?


    Stoddard leaned in, a mix of concern and disbelief in his voice, "Dude, did you even read the invite properly? It says ''Life Science Department Mixer'', not some academic symposium!"


    "I''m aware."


    "And you''re still going?"


    "Problem?"


    "Man, you''re possessed or something..."


    Hold on!


    Stoddard''s eyes widened as if he just put two and two together, staring at the invitation once more, "Life Science Department? Isn''t that where Roseanne is?"


    Owen Reynolds, who was fiddling with some gadgets, froze mid-action.


    Stoddard moved closer, squinting at Owen, "Buddy, you''ve got bigger issues than being possessed. You''re head over heels!"


    "You''ve got a thing for Roseanne, haven''t you?"


    "Does she know?"


    "Bro, you''re way older than her. Think she''s cool with that?"


    Faced with Stoddard''s rapid-fire questions, Owen was rendered speechless.


    ...


    "...Professor? Professor!" Roseanne called out a few times.


    Owen snapped back to reality, "...What did you say?"


    "I asked if you''re heading home or to theb after this."


    "Home."


    Roseanne nodded, "Then maybe we could-" walk together.


    But before she could finish, a tall figure stopped beside her. Roseanne instinctively looked up, locking eyes with the neer.


    Corley smirked, "Fancy seeing you here. Mind if I take a seat?"


    Then, turning to Mamie, "Could you scooch over a bit, pretty please?"


    Mamie, somewhat shyly, nodded, "Su-sure."


    After moving aside, Corley thanked her and casually sat next to Roseanne.


    Roseanne was surprised, "You''re here too?"


    Corley nced at Owen, a slight smile on his lips, "Is it that strange? Mr. Reynolds is here, isn''t he?"


    "He was opening the talk. And you?"


    Corley shrugged, "I''m here to y Santa us."


    Many school events sought external


    and Corley, an MBA


    fund a CEO alumnus, was quit dent


    cash cow.


    Thus, he too received an invite.


    the


    Roseanne asked, "Do you personally attend every event sponsored by Mr. Sullivan?"


    That would make the CEO life seem rather exhausting.


    "Of course not," he replied candidly, almost startlingly so, "I came because you were here."


    Roseanne: "..."


    Owen''s gaze darkened.


    Corley''s smile held a hint of mockery.


    Sensing the awkward tension, Mamie tactfully intervened, "Um... I''m gonna grab some food. Roseanne, wanna join?" "Sure!" Roseanne quickly got up.


    The two left.


    Corley passed a bottle of water to Owen, "Professor, care for a drink?"


    Owen epted it, offering a polite thanks.


    "Mr. Reynolds, such a busy man also has time for mixers?"


    Owen met his gaze, replying coolly, "Mr. Sullivan is here too, isn''t he?"


    "I came for Roseanne. You?"


    "Mutual feelings."


    Corley''s eyes narrowed, a hint of menace flickering, "What are you implying, Professor? I suddenly can''t follow."


    "You understand exactly what I mean."


    Corley, expressionless: "Really? Professor has caught feelings too?"Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    "I''m no saint; I can''t live without desires."


    "Professor seems quite self-aware.


    Just a friendly reminder, though, i better to keep those desires realistic, don''t you think?"


    Owen smirked, "Same to you, Mr. Sullivan."


    Corley: "..."


    At that moment, music filled the air, and the spotlight swept over the crowd once again.


    The host announced, "Thanks to


    Finn for that entertaining


    tion. Who''ll be the r


    one? Lights, get ready-"tel. ut


    belongs to


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!