Chapter 47: Miriam's Most Prized Student

Owen Parker truly lived up to being Professor Miriam Caldwell's most prized student.

Though his research focus differed from Clara Whitmore's, their academic discussion flowed with surprising harmony.

Clara's eyes sparkled with excitement.

She was preparing for her graduate school entrance exams. While she had mastered the fundamentals, cutting-edge research remained unfamiliar territory.

Absorbing vast amounts of literature wasn't an overnight task.

As a current graduate student, Owen naturally held an advantage over Clara, who had been away from academia for years.

Nearby, Grant Holloway stared at the pair, his knuckles whitening from tension.

She had been so cold toward him, refusing to meet despite his pleas. Yet here she was, radiant with smiles for another man.

The dining table was laden with exquisitely prepared dishes.

Owen had heard of Clara's culinary skills, but the feast still left him speechless.

"All this...just for us?"

Clara placed the final dish on the table. "After all your help, it's the least I could do."

Owen's ears tinged pink. "Honestly, I didn't do much. You're a remarkably quick learner."

During their study sessions, he'd witnessed her rapid progress firsthand.

She grasped concepts instantly, never needing explanations repeated.

"It wasn't just the tutoring. I'm most grateful for those rare academic papers you helped me access."

Owen's eyes widened in realization. "So that's why you've been buried in research..."

Now he understood Professor Caldwell's high regard for her.

As night deepened, Owen rose to leave.

Clara walked him downstairs, taking out the trash along the way.

"Thank you for dinner. Everything was incredible."

"My pleasure."

"So..." Owen scratched his head. "Library tomorrow?"

"Sure."

At that moment, Elias Mercer returned from the lab, his brow still furrowed in concentration.

"Professor Mercer!" Owen immediately straightened. "You live here too?"

Elias glanced up, noticing Clara and a young man by the entrance.

His gaze lingered briefly on Owen's face, recognizing him vaguely.

"Life Sciences?"

"Yes! I took your Physics Fundamentals course last semester."

"Hmm."

Clara opened her mouth to greet him, but Elias's attention never shifted her way.

Owen stepped aside as Elias walked past without another word.

"I can't believe Professor Mercer lives here!" Owen whispered excitedly. "His classes are impossible to get into—my roommate couldn't register this term..."

On the stairwell landing, Elias glanced back at their retreating figures.

That student...Owen Parker, wasn't it?

First time he'd seen anyone visiting Clara's apartment. Boyfriend?

He shook his head with self-mockery. None of his business.

After seeing Owen off, Clara turned down an alley to dispose of the garbage.

Suddenly, a dark figure seized her wrist.

Her body tensed for defense—until that familiar, caustic voice hissed:

"Quite the little overachiever now, aren't you, Clara Whitmore?"