Chapter 377
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These prominent scholars might be able to speak eloquently duritie academic discussions, but they weren’t fond of socializing . Hence , when invited to dinner , their first instinct was to decline.
It wasn’t until Professor Weiss explained that we would simply be continuing the day’s discussion while eating–rather than it being a formal meal–that the scholars finally agreed to join us later that evening.
Hungry for more knowledge, my attention was fully focused on these professors. All I could think about was what questions ! could ask them over dinner. I was so focused that I didn’t even notice Irvin repeatedly glancing at me as we left.
We took a shuttle back to the official conference hotel. Then, after saying temporary goodbyes, we headed to our respective rooms to change.
Once inside the room, Emma couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“Oh my god!” she exclaimed. “I thought I was pretty smart because I had a high IQ, I had always been a top student and managed to get into one of the top–tier universities in the country
“But after today’s conference, I feel like I’ve been delusional. How am I smart? I’m practically an idiot! I couldn’t understand a single thing those professors were saying!”
She wasn’t exaggerating.
Honestly, I’d only understood parts of what the professors had been saying too. I also felt like I was nothing after conversing with them.
Learning truly was a lifelong journey, and there was so much I still didn’t know. Everything else was trivial by comparison. After changing my clothes, I wrote down all the questions I wanted to ask. I planned on bringing them up one by one later during dinner.
Meanwhile, Emma had posted on Twitter about how insignificant she felt after meeting so many brilliant scholars. She genuinely felt that way, but shortly after posting it, the comments were all negative.
Some said she was subtly bragging. Others sarcastically asked what that made the rest of them if she claimed she was insignificant. There were also comments saying they might as well give up on life if this were the case .
Emma stared at the comments in disbelief before deleting her post There was a reason adults posted less and less on social media these days.
Since the professors highly valued their time, we dined at the hotel’s in–house restaurant instead of heading elsewhere.
Emma and I had arrived early to wait for the professors. That was when I saw Irvin and Grace walk in, leading a group.
Irvin’s eyes lit up again the moment he spotted me. The change in his expression was so noticeable that even Emma, who was standing beside me , caught it.
With a discreet tug on my sleeve, she whispered, “Is what they’re saying online actually true, Emilia? That the surviving twin is your ex–husband, Irvin Sawyer, and not Timothy Hardwell? The way he looks at you is clearly loaded!”
One second, Irvin was like a cold, aloof, and frigid CEO. And the next, he looked like a large puppy trying to win his owner’s affection. Truthfully, anyone would have a hard time convincing themselves that there wasn’t something wrong with him.
I didn’t respond and merely gave Emma a warning look. It was enough to make her understand to drop the subject, and she immediately stopped talking.
Grace smiled when she spotted me. “Ms. Quill! What a coincidence ! ”
As the saying went, one shouldn’t attack the person trying to make peace.
So, despite our messy history, I still smiled back at Grace–I had no choice but to under these circumstances.
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“ Yes , what a coincidence,” I replied.
“Irvin and I are treating a few professors to dinner, and one of them is the leading figure in your field. Would you like to join us?
Grace warmly invited.
It was as though our past conflicts had never happened. I couldn’t Help admiring how far she was willing to go with this act.
Smiling back, I answered, “No, thank you. I already have dinner plans.”
“Alright then. Let’s have dinner together another time,” Grace replied.
Then, taking Irvin’s arm, she said to him, “Shall we, Tim?”
Irvin simply hummed in response. After giving me another glance, he turned and left with Grace.
Emma looked confused by this. Just moments ago, she saw how Irvin’s eyes had lit up. Because of this, she was convinced he was my ex–husband who had been desperately trying to win me back.
But now , Emma felt this wasn’t the case. However, she didn’t have time to think about it further as the professors were arriving one after another for our dinner appointment.