Chapter 431
Chapter 431 The Woman in the Photograph
Chapter 431 The Woman in the Photograph
Gianna set her post to be visible only to Felix, then pressed send.
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She slipped her phone away and walked briskly into the building. When she reached the lab, she found everyone gathered around Anneliese’s desk, voices low with excitement. Even Prof. Clocke stood among them with his expression intent.
No one looked up as she entered. The silence toward her was sharp, like a door quietly closing in her face.
She moved closer and touched George lightly on the shoulder. “George, what are you all talking about p>
His eyes never left the sketch beneath Anneliese’s hand. “She just came up with an idea to optimize our tilt-rotor system,” he murmured. “Shh-listen carefully p>
The brief exchange already seemed to scatter his thoughts. A frown creased his brow, and he waved her off, desperate not to lose the fragile thread of inspiration.
His impatient wave felt like being brushed aside no differently than an insect to her. A flush of humiliation rose swiftly to her cheeks, stinging as sharply as a slap.
Gianna’s gaze settled on Anneliese. The girl sat with her back turned, her posture elegant yet unassuming, and still the entire room revolved around her as though she were its very axis. The sight ignited a slow-burning resentment in her chest.
She refused to listen and refused to let Anneliese’s voice claim even a corner of her mind.
Her phone buzzed softly against the desk, breaking her thoughts. She rolled her eyes and returned to her own workstation, her steps brisk with irritation.
She thought, So what if Anneliese once possessed a spark of talent? She’s been gone from the field for four years-four whole years when technology has been adv faster than anyone can keep up. By now, she can’t eve meas re up to a second- or third-year undergrad.
Whatever spell she casts, it isn’t brilliance. It’s beauty… A smile here, a word there, until even the seniors bend toward her as though she were the sun itself.
Gianna drew out her phone once more. A message blinked across the screen-proof her bait had been swallowed.
Felix: ‘Anneliese joined the lab p>
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Chapter 431 The Woman in the Photograph
A faint curve touched Gianna’s lips. She hadn’t expected Felix to know Anneliese.
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She thought, But then again, Felix stayed at Astoria for both his undergraduate and master’s, and Anneliese was there until four years ago. Their paths must have crossed.
Her eyes glimmered with amusement as she typed, the words laced with feigned innocence. ‘You know Anneliese? She’s supposed to be really amazing, isn’t she?’ Felix’s reply came without hesitation, sharp and eager. ‘She was extraordinary- chosen as Professor Clocke’s last personal disciple the moment she arrived, pushing aside senior students to claim a key project, stirring scandal that tarnished the school’s name. Then she vanished for years, only to reappear and slip straight back into the lab. No one but her could carry such a story p>
She thought, From his tone, it’s clear he doesn’t just know Anneliese-there’s bitterness there, a history that’s gone sour.
What an unexpected stroke of luck.
A small, almost mischievous smile tugged at Gianna’s lips.
Gianna: ‘I don’t really know much about her, but yesterday at dinner with the actually showed up with the sponsor’s boss p>
sponsor, she
She sent the message–then she retracted it with a quick flicker and rewrote it. “She was in the same year as me. I didn’t realize she’d already become this accomplished p>
Over at Astoria University’s campus, a petite girl in a white down jacket clung to her boyfriend’s arm. She had been chattering about going to the movies, only to realize he hadn’t reacted at all-his eyes had been glued to his phone the entire time. “Babe, what are you looking at? You’re not even listening to me!” she complained in a sweet, and whiny voice. She tiptoed to peek at the screen-and froze,
“Felix! I’m right here, and you’re looking at another woman’s photo in front of me? Who is she? Do you have something going on with her? Tell me the truth!” Her voice rose sharply.
Felix’s expression darkened. He caught her wrist, tugged her quickly behind the cover of a tree, and pressed a hand over her mouth.
Irritation shadowed his features. “Stop shouting nonsense. It isn’t what you think. That woman cost me my place in Prof. Clocke’s lab-how could I possibly have anything to do with her? Enough, Lynn. Don’t pester me p>
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Chapter 431 The Woman in the Photograph
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His girlfriend, Lynn Hawthorne, looked unconvinced. “Yeah, right. I saw it with my own eyes. That girl looks like some wide-eyed freshman-how could she possibly have stolen your spot in the lab p>
Exasperation tightened Felix’s jaw. He pulled the photo back up and thrust the phone into her hands. “See for yourself. Isn’t Prof. Clocke in the picture too p>
She snatched the device, her lips pursed. And there it was-not just the woman, but Prof. Clocke as well. Still, her gaze lingered only on the woman’s face, refined and luminous, and the longer she stared, the more her breath quickened.
She gave a soft, incredulous snort. “Then why did you zoom in on her face alone? You must think she’s pretty.” Her words caught, her tone shifting as recognition dawned. Shock replaced jealousy. “Wait… It’s her p>
Felix looked at her. “You know her p>
“Of course.” Lynn’s voice lowered, thick with disdain. “Didn’t I tell you? My roommate Coral was once dating an incredible guy off campus. His ex-girlfriend was a nightmare. She clung to him, never let him go, and Coral lost her baby in her madness.
“Their relationship fell apart, and Coral’s life crumbled with it. She cried herself
hollow, her grades sank, and she’s been miserable ever since. All of it because that woman barged into their lives p>
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