Bianca exined, "He had to step out for a bit. He''ll be back soon."


    Lillian grinned beside her. "My brother-inw went to prepare a surprise for my sister."


    "What kind of surprise?" Jude was just as curious as Lillian.


    "It wouldn''t be a surprise if I told you, would it? You''ll find out soon enough."


    Jude''s curiosity was genuinely piqued.


    Just then, Seth returned, and all eyes turned to him.


    Noticing their expressions, Seth asked, puzzled, "What''s wrong? Why is everyone staring at me?"


    Jude was about to speak but Lillian tugged on his arm, silently telling him not to ruin the surprise.


    Bianca deftly changed the subject. "Hasn''t Healy arrived yet?"


    As soon as she spoke, Healy and Dn walked through the door.


    Healy joked, "We''re notte, are we?"


    "Not at all, not at all." Lillian graciously moved her bag from the chair next to her. "Healy, please, sit here."


    Healy ignored her and sat next to Professor Selwyn, putting a significant distance between himself and Lillian.


    Dn''s reaction was even cooler. He didn''t even greet Bianca upon entering.


    As for a gift...


    There was none.


    The same went for Healy. It seemed they were just there to attend a gathering, not to congratte her.


    Although Bianca was bothered, she didn''t let it show, maintaining herposure.


    That''s how rtionships worked. Sess has many fathers, while failure is an orphan.


    Once PerseTech went public, once she was epted into Academician Joyner''s program, once she married Seth...


    All these little problems would solve themselves.


    She had plenty of patience to wait for that day.


    More people arrived, and Bianca greeted each of them.


    Throughout the meal, Professor Selwyn and Bianca were engrossed in a discussion about the ck box investment technique.


    Jude didn''t understand a word, but he was thoroughly impressed.


    and


    Not long after the dinner started, Dn stepped out several times. On one of those asions, "The left never came back.


    Bianca noticed but said nothing.


    It was Jude who finally realized and called Dn.


    He said something hade up and he had to leave early.


    "What''s with Dn?" Jude was annoyed. "He didn''t even say goodbye!"


    A scornful smile touched Bianca''s lips as she said nonchntly, "It''s fine. It''s not a


    formal banquet anyway. Let him go."


    Besides, her focus wasn''t on Dn tonight.


    Seth was actingpletely normal.


    The more ordinary he behaved, the more Bianca suspected he was nning something big.


    But as the dinner drew to a close, Seth still hadn''t made a move.


    Lillian started to get anxious,


    whispering in Bianca''s ear, "What''s going on with your fiancé? Why hast he done anything? I''m dying of suspense!"


    Bianca gave her a look, signaling her to keep quiet.


    The dinner wasn''t over yet. Anything could still happen.


    But by the time the meal ended, Seth remained as cid as ever.


    Bianca was so distracted that she didn''t even hear Professor Selwyn saying his goodbyes.


    It was Henry who had to prompt her, and she personally walked the professor out.


    Before he left, Professor Selwyn told


    Bianca, "You can check your scores


    at 9 AM on Monday. Be at the


    iel:


    university early Academiciandoyner wants to see you


    "Okay."


    Jude finally understood. "Academician Joyner wants to see you? Bianca, you''re


    amazing! I''m going too! To witness a genius!"


    "Healy, are you going?"


    Bianca expected him to refuse.


    But to her surprise, he agreed. "I''ll be there."