?Chapter 1680:


    A soft, masculine voice called out behind her. Ste turned to find a young man in a crisp white shirt standing several feet away, a few books tucked under his arm and a shy smile ying across his features.


    Ste searched her memory but came up empty. She was certain she had never met this person before. She kept her voice gentle. “I’m sorry, but do I know you?”


    “My name is Rufus Payne. I’m a second-year graduate student.” Rufus took a step closer, undisguised admiration lighting up his face. “Ms. Russell, I’ve read all your experimental reports and every paper you’ve published. I can’t believe I’m actually meeting you in person!” He spoke with the breathless excitement of someone finally meeting their idol.


    Ste had contributed to numerous groundbreaking experiments over the years, and mentoring students in her field was the entire reason she had agreed toe today. She had simply been too preupied with William to focus on much else — she hadn’t really noticed the students she was supposed to be here for.


    She offered Rufus a polite smile. “Hello. Was there something specific you wanted to ask me?”


    Rufus scratched his head shyly. “It’s nothing urgent, really. I heard you’d be here today and rushed over — I was afraid I’d miss you. Are you just… walking around campus?”


    His nervous energy managed to pull Ste momentarily out of her dark thoughts. “Yes, just taking a walk.”


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    Rufus brightened immediately. “We just got a whole shipment of new research equipment in. I could show you, if you’re interested. And… to be honest, I’ve been stuck on some aspects of my thesis and I don’t know how to move forward.”


    Ste understood what he was asking and found herself hesitating. Her original n had been to head straight home — especially given that William had chosen someone else’spany and clearly didn’t want hers. But when she looked at the earnest hope written all over Rufus’s face, she couldn’t bring herself to turn him down. If he had been trying to hit on her, she would have had no trouble making an excuse and walking away. But he was asking for academic guidance, which was literally why she hade to campus in the first ce.


    After a moment’s consideration, Ste nodded. “That sounds good. I’d like to see the new equipment anyway. We can discuss your research as we go.”


    Rufus eagerly took the lead, and they fell into step beside each other as they crossed the campus. He was genuinely passionate about research — as they walked, he talked animatedly about the department’s ongoing projects, and the questions he posed demonstrated sophisticated understanding. Ste answered each one with patience, even taking time to review a draft of his current paper and identifying several areas that needed refinement.


    As the conversation deepened, she found herself absorbed in the intellectual exchange. For a blessed stretch of time, thoughts of William and Alisha faded into the background.


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