Chapter 4

I was about to head upstairs when a red Porsche screeched to a stop in front of my apartment, its tires squealing against the pavement.

"Ava!" Lily Smith rolled down the window, waving excitedly. "Get in!"

Lily was my friend from Lincoln Arts Academy, now working at a renowned art gallery.

She was always a whirlwind, acting like everything was urgent.

"What's up? Why the rush?" I slid into the passenger seat and buckled up.

"Amazing news!" she said, starting the car with a grin. "There's a private dinner tonight, and your academic idol, Professor Ethan Thorne, will be there!"

Professor Ethan Thorne?

My eyes lit up.

He was a leading authority in neuroscience, with countless influential papers. I had admired him for years.

"Really? Where?"

"A private club downtown. The host is a big client of my gallery." Lily's voice bubbled with excitement. "I was going alone, but I knew you'd want to meet Ethan, so I came to get you. You're already dressed so perfectly!"

I glanced at my black dress, which did suit a formal event. "Is it okay? I wasn't invited."

"Totally fine! The host said I could bring a friend. With your expertise, you'll have no trouble talking to Ethan."

I thought it over. Since tonight's dinner was canceled, I had time.

Meeting my academic idol was a rare chance.

"Thanks for thinking of me."

My phone buzzed again.

Simon sent, "I'm so sorry for making you wait. I didn't mean to flake."

His tone was more urgent, like he was desperate to explain and avoid misunderstanding. "It's just... seeing her while married feels wrong. I need to be free before I can pursue her openly."

I read the message, feeling a mix of emotions.

Our marriage was just a transaction, but his careful devotion to this girl surprised me.

His feelings for her seemed deeper than I had imagined.

Being cherished and protected like that must make her feel lucky.

"I understand," I replied briefly.

"Thanks for understanding," he responded quickly. "I know this might seem odd, but she means everything to me."

Lily glanced at my phone screen and asked curiously, "Who's that? Boyfriend?"

"No, just... a friend." I dodged the question. I couldn't exactly say it was my soon-to-be-ex-husband.

Twenty minutes later, we arrived at the private club downtown.

The building was classically elegant, understated yet luxurious.

"This is it," Lily said, leading me to the elevator. "The dinner's in a private room on the top floor. The host is super nice and often holds these academic events."

The elevator climbed to the top floor, opening to a lavish hallway.

We reached the end, and Lily pushed open a heavy wooden door.

The room held six or seven people, mostly middle-aged strangers who looked like elites in their fields.

The space was tastefully decorated, with warm, dim lighting creating an intimate atmosphere.

"That's Professor Thorne," Lily whispered, nodding toward a refined man in his thirties.

He sat by the window, chatting softly with someone nearby.

He matched his photos perfectly-gentle smile, intelligent eyes, the quintessential scholar.

But what shocked me was the man at the head of the table.

It was the "red-eared guy" from downstairs!

He wore a sharp black suit, his hair perfectly combed, sitting with poised elegance, every bit the successful businessman.

His commanding presence made the room seem to revolve around him.

When he saw me enter, he straightened up instantly, his calm demeanor giving way to tension.

He looked like a student waiting for the teacher to call his name, nervous yet expectant.

The contrast was adorable.

"Everyone, let me introduce," Lily said, clearing her throat. "This is my good friend."

All eyes turned to me, and I nodded politely.

"And this is?" Ethan asked kindly, his eyes curious but warm.

"My friend Ava Collins, a biochemist specializing in neural regeneration," Lily said.

The man at the head of the table reacted when he heard my name, a flicker crossing his eyes before he quickly hid it.

His fingers tapped the table lightly, as if struggling to stay composed.