Chapter 3

3.

A flicker of venom crossed Chloe's eyes, and for a moment, she was speechless.

Our colleagues quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Hahaha, I knew it! I was wondering why Professor Vance never comes to the Friday singles' mixers. Turns out she's already taken."

I nodded along with him. "My apologies. I'll be sure to introduce you all when I get the chance."

Before I had even finished, Chloe's snarky voice cut in again.

"Really? I feel like Professor Vance is just making up a story to save face."

"After all, it must be a little damaging to a woman’s pride to be in her thirties and have never been in a relationship."

She dragged out her last words, then turned to the man beside her and cooed, "Don't you think so, Professor Cole?"

Damon didn't even glance at me. He just nodded in agreement with Chloe, his eyes cold.

"Indeed," he said. "It does sound a bit unbelievable."

I laughed at myself, wanting to slap the foolish hope out of my own head.

Just as the awkward silence became suffocating, a deep, magnetic male voice cut through the noise of the banquet hall.

"Is Harper here? I've come to take her home."

Everyone turned toward the voice. A handsome man in a custom Italian suit was striding toward me.

He stopped in front of me, his eyes so gentle they could melt steel, and naturally took my hand.

"Sorry I'm late, Harper. Let's go home."

I let him lead me away, turning my back on everyone.

Behind me, the whispers were impossible to contain.

"Oh my god, isn't that Stellan Thorne? The founder of Thorne Capital, that famous VC firm? He's our lab's biggest investor!"

"Are you dense? He must be the fiancé Harper was talking about!"