Chapter 17: Sloane Bennett's Slender Fingers Tapped Lightly on the Menu

Sloane Bennett's slender fingers tapped lightly on the menu as she selected several exquisite sashimi platters. The translucent salmon slices were neatly arranged on an ice plate, glistening invitingly.

Clara Whitmore hesitated over the menu before finally ordering a steaming bowl of tonkotsu ramen. She carefully blew on the hot broth before taking small, cautious sips.

"Try this." Sloane picked up a slice of salmon and dipped it lightly in wasabi soy sauce. "It was air-flown in this morning."

Clara waved her hands dismissively. "You know I don't eat raw food." She lowered her head to take a bite of sushi, comforted by the warmth of the rice.

"Still the same old Clara." Sloane shook her head with an amused smile. She knew her best friend too well - once Clara liked something, she stuck with it, and things she disliked would never touch her lips.

Sloane suddenly sighed, examining her hands. "I've been so busy with blind dates lately, I haven't even had time for my usual manicure." She pouted. "My parents have teamed up to pressure me into marriage. It's driving me crazy."

"My cousin Elias isn't even married yet. Why are they only targeting me?"

At the mention of Elias Mercer's name, Clara's chopsticks paused. Since their hotpot dinner, they'd only briefly crossed paths once. She wondered if he'd liked that sandwich she made.

"By the way, how did the meeting with Professor Caldwell go?" Sloane asked abruptly.

Clara swallowed her noodles, her eyes lighting up. "She agreed to reserve a spot for me, as long as I pass the graduate entrance exam."

"That's fantastic!" Sloane clapped her hands. "I'm taking you somewhere special this weekend to celebrate."

"Where?"

"It's a secret."

* * *

The setting sun's fading light streamed through the library's floor-to-ceiling windows, casting dappled patterns across Clara's workbook. She rubbed her tired eyes after solving the final problem.

As the closing announcement echoed through the speakers, she packed her books and stepped outside. The evening sky was painted in vibrant hues, like an overturned palette.

She walked home leisurely, contemplating dinner options. Turning the corner, a familiar figure suddenly came into view.

In the laboratory, Elias Mercer stared intently at the data on his computer screen, his brow furrowed. Several consecutive days of failed experiments hadn't deterred him from meticulously recording every detail.

"Dr. Mercer, perhaps we should try a different approach?" The project manager rubbed his hands nervously. "This is becoming a waste of time."

Elias adjusted his glasses, his gaze sharp as a blade behind the lenses. "Science isn't child's play. If you lack this basic level of patience, you shouldn't have chosen this research topic."

"I just thought Dr. Pierce's proposal was more..."

"More what?" Elias cut in coldly. "More aligned with your interests?"

The manager awkwardly closed his mouth.