Wade had snatched the physics professor away before he could even finish his question. leaving the other two department heads without a chance to speak. They all departed together. leaving a palpable void in their wake.


    As soon as they were gone, Matthew let out a deep sigh of relief, feeling as though his energy had been sapped by the encounter.


    “Those profs are like the academic elite, the creme de crème. Damn it. I swear, I’m scared stiff every time I see them,” Matthew muttered under his breath.


    Mirabe watched him silently, with an amused glint in her eye. It seemed that no matter the age, the instinctive fear of teachers was universal


    Vincent, although not as outwardly dramatic as his cousin, had also felt the imposing aura of the professors. Out of the corner of his eye, he stole a nce at Mirabe. Her calm and collected demeanor during her exchange with the professor was a stark contrast to their own unease.


    Such resilience under pressure!


    “But Mirabe, you know Professor Wade?” Matthew asked. His curiosity was aroused.


    After a brief pause, Mirabe replied, “Not really. We’ve met briefly before.”


    Matthew rubbed his nose thoughtfully, doubting the simplicity of this “brief meeting.” The warm manner in which Professor Wade had just addressed her seemed to suggest a more


    significant acquaintance.


    “Matthew, I think we should head back to the hotel Vincent interjected. “It might get awkward if we bump into more of your department’s faculty.”


    Matthew scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. “Yeah, sure.”


    “Thanks,” Mirabe said, offering Matthew a polite nod of gratitude.


    No sooner had Mirabe and Vincent stepped out of Prestige College than Mr. Hammond, who had suddenly remembered something important he’d forgotten, phoned Mirabe.


    Holding her phone, Mirabe looked back at the imposing gates of Prestige College. “We’ve just left Prestige College.”


    Mr. Hammond was on his way out of the hotel when he said. “Stay there by Prestige College. I’ll be right there.”


    Wade had asked him to introduce the youngdy to his biology department, but that hadpletely slipped his mind.


    Mirabe stopped in her tracks, puzzled. “Is there something you needed?”


    10


    Chapter <b>270 </b>


    Vincent halted behind her, waiting for the answer.


    “I mentioned Professor Wade to you before, right? I was going to introduce you to him.”


    “Oh, we’ve actually just met Professor Wade at the college,” Mirabe said honestly.


    Mr. Hammond, about to cross the street, paused at her words. “You’ve already met?”


    “Yep,” Mirabe affirmed, recalling that Professor Wade and the other professors seemed to have pressing matters to discuss. She added, “Professor Wade seemed quite busy.” In other words, there was no need to disturb him.


    After some thought, Mr. Hammond responded, “Alright, if Wade’s tied up, I won’t drag you over there. He seemed to have a good impression of you anyway.” Soon after, Mr. Hammond ended the call.


    And for a good while after, Mr. Hammond’s calls would only reach Wade’s blocklist.


    Mirabe pocketed her phone. Then she and Vincent made their way back to the hotel. Thepetition had ended, the final scores wouldn’t be out until three <b>in </b>the afternoon, and their flight wasn’t until seven in the evening, so several ssmates were chatting in their group about going out together to explore. Anthony reminded everyone to stay safe and then let them. go on their way.


    Back in her room, Mirabe sat resting in a chair, pondering for a moment before reaching for her phone to shoot a message to James on Messenger.