Chapter 42
Frank narrowed his eyes, then let out a light, mocking laugh. Ever since the incident where he mistook someone on the street, he had been wondering if he was developing some kind of hallucination. He headed in the direction of the patient’s ward, intending to check on Thea.
Meanwhile, after leaving the hospital, Emma got into the car.
Gabriel was sitting in the driver’s seat, and the faint scent of cedarwood tobacco lingered in the car.
Emma had assumed that Gabriel smoked, but after spending so much time with him, she had never seen him actually smoke.
She was surprised. Smelling the scent, she looked at Gabriel in shock and asked, “You smoke?”
Gabriel’s expression faltered for a moment, but he quickly masked the emotion in his eyes. “Does it bother you? I was outside for quite a while to air it out, and I only smoked one.”
He rarely smoked and only did it when he was extremely frustrated.
When Emma had entered the hospital earlier, Gabriel had already imagined the meeting between her and Frank. Unable to hold back any longer, he simply got out of the car and smoked a cigarette.
Emma couldn’t help but feel her ears turn red as she listened to Gabriel’s hurried explanation.
Frank used to smoke as well, so she didn’t really hate it. Instead, she was already used to the smell. “It’s fine, I don’t mind. It’s your personal habit, after all,” she said. She had no right to interfere.
However, Gabriel smiled faintly and said, “I’ll quit. Secondhand smoke is even more harmful.”
He wasn’t addicted to smoking in the first place.
Emma froze for a moment. She hadn’t planned on interfering with Gabriel’s life or hobbies.
Gabriel had thought that Emma might want to stay a little longer, but she realized that whenever she came back, there was a suffocating sadness that overwhelmed her.
When she suggested returning, Gabriel’s expression flashed with surprise, but he agreed without hesitation.
Hence, both of them went back to Steistan.
During class that day, the professor stood at the podium, adjusting his glasses as he scanned the room.
“Who is Emma Dyer?”
Sitting at her desk, Emma raised her hand upon hearing the question. “Professor, it’s me.”
The professor gave her an appreciative glance and handed her a project related to a university–business collaboration. “Emma, your grades are excellent, and you have strong learning abilities. How about you take charge of this project with William Enterprises?”
Emma didn’t expect to be given such an opportunity so quickly. She nodded and said, “Sure, professor. I’m happy to.”
“There’s also another person. His abilities are strong as well. The two of you will be collaborating on this project. He’s a year ahead of you, but he couldn’t make it today due to another commitmeat.”
Emma furrowed her brows slightly, then nodded in agreement.
After class, Emma was holding the project materials from William Enterprises, preparing to go back and study them thoroughly. As she was leaving the campus, a calm yet warm voice called out in front of her.
“Hello, are you Ms. Dyer?”
Emma studied the man in front of her. She replied, “Yes, I am.”
The man extended his hand. “Hello, I’m Brian Trivett. I’m also involved in the William Enterprises project. I look forward to our collaboration.”
Emma hadn’t expected to meet him so soon, so she paused for a moment. Then, out of politeness, she extended her hand to shake his.
Brian quickly adopted a serious, professional attitude. “Do you have any ideas about the William Enterprises project so far?”
Emma responded immediately.
1
A look of appreciation Lashed across Brian’s face as he asked, “Although we’ve just met, to make things less awkward, can I treat you as a friend?” Emma thought for a moment before she nodded.
