Chapter 384: Noah Kessler Slid the Menu Toward Maya Torres

"Order more if you want." Noah Kessler slid the menu toward Maya Torres.

Maya's eyes curved into crescents. "What do your parents do?"

"My father teaches. My mother writes." Clara Whitmore picked up a piece of fish.

"Oh my! A writer mom!"

Maya's exclamation drew glances from nearby tables. She cupped her face, starry-eyed. "So impressive..."

Her overly eager gaze made Clara and Noah simultaneously set down their chopsticks.

"And you?" Maya turned to Noah.

For once, he didn't object to the saccharine address. "Civil servant."

"How nice..." Maya murmured, fingers absently tracing the tablecloth.

As they paid, commotion erupted at the entrance.

Reid Everett swaggered in with Avery Quinn's group—noticeably missing Victoria Holloway. This budget eatery clearly didn't meet the Holloway heiress's standards.

"Well, if it isn't Professor Caldwell's prized students." Reid spread his arms theatrically. "Couldn't your advisor afford better?"

Silence.

His smile froze. "Our team's dining on departmental funds—Professor Hughes's special budget." He raised his voice. "The faculty allocated 80% resources to us this year. Doubt some can even scrape together lab equipment."

Zach Nolan tugged his sleeve. "Don't—"

"Back off!" Reid jerked away. "Don't touch me, country bumpkin!"

Zach paled, lips trembling. "We're...classmates—"

"You think you're my equal?" Reid sneered. "I could have you kicked out of the lab."

Zach clenched his fists. He remembered Derek Romano's advice: Endure for peace. But some humiliations cut too deep.

"Enough." Avery frowned.

Sabrina Ford added pointedly, "Derek hates team discord."

At Derek's name, Reid deflated slightly.

"Want to transfer?" He turned to Clara's group with condescension. "Though you're mediocre—"

"Indeed unworthy." Clara cut in. "Of your team."

Reid's face darkened.

"Department-funded meals violate University Regulation 37." Noah adjusted his glasses.

Maya already had her phone recording. "Care to repeat whose budget this is? Professor Hughes?"