âButââ Lisanne fell into an abrupt silence mid-sentence.Winnie, without any hesitation, inquired further, âBut what? Just spit it out.âLisanneâs brows creased. âAfter giving it some thought, I realize I might need Prince Andrewâs help to resolve this matter. Given that I need someone to shield me from the pressure, Prince Andrewâa member of the royal familyâis undoubtedly the best candidate.âAs for the person whoâs dying to see me leave, heâs actually a rival of mine in the research center and also a fellow mentee. Ever since we worked together under the same boss, he began to covet my research topics and results.âBack then, he kept hinting to me to include his name on my thesis even though he made zero contributions. Obviously, I rejected him as there was no way I was going to reward him for doing nothing, but that was the genesis of his grudge toward me.âNow that I have tendered my resignation, itâs natural that I want to take my research papers and results with me. However, he protested against it by claiming that he had completed the research together with me. He told me that I was free to leave but had to leave the research data to him, either that or add his name to my thesis.âConsidering how despicable he is, I would rather destroy my research data than leave it to him. But now, Iâve changed my mind. I have instead decided to share two of my theses with Prince Andrewâs girlfriend. Doing so would help her put her foot in the door of the research center.âNow that Iâm looking to quit and Professor Houlter has passed away abruptly, the research center is suddenly short-handed. Also, Prince Andrewâs presence will help facilitate my resignation too. In the event my rival gives me any trouble, the prince would naturally have my back. After all, his girlfriend is the one taking over my role, and it makes no sense for him to sit idly by when sheâs being attacked by someone else. Anyway, this is what I have in mind, and it feels like a win-win scenario. So, what do you think?âWinnie gave the matter deep thought. âI think itâs feasible, but have you thought it through? Do you really want to share your theses with someone else? Those are, after all, the fruits of your research!ââYes, Iâve made up my mind.â Lisanneâs tone was firm. âFor the sake of returning to Chanaea, this is certainly worth it.ââFine.
Iâll find a way to talk to Prince Andrew about this. Just wait for my update.ââGreat!â After breathing a sigh of relief, Lisanne opened the menu and prepared to order a slice of cake.âI finally have some appetite,â she remarked before asking Winnie. âIâll order one for you too, Winnie. How about a mousse cake?ââIâll pass.â Winnie took a sip of coffee. âThe earlier I get this done, the better. After finishing this cup of coffee, Iâm going straight to see Wilhelm.ââAll right then. I hope youâll bring good news.âThe fact that Lisanne was willing to share the credit for her theses would definitely be welcomed by Andrewâs girlfriend.As a result, the matter was quickly resolved.Although Wilhelm knew that Winnie had contributed significant effort to the matter, she was still someone within Xavierâs network. Hence, he stopped making things difficult for the latter.As for Lisanne, she quickly made preparations to return to her country.Due to her experience at the research center, her impression of Yartran was utterly ruined.
Therefore, she didnât even want to keep her house there and instructed Winnie to sell it on her behalf.
Although Winnie agreed to it, she figured that Lisanne might still return to Yartran one day. Thus, she bought the house out of her own pocket and planned to return it to Lisanne as a gift one day.Now that Lisanne was all packed, she decided to leave all her furniture behind. All that was left was to receive a confirmation of her resignation from the research center.It was during this lull in Lisanneâs schedule that Winnie brought Xavier over to see the former.Firstly, they wanted to thank her. Secondly, Winnie wanted to introduce Xavier to Lisanne, who was, after all, a close friend of hers.With all her concerns resolved, Lisanneâfeeling much at easeâbroke into a vibrant smile at the sight of Winnie and Xavier before going on to entertain them warmly.After lunch, she invited both of them to play some board games.As for Xavier, he received a call a few minutes into the game and had to leave early, leaving Winnie and Lisanne behind.Lisanne then threw a glance at Xavierâs back before commenting, âHe looks better in person than in the pictures. From what youâve told me before, he does feel like someone you can spend the rest of your life with. Well done, Winnie! So when are you planning to have children?ââWeâll have them when we have them,â Winnie replied after pondering briefly. âTo be honest, weâre not currently planning for it due to the residual poison in his body. Therefore, now probably isnât the best time yet.âLisanne nodded. âThatâs true. Besides, both of you are still young, so thereâs no hurry at all. Having said that, what about the physical evaluation your brother is supposed to give him? Is he in the right condition to do it?ââNo, he isnât. Thatâs why I spoke to Wilhelm again about it. Luckily, being the reasonable person he is, he has postponed it indefinitely and will probably forget about it with time.
Anyway, enough about me. What about you? Do you have anyone you fancy?ââMe?â Lisanne shook her head right away. âIâm sure youâre well aware that Iâve been so engrossed in my research over the past few years that I just have no time for a relationship.ââReally?â Winnie was skeptical. âIn that case, why are your cheeks red? Youâre blushing, arenât you? Thatâs why youâre averting your gaze while speaking.ââIâm not!â Lisanne insisted stubbornly. âI just feel hot from playing the game.ââReally?â Winnie exposed her friendâs bluff right away. âWhy donât I feel hot at all?ââThatâs because youâre not afraid of the heat, but I am!â Avoiding the topic, Lisanne stopped playing and walked aside to pick up her phone instead.Sensing her friendâs reluctance to talk about her love life, Winnie didnât inquire further.Nonetheless, she noticed the drooping of Lisanneâs smile the moment the latter looked at her phone.Worried that something untoward had happened, Winnie hurried to her side.However, Lisanneâ
who was just staring at her screenâquickly put her phone away when she noticed Winnieâs approach.Unfortunately, she was too late, for Winnie had managed to catch a glimpse.Lisanne had a chat window opened.In it, she had sent the recipient many messages, including her daily thoughts and her concern for the latter. Unfortunately, she never received a single reply.Evidently, she liked that person a lot, but the feeling wasnât mutual.As for the personâs profile pictureâ¦Winnie found it extremely familiar as it was none other than Christopher Bennett!Stunned by the realization, Winnie took a few seconds to regain her senses.âLisanne,â Winnie asked, âdo you know Christopher?â