?Chapter 350:


    Emmanuel gave Lance a kick and murmured, “What are you waiting for? Go apologize to Elliana!”


    That made Lance flinch, and he nced at Elliana, his voice unsure. “Are you really River? The one I admire?”


    Turning toward him, Elliana answered with a calm, measured tone, “I do go by the alias River. But whether I’m the version of River you’ve idolized, I wouldn’t know. The one you admire is a legend. I’m just the dim-witted eyesore you alwaysin about.”


    Lance blinked. With those words, she confirmed her identity without dancing around it.


    Hutton’s respectful silence and obedient stance left no room for doubt—Elliana was, without question, the River Lance had idolized for years. A deep wave of regret washed over Lance, and he kept wiping his forehead in a useless attempt to hide his embarrassment. He remembered how furious he’d been when Jeff called him an idiot for taunting Elliana. At the time, he thought Jeff was being dramatic—but now, he knew better. Even someone like Jeff, impulsive and wild, had recognized Elliana’s worth long before he had. The realization stung worse than any insult.


    Everything finally clicked for Lance. Now it made perfect sense why Cole always treated Elliana with such care. It wasn’t just affection—it was respect. What had won Cole over must have been her mind, not just her heart.


    Men of real substance cared more about a woman’s intelligence and abilities than how she looked on the surface.


    And now, knowing Elliana was River, Lance didn’t see her as unattractive anymore. There was something brilliant in her gaze, the very quality Dillen had mentioned before.


    Lance stammered, “I-I am sorry. I didn’t see clearly before. I waspletely out of line. Please give me a chance to make it right. I swear I’ll stop acting like an idiot and show you due respect.” Hutton stood there, a smile on his lips as he saw Lance finallye around.


    Both Elliana and Emmanuel cracked intoughter.


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    Lance felt his face burn even more under their amusement and wiped his forehead once again,pletely flustered.


    Still in a teasing mood, Elliana turned to Hutton and asked with a yful smirk, “So, Hutty, should we take on this project?”


    Hutty? The nicknamended with a thud. Emmanuel and Lance both winced slightly, their eyes twitching, unsure if they had just misheard. Hutton, however, didn’t mind in the slightest. Just minutes earlier, he had stood before the crowd with theposure of a seasoned Al master. Now, he looked more like a cheerful schoolboy eager to impress.


    “Everyone makes mistakes now and then. Why not give Mr. Evans a shot?” Hutton said with a grin.


    Elliana gave a small nod. “Alright. Lance, for the sake of Hutty, I’ll give you a chance to ask for my help properly.”


    After saying that, she turned on her heel and headed back into the Al R&D Department, calmly returning to her original seat.


    Hutton stayed close behind her, going so far as to pick up her lunchbox and tidy it neatly.


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