Chapter 188: Everything Had to Remain on Hold Until the Contract Expired

Everything had to remain on hold until the contract expired.

* * *

Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains as Clara Whitmore packed her bag for the library.

She barely stepped out of her apartment building when she nearly collided with Elias Mercer, who looked like he'd been traveling all night.

Dark circles shadowed his eyes—another all-nighter.

"Good morning, Professor Mercer." She smiled brightly.

"Just call me Elias outside class." He rubbed his temples. "I wanted to ask you something."

"The discontinued research project?"

Of course she remembered. Its focus aligned perfectly with her current work.

More importantly—

Abandoning such promising research was a criminal waste.

"Have you decided? Will you continue?"

"I'd love to..." She bit her lip. "But I don't have lab access for experimental data..."

Conclusions without data were castles in the air.

Elias adjusted his glasses. "You can use my lab."

"Free of charge," he added.

Though newly established, his lab boasted cutting-edge international equipment.

"Seriously?" Her eyes rounded.

This was salvation when she needed it most.

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

She hesitated only a second before nodding eagerly—

"Perfect! Thank you!"

A faint smile touched Elias's lips, his gaze softening behind his lenses.

The lab occupied the top floor of Diligence Hall.

At Ashford University, entire floors dedicated to single labs were rare privileges.

Elias's lab operated through corporate partnerships with independent funding.

The university provided space in exchange for academic credits.

This win-win model gave him absolute authority.

Countless professors coveted access, offering exorbitant sums—all firmly rejected.

Yet he'd opened these doors to Clara.

Unaware of this extraordinary honor, she simply thought—

Professor Mercer was a saint!

* * *

On her first day, Clara arrived ten minutes early.

Elias personally unlocked the door.

"Morning."

"You're here before me." She noticed his fresh shirt change.

The lab included a lounge and shower facilities.

Even after all-nighters, he maintained impeccable neatness.

"Brought you breakfast."

The insulated bag held steaming crab roe buns and freshly ground soy milk.