There was a lounge area next to theboratory.


    After Saul left, Judy pulled Hannah aside to catch up.


    In the Research Institute, Judy was one of Hannah’s closest friends.


    Judy was outspoken and extroverted and often started conversations with Hannah, which led to their friendship.


    Hannah nced at Phoenix Shaw, the man with the crew cut.


    He was among Saul’s favored students.


    Phoenix usually didn’t talk with people in theboratory, but he was polite and professional when discussing experiments.


    Hannah’s most significant interactions with Phoenix had been during joint experiments.


    She found him to be a pleasant colleague.


    “Hannah? Hannah? Did you catch that?”


    Hannah shook herself out of her thoughts and realized she was too lost in them.


    She hadn’t heard what Judy said.


    “Judy, what did you say? I missed it.


    ”


    Judy sighed.


    “I was asking if you n to stay in Cadilind.


    ”


    “No, I just came back to handle some things.


    I haven’t finished mymitments abroad, so I can’t stay here full-time.


    ”


    “I see…” After a pause, Judy suddenly called out to a girl by the window, Ste, why don’t we all go out for a meal with Hannah today?”Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    Ste Bains looked up, her expression distant and indifferent, and replied coldly, “I won’t go.


    It’s a waste of time.


    ”


    Judy scrunched up her face in confusion, not sure why Ste was being so grumpy.


    “But why don’t you want to go? It’ll be fun! Besides, Hannah’s here now.


    That means dinner together, remember?”


    Ste’s face didn’t show any emotion, but she nced over at Hannah.


    “We don’t usually eat together, so why should we just because she’s back? I’m not used to eating with other people, and I don’t know her that well.


    I don’t want to pretend to have a close rtionship with her just for the sake of a dinner.


    ”


    As soon as Ste finished speaking, the atmosphere in theb felt colder than the wind on a winter night.


    Everyone looked a bit ufortable.


    The two other students, who’d only been in theb for a little while, kept their heads down and worked quietly on their experiments, not wanting to get caught up in the awkwardness between Hannah and Ste.


    Hannah kept her expression calm and didn’t react to Ste’s harsh words.


    After all, she had always been like this-super direct, even if it was a bit rude sometimes.


    However, what she said was true.


    The other two students, who were still pretty new to theb, knew Hannah better than she did.


    While Ste wasn’t exactly the friendliest person around, there was a reason Saul had invited her to be part of his team.


    She was very good at her job.


    Phoenix, who was busy working on his experiments, could sense the tension in the room.


    He put his work down and spoke up.


    “Hey, no fighting, okay? If Mr.


    Campbell finds out, he’s not going to be happy about it.


    ”


    His voice had a calming effect as he suggested, “Judy, if you want to have dinner with Hannah, please go ahead.


    Mr.


    Campbell said our current experiments are crucial, so Ste and I will stay here and keep working.


    We won’t be having dinner with you.


    ”


    Then, he turned his gaze to Ste.


    “And you, I know you didn’t mean to offend anyone, but your words came out a little too harshly.


    ”