Chapter 313: Clara Whitmore and Connor Hayes Sat on the Stone Bench

Clara Whitmore and Connor Hayes sat on the stone bench in the pavilion, speaking in hushed tones.

Their shoulders nearly touched.

The girl frowned slightly, her expression focused. The man leaned in, nodding occasionally in agreement.

Elias Mercer stood at a distance, his gaze fixed on the faint curve of Connor's lips. Even from afar, he could sense the unmistakable mating signal.

His eyes darkened.

Pulling out his phone, he dialed Theo Marsh.

"Hey, Elias?"

"Want bubble tea?"

"Huh?" Theo pulled the phone away to check the caller ID. "You sick or something?"

"My treat. Ask the others."

Theo immediately raised his voice. "Professor Mercer's buying bubble tea! Hands up if you don't want any. Great, everyone's in."

"I'll go get it."

"Why not just order delivery?"

"Passing by," Elias said flatly. "What flavors?"

"Which shop?"

Elias named the place.

Theo rattled off: "I'll take sandwich cookie milk tea with fresh milk base, taro balls, less sugar, no ice, extra foam. Elise wants—"

"Too complicated." Elias cut him off. "Can't remember."

Theo: "???"

The same Elias Mercer who could recall complex experimental data at a glance now claimed he couldn't remember a few drink orders?

"Text Clara," Elias said calmly. "Ran into her. We'll go together."

"Got it! Sending now!"

After hanging up, Theo typed rapidly.

"Done!"

He added a voice message: "Thanks, sweetie~"

Suddenly, his fingers froze—

Wait!

Why not just text Elias directly?

* * *

"Clara."

Both heads in the pavilion turned.

"Professor Mercer?"

"Passing by." Elias's gaze swept over them.

Connor stood, extending a hand. "Professor Mercer."

"Mr. Hayes." A brief handshake.

Their eyes locked, undercurrents swirling.

"Business at the university?"

"Helping a professor with something."

Clara's phone buzzed. Reading the message, she looked up in surprise. "You're treating us to bubble tea?"

"Mn. That place you recommended last time was good."

Clara nodded. "Give me five minutes."

"Alright."

Connor's smile stiffened. At the mention of the shop name, his eyes darkened.

"Professor Mercer drinks bubble tea?"

"First time was Clara's treat."

"What temperature?"

"Room temp." Elias's lips curved slightly.

"Special packaging?"

"Cup had hearts and arrows." Elias feigned nonchalance. "Didn't know bubble tea shops offered such... thoughtful service."