The next morning, after changing into a fresh outfit, I was about to head downstairs when I noticed ude Hart discussing work matters with Max.


    Hearing my footsteps, both Max and ude looked up at me. I greeted them with a smile, but ude quickly lowered his head and said to Max, "Uncle, I''ll be leaving now."


    Watching his hurried departure, I couldn''t help butugh at myself. Just the other day, he was offering to help, and now he seemed intent on taking over Max''s shares. Reflecting on it, I realized how naive I had been.


    "Why would you even consider mentoring him?" I asked, sitting next to Max who was busy looking through the papers ude left behind. He didn''t even look up when he answered, "Thepetition''s too weak. I thought it''d be more satisfying to beat him when he''s stronger."


    I raised an eyebrow at Max, impressed by his confidence. "What? Don''t believe me?" he asked.


    I shook my head, "It''s just that it''s easier to dodge a straight shot than a sneak attack."


    ude wasn''t the type to be easily satisfied. His reluctance to even greet me today showed how much he wanted toy low before seizing everything for himself.


    "Alright. I''ll be careful," Max assured me.


    With that, I stood up, "I''m nning to meet Kate today. She helped me outst time, and I haven''t had the chance to thank her yet."


    It had been half a year since that incident. I heard Kate had returned to school, studying medicine with the intention of assisting me in the future. It was weird how someone I used to can''t stand has turned into a close friend I can spill my guts to.


    Upon arriving at her ssroom, I was surprised to find her teacher was my old friend, Allen Ramsey. The way she looked at Allen was filled with admiration and longing, much like how she once looked at ude.


    Shaking my head, I was about to leave when Allen noticed me from the lectern. He set his book down and called out, "Not even a hello? Care to give a lecture?"


    I paused and turned around, "I''m not nearly as skilled as you."


    "The buzz around Evergreen Health Center in Crestview Metropolis would suggest otherwise," Allen remarked, inviting me in. But I


    declined. My reserved, low-k


    swnevel


    nature didn''t fit such asions.


    Just as I was about to leave, Allen told his ss, "Looks like your teacher''s got to chat up another teacher. You can take off early."


    Catching up to me with his books, Allen''s presence made me stop, "Actually, I''m here to see your student, Kate."


    Just then, Kate emerged, her face lighting up upon seeing me waiting. She hurried over.


    Seeing her, Allen''s expression fell, "So it wasn''t a visit for me but for Kate."


    Linking arms with me, Kate walked alongside me through the campus, "What brought you out of Evergreen Health Center? I thought you''d never leave." "Guess there are still a lot of things for me to deal with. I needed your help with something today," I remarked.


    Hearing this, Kate nced at Allen, "Professor Ramsey, ire has something to discuss with me. Are you sure you want to stick around?"Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Allen made a resigned gesture, "Guess I''ll visit Evergreen Health Center some other time."


    Once Allen left, Kate let out a sigh, "Professor Ramsey is usually so stern during lectures; to the students he''s this imposing figure. But today, he ended ss early for you. And he''s so rxed and youthful around you, ire, is there something going on between you two?"