Chapter 1816

If Harley had never seen Karina’s genuine smile, perhaps he wouldn’t have noticed. But he had seen how she smiled at Wilfred, so radiant and pure it could light up a room. In contrast, her cold indifference toward him was painfully stark. Sliding the key into the ignition, Harley glanced at her through the rearview mirror. “Can’t you at least crack a smile? All this frowning-it’s hard to look at.”
Karina didn’t even bother turning her head. “I’m a doctor, not here to provide entertainment. If you’re that desperate for a smile, hit up a bar tonight. You can pay someone to grin at you all you want.”
Harley froze, his expression darkening ever so slightly. For a moment, he was genuinely at a loss for words. Apart from Wilfred, no one else had ever managed to leave him speechless quite like this.
*
Karina remained oblivious or perhaps indifferent to the fact that she had joined Wilfred in Harley’s mental list of thoroughly disliked people. And even if she knew, it wouldn’t have fazed her. Mutual disdain wasn’t something to lose sleep over.
The association’s headquarters was just as lavish as Karina had imagined. The building exuded exclusivity, its sleek marble floors glinting like polished obsidian. It was the kind of place where every detail screamed wealth and prestige.
At the reception desk, a poised woman dressed in sharp business attire greeted them with a practiced smile after inspecting Harley’s identification card. “Welcome back, Dr. Carter.”
Karina, feeling completely out of place, fidgeted slightly. Seeing Harley linger for idle chit-chat, she cut in impatiently. “Where’s Professor Zeller?”
The receptionist blinked, clearly taken aback by her blunt tone toward someone as esteemed as Professor Zeller. Karina didn’t care. She had no patience for formalities and only wanted to get this meeting over with.
Harley raised an eyebrow but didn’t seem offended. If anything, he looked amused. “In a rush, are we?”
Under Karina’s pointed glare, he relented with a shrug, abandoning the small talk as he led her to the elevators.
The elevator itself was a testament to excess, with reflective panels that looked like gold rather than glass.
Surrounded by her distorted
vel
reflections, Karina felt uncomfortably exposed. She-
resisted the urge to shift her weight
as the walls seemed to close in.
When the elevator chimed, signaling their arrival, Karina practically bolted out. Behind her, Harley’s lips curved into a faint smirk.
*
Harley ushered Karina into an
elegantly appointed room. Sitting at the head of the table was a middle-aged man in a tailored suit his silver hair immaculately combed. He leaned on a cane, exuding an air of authority and vigor that defied his age.
“Professor,” Harley greeted, his demeanor instantly transforming into one of deference.
Professor Zeller glanced at Harley, his sharp clear eyes devoid of the cloudiness often associated with age. A subtle gleam flickered in them as he nodded. “Hmm, good work. Have a seat.” FindNovel
Then, turning to Karina, he asked, “You’re the assistant Wilfred chose?”
Karina took a deep breath to steady herself.
Even though she had prepared for this moment, meeting the man in person was a completely different experience. His commanding presence alone could overpower her confidence tenfold. “Karina, at your service, Professor Zeller.” Her tone was calm and measured, neither arrogant nor submissive-a response that didn’t escape Zeller’s notice.
She could feel his piercing gaze sizing her up, scrutinizing every detail. The silence stretched uncomfortably long before he finally looked away.
Picking up his cup, he took a slow sip and remarked, “You’ve got a touch of Wilfred’s resolve.”