Chapter 195: The Familiar Tone Made It Seem Like They'd Been Inseparable for Years

The familiar tone made it seem like they'd been inseparable for years.

Perhaps even living under the same roof...

Elise Warren watched the taillights disappear into the distance before slowly turning back. She pinched Felix Moreau's arm hard. "Felix, am I seeing things?"

Felix sucked in a sharp breath. "...Elise, next time could you pinch yourself?"

Why was he always the unlucky one?

Elise said matter-of-factly, "Young people have thick skin. A pinch won't kill you."

Felix: "..." Thanks a lot.

Theo Marsh smiled silently, hands clasped behind his back as he strolled leisurely home.

Celia Monroe's face darkened like a thundercloud. Without waiting for Felix, she drove off alone.

Felix lowered his head to hide the disappointment in his eyes.

It's fine. He was used to it.

He comforted himself—sincerity could move mountains. One day...

She would see his true feelings.

* * *

Elias Mercer and Clara Whitmore remained oblivious to the others' reactions.

Back at the apartment complex, they walked upstairs one after another.

Motion-activated lights flickered on and off with their footsteps. Clara watched Elias's tall silhouette ahead. Their elongated shadows merged and separated under the shifting light, creating an illusion of long acquaintance.

"Thank you for today."

Her soft voice carried faint echoes in the quiet stairwell.

Elias seemed in unusually good spirits. Though she couldn't see his face, his relaxed tone was evident. "For dinner? Or for seeing you home?"

Clara: "Both. Thank you for dinner, for bringing me home, and especially for letting me use your lab."

And for that declaration at dinner—"Clara is Professor Caldwell's student."

On the seventh floor, Elias stopped.

He turned to watch her climb the final step, slightly breathless, then walk to stand beside him.

"I know what you want to say. But a pearl covered in dust remains a pearl—once wiped clean, its brilliance returns."

Clara's heart skipped. She looked up into his eyes.

Elias spoke deliberately. "The future's unpredictable, but the present can be seized. Though belated—welcome to my lab."

His eyes held warmth as he extended his hand.

Clara smiled, gently returning the handshake. "Thank you. I'd say the timing's perfect."

* * *

After arranging to go together the next day, they went to their respective apartments.

Clara showered, reviewed some materials, then slept.

At dawn, she made two sandwiches—hers with extra cream, Elias's with more vegetables and less cream.

She also freshly ground sugar-free soy milk from homegrown beans.

At exactly 7 AM, a knock sounded at her door.

After breakfast, they headed to the lab together.

Arriving early, Clara and Elias changed into lab coats and began working.

By 8 AM, others started trickling in.

Elise set down her bag and changed before sidling up to Clara. "You're already halfway through the experiment? What time did you get here?"