Chapter 6

Elara POV

"You two go." I didn't want to make myself unhappy, so I declined Chloe's invitation. "I have plans tonight and can't make it."

"Oh, Dr. Jenkins, don't be such a buzzkill!"

Chloe seemed oblivious to my aloofness. She came over in a few steps, intimately grabbed my arm, and shook it, her actions full of enthusiasm.

"I've already told everyone else in the lab, and they've all agreed! You're the only one left!"

I frowned, wanting to pull my hand away.

I disliked such overly familiar physical contact, especially from Chloe.

Adrian suddenly spoke in a steady voice, "Since Chloe invited everyone, you should go too."

I looked up at him. I remembered he always hated attending such events.

He thought such gatherings were a pure waste of time, utterly meaningless.

That's why, for my birthday, when I invited everyone from the lab to dinner, he only sent me a message and had a bouquet of flowers delivered, never showing up himself.

At the time, I thought it was just his personality, so even though I felt a little lost and sad, I quickly understood.

But now, he was so quick to agree to Chloe's invitation.

The contrast was truly stark.

I didn't refuse again, deciding it would be my last gathering with colleagues before I left.

That evening, when my colleagues and I arrived at the private room, we found a row of unfamiliar young people already seated, chatting and laughing loudly.

Seeing us enter, Chloe immediately stood up from the crowd and greeted us with a smile, "You're here! Come in and sit down!"

She warmly linked her arm through Adrian's, leading him towards the main seat, while introducing him to the others.

"These are all my dad's former students, Adrian's classmates. We're all familiar faces, so no need to be shy!"

Adrian's classmates immediately gathered around, slapping his back and exchanging pleasantries.

"Adrian, you finally showed up!"

"Exactly! You never come to our gatherings; you only have eyes for your research papers and new drug development. It's only because Chloe personally invited you today that you're willing to come!"

Adrian was pulled by his classmates to sit with them. After greeting the lab colleagues, Chloe turned and sat next to Adrian.

The private room quickly became lively.

Some were singing, some were drinking, others were chatting and playing games together.

During a brief lull, I heard someone from Adrian's group laughing, "Our professor's best student back then was Adrian, and now Chloe is Adrian's student. This connection is practically divine!"

This immediately drew a chorus of agreement.

"Our professor had his eye on Adrian for a long time. He told me several times privately that he wanted Adrian and Chloe to get married!"

"Oh, isn't it obvious? Everyone can see how different Adrian is with Chloe, and Chloe is clearly in love with Adrian. They're such a perfect match and clearly like each other; I'm sure they'll end up together!"

Chloe shot them a look. "What are you talking about? Adrian and I are just mentor and student now, not the kind of relationship you're thinking of!"

"Oh, she's shy!" Everyone laughed. "Your face is all red, and you still say no? Chloe, you're not being honest!"

"Exactly! It's only a matter of time!" Another classmate poured two full glasses of alcohol and handed them to Adrian and Chloe. "Come on! Since everyone's happy today and we've set the mood perfectly, make it official and announce your relationship! What do you say, everyone?"

"Yes!"

The private room erupted in boisterous applause.

The female colleague next to me frowned. "Elara, wasn't Professor Reed engaged to you? What is this... why isn't Professor Reed explaining anything?"

My throat tightened, and I managed a strained smile, but didn't know how to answer.

My colleague couldn't stand it. "This isn't right. I'm going to tell them."

"No need, Ms. Taylor." I quickly stopped her.

Since Adrian didn't want to publicize our relationship and permitted such misunderstandings, why should I humiliate myself?

Besides, our engagement was already off.

The others continued to egg them on, Chloe blushing and playing coy, and Adrian was clearly finding it hard to resist their enthusiasm.

I didn't want to watch anymore, to spare myself further unhappiness, so I put down my juice glass.

"Ms. Taylor, I'm going to the restroom."