Dane and Claire walked over to join them.
Hearing her comment about the weather, Dane promptly gestured for Professor Darwin to head indoors.
The venue was stunning-secluded and peaceful. The courtyard was bursting with vibrant flowers, filling the crisp air with a delicate fragrance.
Dining outside in the courtyard would have been quite charming.
But the wind really was a bit too strong.
Better to eat inside.
The interior of the restaurant was even more exquisite.
It wasn't just faux-vintage decor; it was genuinely historic.
The artifacts and furnishings displayed around the room were actual antiques.
While many were incredibly convincing replicas, there were definitely authentic pieces mixed in.
The owner likely kept the real treasures tucked away to avoid tempting thieves.
Owning priceless heirlooms but displaying high-quality knockoffs proved just how shrewd the owner really was.
Professor Darwin had clearly been here before, but it was a first for Jade.
She couldn't stop looking around, absorbing every detail.
The architectural style of the building itself was fascinating enough to warrant an academic study.
Falling into his professorial role, Darwin began pointing out historical eras, structural quirks, and the likely inspiration behind the design.
The two of them immediately engaged in a passionate architectural debate.
The restaurant didn't offer a menu; the chef served a set tasting course, though guests could mention any dietary restrictions upfront.
Taking advantage of the lull before the food arrived, Professor Darwin finally asked, "Mr. Green, and who might this be?"
Dane had planned to formally introduce her anyway. Now that the professor had opened the door, he proudly obliged.
"This is my fiancée, Claire. She's a student at Cabinda Medical School."
Professor Darwin blinked in surprise. He was usually buried in his work, but even he had heard Claire's name.
The girl had caused such a spectacle recently that anyone who ate in the cafeteria was familiar with her identity.
Not even the faculty were immune to the campus gossip.
The entire student body and staff knew by now that Claire wasn't just academically gifted—she was completely untouchable.
You simply didn't mess with her.
If
f you crossed her, she would ruin you without a second thought.
"Ah, so you're Claire. I've heard a lot about you."
The professor offered a warm, polite smile.
Despite his internal disappointment, he clearly understood the boundary Dane had
set.
A fiancée carried far more weight than a mere girlfriend.
and
Using that title meant their families had already given their given their blessing the
probably dry contente
kon the prenuptials was el?
FindNovel.net
Still, it was mind-boggling that someone as young as Claire was already engaged.
Jade studied Claire with undisguised curiosity.
She had sensed the professor's subtle attempts to set her up with the billionaire.
Though she felt out of his league, she had secretly wondered if she might just catch his eye.
Now that her slim hope was officially dead, she couldn't help but size Claire up.
In terms of pure looks, Jade knew she fell short.
met
Jade was widely considered beautiful, but Claire possessed stunning, effortless radiance that clearly came from a lifetime of wealth and impeccable care.
Claire radiated a natural, unshakable confidence that Jade simply didn't have.
Even though Jade meticulously
styled herself for e
for college fe, she still
tacked Claire's effortless allure.
Gontent
Did coming from old money really make someone this impossibly flawless?
The question lingered bitterly in Jade's mind.
She had heard the rumors about Claire being exposed as a fake heiress.
So how was she still this phenomenal?
Had losing her high-status background not shattered her spirit at all?
Throughout dinner, Claire easily noticed Jade's frequent, calculating glances. But she brushed it off entirely.
She was just here to be arm candy and enjoy a fantastic free meal.
Her biggest contribution to the night was squashing the professor's attempt to play matchmaker.
By the time dinner wrapped up, Dane and Professor Darwin had fully finalized the architectural blueprints.