Chapter 221: Silence Filled the Other End of the Line

"The kind that... excites men..."

Silence filled the other end of the line before a soft chuckle came through. "Have you really sunk so low that you need drugs to attract a man's attention?"

Paige Lawson's grip on the phone tightened until her knuckles turned white. "Spare me the lecture. Can you get it or not?"

"Wait."

The call ended abruptly.

Paige lay back on the plush bed, staring at the ornate crystal chandelier above. This level of luxury was something she'd never dared dream of before.

Now that she'd tasted it, she'd never let go.

Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains as Clara Whitmore finished tidying her apartment and packed a lunch box.

In the lab, her slender frame was accentuated by the white coat as she meticulously recorded data.

The "Save Successful" chime sounded. Rubbing her stiff shoulders, she retrieved the lunchbox from the fridge.

"Something smells amazing!" Elise Warren followed the aroma. "What did you bring today, Clara?"

Inside the container, golden lemon chicken wings sat beside vibrant garlic broccoli.

"Want to try?" Clara offered chopsticks.

Elise eagerly grabbed a wing. Her eyes lit up at the first bite. "Oh my god! This is incredible!"

The crispy exterior gave way to tender meat, with lemon perfectly cutting through the richness.

"No way." Felix Moreau approached, eyeing the food hungrily. "I already ate lunch, but..."

"I'm making sweet and sour ribs tomorrow," Clara said with a smile.

"C-can I reserve a portion?" Felix rubbed his hands together hopefully.

Elise suddenly suggested, "Why don't we have dinner at Clara's place tonight?"

"Sounds great!" Theo Marsh looked up from his microscope. "Should we invite Professor Mercer?"

"I'll check." Elise pulled out her phone. "His last lecture should be ending soon."

Clara smiled faintly as she organized equipment. These ordinary moments held a quiet warmth.