward Hannah Flores.

Hannah's eyes curved into crescents. "What do your parents do?"

"My father teaches. My mother writes." Evelyn Langley picked up a piece of fish.

"Oh my! A writer mom!"

Hannah's exclamation drew glances from nearby tables. She cupped her face, starry-eyed. "So impressive..."

Her overly eager gaze made Evelyn and Liam simultaneously set down their chopsticks.

"And you?" Hannah turned to Liam.

For once, he didn't object to the saccharine address. "Civil servant."

"How nice..." Hannah murmured, fingers absently tracing the tablecloth.

As they paid, commotion erupted at the entrance.

Shane Evlanch swaggered in with Audrey Escent's group—noticeably missing Isabella Evans. This budget eatery clearly didn't meet the Evans heiress's standards.

"Well, if it isn't Professor Roland's prized students." Shane spread his arms theatrically. "Couldn't your advisor afford better?"

Silence.

His smile froze. "Our team's dining on departmental funds—Professor Xu's special budget." He raised his voice. "The faculty allocated 80% resources to us this year. Doubt some can even scrape together lab equipment."

Zachary Omelas tugged his sleeve. "Don't—"

"Back off!" Shane jerked away. "Don't touch me, country bumpkin!"

Zachary paled, lips trembling. "We're...classmates—"

"You think you're my equal?" Shane sneered. "I could have you kicked out of the lab."

Zachary clenched his fists. He remembered Victor Dimucci's advice: Endure for peace. But some humiliations cut too deep.

"Enough." Audrey frowned.

Sophia Frackett added pointedly, "Victor hates team discord."

At Victor's name, Shane deflated slightly.

"Want to transfer?" He turned to Evelyn's group with condescension. "Though you're mediocre—"

"Indeed unworthy." Evelyn cut in. "Of your team."

Shane's face darkened.

"Department-funded meals violate University Regulation 37." Liam adjusted his glasses.

Hannah already had her phone recording. "Care to repeat whose budget this is? Professor Xu?"