Mirabe nodded, "Sure, Jessie."


    Hearing this, Jessie quickly introduced herself to Lisa.


    Lisa, sitting across from them, promptly introduced herself too.


    "It''s not every day youe across the name ''Ellis.'' Coincidentally, one of the consultants on our project also has thest name ''Ellis,"" Jessie remarked with a smile, something clicking in her memory.


    Lisa shrugged it off, "Yeah, it''s just not thatmon."


    "Right." After a quick chat with Lisa, Jessie turned her attention to Mirabe, who was beside her. She paused, surprised by the book Mirabe was reading, but then remembered Mirabe''s knack for math and figured a science book wasn''t unexpected for her.


    Putting her surprise aside, Jessie remembered a group chat message and asked Mirabe, "Hey Mira, have you checked our Messenger group chat?"


    Mirabe looked up, having her notifications on silent, "Nope, what''s up?"


    "Not much, just Mr. Ben mentioned he''d be dropping by this afternoon," Jessie said, knowing Mirabe was always a bit wary of external consultants.


    Mirabe paused for a moment while flipping through her book but showed no other reaction, "Got it."


    "Maybe skiping this afternoon. With your speed, you can catch up with us anytime," ," Jessie suggested.


    Mirabe shook her head, "No worries, thanks, Jessie."


    "Don''t mention it." Jessie grinned and went back to her research.


    Meanwhile, Lisa''s expression subtly shifted at the mention of ''Ben.''


    She wasn''t sure if this ''Ben'' was the same as her friend Emmitt, but it wasn''t a


    Lisa nced at Jessie and Mirabe, opened her mouth to say something, but seeing them engrossed in their work, she decided against it.


    Feeling distracted, Lisa pulled out her phone, tapped the screen, and sent a message to her Emmitt on Messenger.


    After waiting a long while with no response, Lisa put her phone away, feeling a bit frustrated.


    As the time came to leave, the trio exited the library.


    Jessie headed back to her dorm, parting ways with Mirabe and Lisa just outside.


    Preupied, Lisa walked absentmindedly, almost tripping twice on the stairs, only saved by Mirabe''s quick reflexes.


    "Got something on your mind?" Mirabe asked, casting a sideways nce at Lisa.


    Lisa lowered her eyes and shook her head, "No."


    "If something''s bothering you, just let me know," Mirabe offered without pressing further.


    "Okay," Lisa replied softly.


    As they headed towards their department, they barely made it to the building when they spotted two people in the hallway. Lisa froze when she recognized one of them.


    What was Emmitt doing here?


    Did hee to see her?


    Lisa checked her phone again, but there were no new messages or missed calls.


    Sensing someone was watching, Ben, who was chatting with someone else, looked up and caught sight of them. His face was as calm andposed as ever, but only Lisa knew whaty beneath that facade.


    Suddenly, Lisa grabbed Mirabe''s arm,ing up with an excuse, "Mira, I''m not feeling too great, cramps probably. Can you swing by my dorm and grab some pads for me?"


    Mirabe stopped and turned to Lisa, noticing her sudden pallor, and gently took her wrist as if to offer support.