Patrick seemed blissfully unaware of the change in Mira''s expression, keeping his polite smile intact. "Oh, by the way, the professor mentioned you snagged first ce in an internationalpetition a couple of years back. That''s seriously impressive, Mira."


    Mirabe was speechless. He''d really done his homework, digging up stuff from years ago.


    ze chimed in, picking up where Patrick left off. "It''s a real bummer you''re not going to the uing conference, Mira!"


    Mirabe gave them both a look filled with mixed emotions. Their back-and-forth was almost like a rehearsed y.


    "Especially since the conference is at Riverside University. It''s such a renowned school; don''t you want to check it out?" Patrick added, confident that no one could turn down such an offer.


    "Riverside University?" Mirabe''s interest was piqued.


    What a coincidence.


    ze quickly nodded, catching her curiosity. "Yeah, didn''t I tell you before?"


    Mirabe''s expression remainedplicated. "You didn''t."


    ze scratched his head, realizing his sales pitch had missed the mark earlier.


    But that wasn''t the main issue now.


    "So, Mira, are you thinking about going to the conference?" ze asked, his voice lifting with excitement.


    Mirabe paused, then asked, "How long is it?"


    "The conference itself is only two days, but you''ll need about a week," Patrick replied.


    "That''s not too long," Mirabe mused, tapping her fingers on the table. "I''ll check with my friends and see if I can get the time off."


    "Alright." Patrick nodded, then offered, "If it''s tricky to get approval, I can chat with the professor and have him talk to your department."


    "Yeah, the professor would be all for it," zeughed. "He even joked about


    giving a bonus to whoever could convince you to go."


    Of course, ze wouldn''t dream of iming that bonus.


    Mirabe''s breath caught. "Why didn''t the professor just ask me directly?!"


    ze and Patrick were momentarily stunned.


    Mirabe''s expression was sincere. "I mean, it''s not about the bonus. I just love going to conferences!"


    ze and Patrick exchanged bewildered looks. "????"


    That wasn''t what you said before.


    A short whileter, feeling like she''d missed out on a fortune, Mirabe left the library in a less-than-pleasant mood. She nced up at the


    overcast sky and let out a deep sigh.


    Pulling out her phone, she messaged her neighbor, James, on Messenger: "Life is such a struggle."


    James, phone in hand, replied: "?"


    Mirabe quickly typed back, frustration evident: "I''m envious of the rich today!"


    James smirked and swiftly responded: "Messenger transfer."


    Mirabe blinked at the string of numbers on the screen, and before she could


    react, another message appeared.


    James: "Ms. Mirabe, I''m broke now."


    Mirabe: "..."


    Alright, rich folks sure know how to have fun.


    ...


    ze and Patrick headed back to theb.


    Elliot happened to be there, grabbing some materials. Hearing about Mirabe''s decision to attend the conference, he was surprised. "What did you say to get her on board?"


    ze thought back to the earlier


    leet


    Sation and said, "I think she


    changed her mind when she


    found


    fit was at Riverside University."


    Patrick, holding a magazine, nced at ze but had his own thoughts. Clearly,


    Mira had a change of heart when the bonus was brought up.