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Time passed quickly, and before she knew it, the twenty-second had arrived. During this time, Chandler still hadn’t come home.
Tracy was already used to it. After today, there would only be eight days left. Nothing mattered
anymore.
Her work had almost all been handed over, and she was just waiting for the date to officially walk away.
At a little past nine, Tracy received a call from Sam.
“Tracy, I’m near your place. Come out.”
“Okay.” Tracy grabbed her bag and the gift box she had prepared, then headed out quickly.
Once she got in the car, Sam asked, “How much longer until you finish handing things over at work?”
As she fastened her seatbelt, Tracy replied, “It’s almost done. I’ll be able to officially return t the company on the first of next month.”
“Got it.”
The car quickly pulled away.
Garden Pavilion had to be booked in advance. Its architecture was old-fashioned, its style unique, and its surroundings peaceful.
When Tracy and Sam arrived, the door of their private room was slightly ajar, and inside she could hear the sound of people talking and laughing.
The moment she heard her teacher’s voice, Tracy’s palms started sweating nervously. Ever since graduating, she had hidden away in her marriage, wasting the effort her teacher had poured into her.
Would he blame her? Just thinking of that stern face made her uneasy.
Sam noticed her unease and smiled. “You really don’t need to be nervous. The teacher already knows you’re coming, and he also knows you’re coming back to the company.”
It was like a weight lifted off her chest. She nodded, though her palms were growing damper by the second.
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Chapter 28 Are You Here for a Side Job
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When the door was pushed open, Sam greeted the people inside with a smile. Everyone inside stood up politely to return the greeting.
Their teacher, Morten, was a man in his early fifties. His hair already showed faint streaks of white, and his gaze was sharp and penetrating, carrying the kind of weight that seemed to look right through a person. His eyes landed on Tracy behind Sam.
“Figured it out?”
Tracy lifted her eyes and met Morten’s for a moment before quickly lowering her head. “Yes, I’ve figured it out.”
Morten studied her for a long moment before saying, “Young people like you always have to keep running into walls before you finally realize you’ve lost your way. But life doesn’t give second chances. Time doesn’t wait, and neither do opportunities. Do you understand what I mean?”
“I understand. Thank you for reminding me, Teacher.” Tracy nodded rapidly, though her heart felt faintly sour.
She thought of the past three years-throwing herself into her marriage, missing out on too many chances, and ending up scarred and sick. How stupid she had been.
Fortunately, it wasn’t too late. There was still time to make up for it. From now on, she would only get better.
Sam pulled out the chair next to Morten for Tracy. After greeting the senior brothers, she sat down.
Sam took the seat on Morten’s other side and poured him tea. “Teacher, how come one of our seniors hasn’t arrived yet?”
“He said he’s busy and will come later. We can start eating first.”
Once someone began, the group naturally slipped into professional discussion.
Everyone was usually so busy that it was rare to have the chance to sit down together, even on their teacher’s birthday.
Most of them were involved in national research work, their projects top secret. Outsiders often assumed they were doing nothing important, but in truth their work was beyond what most could imagine.
Morten didn’t have many students, but each one was a heavyweight.
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Chapter 28 Are You Here for a Side Job
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This time in Northport, there were only Tracy, Sam, and six others-plus that mysterious senior, making nine in total.
As the discussion deepened, Tracy kept her head lowered, not daring to speak.
Suddenly, Morten’s gaze landed on her. “Tracy, you answer this one.”
Like she had in school, Tracy stood and gave her response with confidence. She laid out a precise, logical explanation to the question a senior brother had posed.
The moment she finished, the room burst into applause.
“Tracy’s amazing. After three years away, she can still answer so accurately.”
“Exactly. What a talent. No wonder Teacher always said it was such a pity you left the field.”
“Right, Teacher even said Tracy was the second genius after that mysterious senior.”
Embarrassed, Tracy lowered her head. “Seniors, you give me too much credit.”
Morten only gave a soft snort. “At least you haven’t completely wasted your foundation.”
The seniors asked her more questions, and Tracy answered each one smoothly, quickly joining their discussion.
Then Morten’s phone rang, and the room quieted. He answered, listening for a moment before nodding. “If you’re that busy, don’t come. We’re only here to eat and talk. Nothing important.”
After hanging up, he explained, “Your senior can’t come yet. We’ll wait a bit longer.”
Just then, a waiter pushed in a large cake. Setting it down, he said with a smile, “Mr. Morten, happy birthday. This was prepared for you by our boss. Please enjoy your meal.”
“Thank him for me.” Morten smiled.
Tracy was surprised. She’d heard Garden Pavilion belonged to the Johnson family. Could it be Sean?
Was Sean the mysterious senior?
Her mind jumped back five years. Sean had tutored her once, and no matter how tricky her questions were, he had always answered them with ease. She’d suspected he studied the same field as her, but he had brushed it off, saying he only knew a little.
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Chapter 28 Are You Here for a Side Job
If that was only “a little,” then what would it look like if he had truly mastered it?
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Sam nudged her with a piece of cake, pulling her from her thoughts. Tracy accepted it with a quick thank-you and lowered her head to eat.
By noon, dishes were served, but the mysterious senior still hadn’t shown. Just how busy was he, not even having time for a meal?
Morten called again. After a while, the call was picked up. “Teacher, I just finished. I’ll be there soon.”
Hanging up, Morten said to the group, “Your senior will be here shortly. Let’s wait.”
Tracy excused herself. “I’m going to the restroom.”
Outside the private room, she asked a waiter for directions and headed down the hall.
Coming back out, she froze.
Up ahead, Yvonne stepped out of their private room, her face dark.
The two women saw each other at almost the same time. Yvonne walked toward her with a
sneer.
“Tracy, don’t tell me you’re here doing a side job?”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
