Chapter 403

Vincent Macmillan chewed on his pen cap, tilting his head as he studied Adrian Klein organizing lab data. "Adrian, you've been radiating enough chill to freeze someone to death lately. What's going on?"

Adrian didn't look up. "You're imagining things."

He grabbed his black gym bag and headed to the break room. The folding bed in the corner caught his eye—Evelyn Langley's designated napping spot.

A memory flashed through his mind: the girl curled up on that bed, sunlight filtering through the blinds to paint dappled patterns on her face. His breath had hitched that day.

"Damn it." Adrian slammed the locker shut, his knuckles turning white.

Vincent's voice carried through the door. "I ordered barbecue. Got your favorite grilled eggplant."

"Not interested."

"There's lamb chops and oysters too. Sure you don't want any?"

"Not hungry."

Vincent abruptly changed topics. "Speaking of which, Evelyn's garlic butter shrimp with glass noodles was legendary... She hasn't been to the lab since school started, has she? Next time you see her—"

"Tell her yourself." Adrian stormed out, his lab coat whipping behind him.

Vincent coughed from the sudden gust. "You live across the hall from each other. Would it kill you to pass along a message?"

"Yes."

Vincent studied his friend's tense profile when realization struck. "Adrian, don't tell me you're—"

The man at the lab bench stilled his hands.

"—hitting early menopause?" Vincent counted on his fingers. "Irritability, mood swings, insomnia..."

Adrian snapped the microscope shut. "Shut up."

Outside, the sunset painted the entire lab in fiery orange hues.

——

At Gourmet Haven's private dining room, Ethan Winston was sterilizing tableware.

Evelyn entered just as he pushed a freshly sanitized teacup toward her. "Perfect timing."

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Ethan chuckled. "Ten minutes early counts as late now?"

He wore a charcoal-gray shirt today, sleeves rolled to his elbows, the watch on his wrist glinting coldly under the lights.

"This place requires pre-orders." Ethan signaled the waiter. "I got seasonal asparagus and matsutake mushrooms."

Dishes arrived one after another, each plated with edible flowers like miniature artworks.

"I was supposed to treat you—"

"My pleasure." Ethan cut her off, his gaze softening.

Evelyn sipped her soup in silence.

"Actually..." She hesitated. "I brought two classmates."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Of course they're welcome."

The door swung open. Hannah Flores's eyes lit up, nearly whistling. But Liam Kalmien froze behind her, staring at Ethan.

"And this is...?" Ethan's gaze lingered on Liam's face a beat longer, his smile deepening.

Liam swallowed hard. "Hello."