Chapter 192: Theo Marsh's Chopsticks Lifted a Piece of Scallion Oil Chicken

Theo Marsh's chopsticks lifted a piece of scallion oil chicken, its golden skin glistening with oil. The tender meat melted in his mouth, its savory juices bursting on his tongue. "This tastes absolutely authentic!" he couldn't help exclaiming. "It's been ages since I've had scallion oil chicken this good."

Felix Moreau followed suit, nodding as he chewed. "It really is excellent. Celia, would you like to try some?"

"No." Clara Whitmore pushed her bowl away coldly. "I'm watching my weight."

Felix awkwardly retracted his chopsticks and stuffed the chicken into his own mouth. "Then after you finish dieting, we can come here just the two of us—"

"Who said I'd go anywhere alone with you?" Clara rolled her eyes.

Elise Warren glanced at Elias Mercer, who was quietly eating across the table, and casually asked, "Clara, how old are you? If you're starting grad school this September, you must be around twenty-two or twenty-three?"

"Twenty-six," Clara replied without looking up.

The table fell silent for a beat.

Felix stole a glance at Elias, but his expression remained unreadable as he continued eating with measured grace.

Celia Monroe smirked. "Twenty-six and just now getting into grad school? How many times did you take the exam?"

Felix kicked her under the table, earning a sharp glare in return.

"Once." Clara set down her chopsticks. "The entrance exams weren't difficult."

Celia scoffed. "If it were that easy, why didn't you apply right after undergrad? Don't tell me it took you years to finally get in."

"I turned down a combined bachelor-master-doctoral program." Clara's voice was calm. "Now I regret it, so I'm reapplying."

Celia looked like she'd heard the most ridiculous joke. "Ashford University doesn't offer combined programs outside of medicine! That's exactly why I went abroad for grad school!"

"Just because you didn't know about it doesn't mean it doesn't exist," Clara said flatly.

"Professor Marsh," Celia turned to Theo, "does Ashford University offer any combined bachelor-to-PhD programs besides medicine?"

Theo wiped his brow. "Well... not to my knowledge."

"See?" Celia lifted her chin triumphantly.

Clara gently set down her teacup. "I said combined bachelor-master-doctoral program, not just master-to-PhD."

Theo's eyes widened suddenly.

Celia sneered. "What's the difference? Your lies just keep getting bigger!"