Chapter 143
Elodie’s POV~
Perhaps because he could see we were genuinely exhausted, Professor Nolan let us leave around nine that night.
After an entire day of mental strain, I went straight home, soaked in a hot bath until my fingers pruned, and collapsed into bed.
The next day, there was a glitch at Wilson Tech that needed addressing.
Johnny and I headed over that afternoon to sort it out.
When we arrived at Wilson Tech, we spent some time going over the technical issues with their team. I was mid-sentence, explaining a potential workaround, when the conference room door opened and two men walked in, escorted by a staff member.
I glanced up briefly.
Both of them looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place them immediately. One of them, tall, with sharp features, an expensive watch, raised an eyebrow when he saw me.
“Wait, she actually works here? Small world p>
The other guy, broader build and more casual in his demeanor, just shrugged like he couldn’t care less.
A staff member nearby overheard and quickly corrected them. “Oh, you mean Miss Miller? No, she’s not with Wilson Tech. She’s from Cole Technologies, just here helping us troubleshoot a system issue today p>
I felt their eyes on me, lingering a beat too long.
I turned slightly, meeting their gazes head-on for just a second before calmly looking away and refocusing on the screen in front of me.
The taller one chuckled. “Wow. Ice cold p>
I didn’t react. Didn’t need to.
The other guy opened his mouth like he was about to say something else, but then the door opened again.
Sienna walked in.
The shift in the room was immediate.
“Miss Brown p>
The taller man’s entire demeanor changed. The bored indifference he’d shown when talking about me vanished, replaced by something sharper. More attentive.
Sienna paused when she saw them, her expression polite but distant. “Mr. Hardin. Mr. Jolly p>
The one called Hardin Rex, stepped forward eagerly. “Miss Brown, do you work here at Wilson Tech p>
“No,” Sienna replied smoothly. “I specialize in algorithms. I’ve been coming here recently to learn from the team and improve my skills p>
Rex nodded, clearly impressed. “That’s admirable. Always refining your craft p>
I kept my eyes on my laptop, but I could hear the shift in his tone, it was warmer, more engaged. Like she was worth his time in a way I wasn’t.
I didn’t care.
Johnny, sitting beside me, glanced over and muttered under his breath, “You good p>
“Fine,” I said quietly.
And I was.
Because I’d recognized them now. These were the two men from the auction, the ones who’d been talking about me like I was some kind of curiosity. Some amusing little footnote in their social circle.
I could feel Hardin’s attention still hovering near Sienna, his body language open and interested.
I’d heard things about him. About both of them, actually. Rex Hardin especially, he was from one of the prominent families in the Bellini Pack, though he spent most of his time abroad. He’d only recently come back.
And apparently, since meeting Sienna, he’d been hearing all about her from their mutual circles.
The prodigy who graduated university at eighteen. The PhD candidate at a top-tier global institution. The woman who excelled at racing, esports, even extreme sports like rock climbing and skydiving.
It was an impressive resume.
I could see why he was interested.
Too bad for him, though.
She was with Dante.
I could sense him keeping his distance from Sienna, careful not to overstep. “You’re incredibly dedicated, Miss Brown. That’s rare to see p>
Sienna’s voice was smooth, or pretending to be smooth and modest. “You’re too kind, Mr. Hardin. I’m here because I know how much I still have to learn p>
I didn’t look up, but I could practically feel the admiration radiating off him.
Hardin and his companion, Jolly, I think, were here on business. Their company, HJ Tech, had some kind of partnership with Wilson Tech. We were all working on different pieces of the same puzzle, apparently. Cole and Wilson Tech were collaborating on system technology, while HJ Tech handled materials.
Footsteps approached our table. I heard Manager Jack’s voice, friendly and professional. “Mr. Gray, are these two p>
Johnny glanced up, his expression shifting into something politely neutral. “Oh, Mr. Hardin, Mr. Jolly. And Miss Brown p>
My fingers stilled on the keyboard for just a second.
I didn’t raise my head. Just kept my focus locked on the screen in front of me, continuing my conversation with the staff member beside me about the system parameters.
Manager Jack sounded pleasantly surprised. “You all know each other p>
“We’ve crossed paths,” Johnny said casually.
They were all from the same elite circles in the Bellini Pack. It would’ve been stranger if they didn’t know each other. But Johnny’s tone made it clear they weren’t exactly close.
Hardin and his team exchanged pleasantries with Johnny before heading off with Manager Jack to discuss whatever business had brought them here.
Sienna stayed behind.
I felt her gaze on me, and it was brief, although assessing but I didn’t acknowledge it. Just kept typing.
After a moment, she turned her attention back to Johnny. “Mr. Gray, did you just arrive p>
Her voice was light, and friendly. Like we were all just colleagues having a casual chat.
Johnny didn’t look up from his notes. “About half an hour ago.” He paused, then added dryly, “You seem to have been here much longer, Miss Brown p>
“I got here this morning,” Sienna replied easily. “But after working all day, I needed a break. I went upstairs to grab some water and rest for a bit p>
Upstairs.
To Dante’s office, she meant.
I kept my expression blank, my hands were steady on the keyboard, but something tightened in my chest.
Johnny’s tone cooled noticeably. “I see. So Mr. Wilson is here today as well p>
“No, actually. He’s at the main company p>
There was a beat of silence.
So even when Dante wasn’t here, Sienna could just waltz into his office whenever she wanted? Make herself comfortable? Help herself to his space like it was hers?
Did that mean he had no boundaries with her? No secrets?
I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat and forced myself to focus on the line of code in front of me.