Chapter 329: Elias Mercer Chuckled at Clara Whitmore's Rigid Posture

"Relax." Elias Mercer chuckled at Clara Whitmore's rigid posture.

She finally loosened up and sat across from him.

"Your cooking suits my taste perfectly." Elias lifted his soup bowl, gently tapping it against hers. "This is the best thank-you gift."

He picked up a golden-brown fried chicken wing—crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside.

"You won't find such authentic flavors elsewhere."

Clara smiled faintly. "Then the rest is all yours?"

Elias's eyes curved slightly. "The honor is mine."

By the time they finished lunch, it was already 2 p.m.

After cleaning the kitchen, they left together.

Elias headed to the lab while Clara went to the library—conveniently on the same route.

At the fork in the road, Clara instinctively followed Elias left.

Suddenly realizing she no longer needed to go to the lab, her ears burned as she hastily turned and hurried toward the library.

* * *

The next day, Clara brought homemade pastries to the lab.

"Wow!" Elise Warren gasped at the exquisitely shaped cakes in the box. "You made all these?"

"This cartoon cat is adorable!"

"And a Transformer too!"

Felix Moreau immediately spotted the Stitch-themed cake. "Can I have this one?"

"Go ahead." Clara nodded with a smile.

Elise teased with a wink. "For Celia?"

Felix scratched his head sheepishly.

Theo Marsh couldn't wait to take a bite. "Perfect sweetness—not cloying at all."

Clara said softly, "My thesis is done. I might not come to the lab often anymore."

Elise had expected this, just not so soon.

"Don't make it sound so final. We can still meet for meals."

Theo sighed regretfully. "I'll miss having a mental math partner."

Felix added, "You're always welcome back."

Celia Monroe glanced at the Stitch cake on the table, secretly relieved.

Finally leaving...

That evening, Elias treated everyone to dinner.

They chose a five-star courtyard restaurant.

Clara wore a lavender dress with her hair in a bun and strappy sandals.

The pebbled pathway at the entrance made her tread carefully, but she still slipped—falling backward.