bChapter /b17

Charlotte didn’t see Evander for a whole week.

Dean Chase had asked her to take Tricia along to the research

conference–said it was Evander’s idea. She’d heard about it already and wasn’t surprised.

The morning of the event, she messaged Tricia from her work phone.

Told her to get ready.

Tricia’s reply was a simple, “Okay.”

Charlotte left the hospital and waited outside for a while, but soon Tricia texted: *Sorry, Dr. Sterling, you go ahead, Evander’s giving me a ride.*

Charlotte nced at the message, her lips twisting into a cold, ironic

smile.

She typed back, “Sure,” and shut off her screen.

When Charlotte arrived at Pinnacle za and stepped out of her car, she found herself face–to–face with Evander’s silver sedan, as if fate were mocking her.

Tricia hopped out from the passenger seat, perfectly put together, makeup immacte.

Evander followed, dressed down in a pale, casual outfit that made him look softer, younger–nothing like the reserved man she’d known.

Men really iare /idifferent around their first love, she mused.

Clearly, he’d spent the week with Tricia.

Charlotte pulled her gaze away, tamping down the ache inside her, and strode past them into the building.

In the lobby, she spotted a familiar face.

bChapter /b17

Charlotte didn’t see Evander for a whole week.

Dean Chase had asked her to take Tricia along to the research

conference–said it was Evander’s idea. She’d heard about it already and wasn’t surprised.

The morning of the event, she messaged Tricia from her work phone.

Told her to get ready.

Tricia’s reply was a simple, “Okay.”

Charlotte left the hospital and waited outside for a while, but soon Tricia texted: *Sorry, Dr. Sterling, you go ahead, Evander’s giving me a ride.*

Charlotte nced at the message, her lips twisting into a cold, ironic smile.

She typed back, “Sure,” and shut off her screen.

When Charlotte arrived at Pinnacle za and stepped out of her car, she found herself face–to–face with Evander’s silver sedan, as if fate were mocking her.

Tricia hopped out from the passenger seat, perfectly put together, makeup immacte.

Evander followed, dressed down in a pale, casual outfit that made him ilook /isofter, younger–nothing like the reserved man she’d known.

Men really are different around their first love, she mused.

Clearly, he’d spent the week with Tricia.

Charlotte pulled her gaze away, tamping down the ache inside her, and strode past them into the building.

In the lobby, she spotted a familiar face.

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Jonathan Pembroke.

He and Professor Carstairs were practically family friends. Charlotte had met him several times back when she worked with the professor.

“Charlotte?” Jonathan called, approaching with his signaturezy grin and a raised eyebrow. “Well, this is a surprise. Here for the conference too?”

She nodded. “Yeah.”

“How’ve you been?”

Charlotte smiled. “Pretty good. How are you and Professor Carstairs?”

“I’m alright. The professor’s been missing you, though.”

Before she could reply, a voice called out, “Dr. Sterling, why didn’t you wait for me?”

Tricia hurried over, and behind her, Charlotte caught sight of Evander.

Tricia barely paused before ncing between Jonathan and Charlotte, her eyes sparkling mischievously. “Dr. Sterling, is this your boyfriend?”

Evander’s eyes flickered over Charlotte, thennded on Jonathan, a shadow passing through his gaze. “Mr. Pembroke, are you seeing someone?”

Jonathan blinked. “Girlfriend? You mean me and Charlotte?”

He admitted Charlotte was certainly his type–after all, she had been the campus beauty at Royalis Medical University–but he wasn’t the kind of guy to joke around about women. “You’re kidding, Mr. Howard. Charlotte and I are just friends.”

Then, with a teasing grin, he added, “But if Charlotte ever finds herself in need of a boyfriend, I’d be happy to volunteer.”

Charlotte…

Evander’s eyes darkened, an unreadable chill settling over him.

Tricia remained oblivious, beaming. “Dr. Sterling and Mr. Pembroke do make a cute couple.”

Seeing Evander’s indifference, Charlotte finally unclenched her fists. She turned to Jonathan with a calm smile. “Jonathan, shall we go up? We shouldn’t intrude on Mr. Howard and his girlfriend.”

Tricia’s heart leapt in surprise and delight.

For once, she found herself actually liking Charlotte.

Jonathan looked from Tricia and Evander to Charlotte, then remembered the trending gossip he’d glimpsed on Twitter. He understood.

He didn’t say anything else, just followed Charlotte into the elevator.

Tricia slipped her arm through Evander’s, her voice honey–sweet. “Evander, let’s-”

He pulled his arm away, but as the elevator doors were about to close, he

blocked them with his hand.

“Mr. Pembroke, mind if we join you?” Evander’s voice was icy, but his face gave away nothing.

Jonathan shrugged. “Be my guest.”

harlotte stood quietly by Jonathan’s side, eyes lowered.

Evander stepped in, taking the spot next to her. Charlotte edged a little

closer to Jonathan.

Tricia enteredst, ncing nervously at Evander, then ring at Charlotte, squeezing her hands into fists.

He’d just brushed her off, given her no exnation at all.

Was it because of Charlotte?

She’d had someone dig into Charlotte’s background and found zero connection to Evander. Maybe she’d been paranoid all along–but

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Evander’s behavior just now…

He was jealous.

The realization made Tricia grit her teeth so hard her jaw ached.

The elevator began its slow ascent.

An uneasy silence settled over the cramped space.

Then, just as more people squeezed in at the next floor, Charlotte tried to

move closer to Jonathan to make room. Someone tugged her arm–she stumbled, colliding into the person standing beside her.