They stepped inside.

Jeremy Brown continued.

"We didn't interact much in school, but we're still classmates. We should keep in touch. Let's exchange WhatsApp?"

He took out his phone and showed his QR code.

"Scan me."

Faced with her enthusiastic classmate, Evelyn was silent for a moment.

She still scanned and added him.

Jeremy Brown saw the friend request and smiled.

"Your profile picture is the same as Dr. Nan's. Both yellow. Pretty rare."

Evelyn: "...That's a sunflower."

"Really?" Jeremy Brown clicked on the profile picture for a closer look.

"Haha, it really is."

He suddenly remembered something.

He opened the company WhatsApp group.

The group owner was Dr. Nan.

On his first day, James strictly forbade adding the big boss privately.

But curiosity drove him to study that profile picture multiple times.

Unfortunately, Dr. Nan disabled adding via group chat.

Employees could only look but not touch.

Now Jeremy Brown couldn't help looking at the profile picture again.

Was that a sunflower?

The photo was taken too close.

It was a mass of yellow.

He never looked carefully before.

He subconsciously clicked on the profile picture to zoom in.

But he suddenly noticed—

Huh?!

Why was he already friends with Dr. Nan?!

He rubbed his eyes, making sure he wasn't mistaken.

They were indeed friends.

Jeremy Brown was stunned.

He jerked his head up to look at Evelyn!

The elevator doors slid open.

Evelyn Ross stepped out.

James Klein swallowed hard and hurried after her.

He still couldn't believe it. He wanted to confirm something, but the words wouldn't come.

He realized then that when someone is utterly stunned, they are truly speechless.

James pointed at his phone, then at Evelyn.

Evelyn gave him a slight smile.

He followed her dumbly into the private room.

The Vance family held a firm position in San Francisco. The Ritz-Carlton was part of the Vance Group's portfolio. Securing a VIP room was effortless for Julian Evans.

A large round table dominated the room, capable of seating twenty to thirty people.

When Evelyn entered, over a dozen people were already seated.

They were all recent graduates. Conversation revolved around work.

The room fell silent the moment Evelyn and James walked in.

The men's eyes instantly focused on Evelyn.

In university, she had been the unattainable love, too aloof and distant to approach. Only Julian Evans could regularly converse with her. She was a legend in their class.

Evelyn was the goddess in many male students' hearts.

Seeing James enter with her, and him looking completely dazed, trailing behind her like a lost puppy, raised eyebrows. He only snapped out of it when she reached a seat, quickly pulling out her chair. "You... please, sit."

This was his direct superior, the company owner!

James's behavior caused a misunderstanding. Teasing comments flew.

"James, what's your relationship with Evelyn Ross?"

"How did you two arrive together? Spill it. What happened after graduation?"

James waved his hands in panic. "Don't talk nonsense!"

Him, in a scandal with Dr. Nan?

He wasn't worthy!

After saying this, James sat down next to Evelyn.

This chance to get closer to the boss was not to be missed.

A woman named Chloe Roland had been watching them since they entered. She had liked James during university. They were connected on WhatsApp and had been in frequent,暧昧 contact for the past two months.

Seeing James be so attentive to Evelyn made Chloe see red.

Her tone turned saccharine and sharp. "Evelyn Ross, I heard from Isabella Ashcroft that you still haven't found a job?"

Evelyn raised an eyebrow at her but remained silent.

Chloe continued, "No need to be embarrassed. With so many classmates here today, if you're still looking, we can help. Our receptionist just quit. We're hiring. Would you like to give it a try?"

Evelyn frowned.

James spoke up. "What nonsense are you spouting? How could Evelyn possibly work as a receptionist!"

Chloe sneered. "What? Looking down on receptionists? It's a legitimate job! Do you think it's easy?"

James tried to explain. "That's not what I meant. It's just not related to Evelyn's field of study."

"But if she hasn't found a job all this time, doesn't that mean her major skills are lacking? Evelyn Ross does have one advantage: she's beautiful. She could be the company's front. I'm only trying to help. It's been over two months since graduation. Doesn't Evelyn Ross have family responsibilities?"

Evelyn frowned coldly. "My affairs are none of your concern."

She knew being ostracized was inevitable at these gatherings.

When Isabella Ashcroft had transferred into their program, she had turned the other female students against Evelyn.

But today was Professor Lowell's birthday. He had been both a teacher and a father figure to her. She had to come.

Evelyn's icy demeanor shut Chloe up for a second, then angered her. She adopted a fake, hurt tone. "I overstepped. I was just worried, seeing you jobless for so long. Since you don't appreciate it, forget I said anything!"

Another male student, thinking Evelyn's attitude was too harsh, frowned. "We're all classmates. The words might not sound nice, but the intention is good. Evelyn Ross, no need to be so hostile, right?"

Chloe pretended to mediate. "Don't say that. I shouldn't have brought it up at a reunion. It's Evelyn Ross's private matter. It must be embarrassing for her. Evelyn Ross, if you're offended, I apologize."

The male student scoffed. "I just don't get it. Why can't we talk about it at a reunion? Isn't it the truth? Too proud to ask for help? Evelyn Ross, you shouldn't cling to虚无缥缈 things like pride. Being down-to-earth is better!"

Evelyn:?

Her gaze turned even colder. "Minding your own business is the best policy, don't you think?"

"You!"

The guy pointed at her, furious, but Chloe grabbed his arm. "Alright, alright, drop it. Let's change the subject."

The guy muttered, "Some people just can't recognize a good thing!"

Feeling victorious, Chloe smiled and shifted the topic. "Speaking of jobs, James here landed the best one! Do you all know who he works for?"

Curiosity sparked. "Who?"

Chloe looked directly at Evelyn. "Evelyn Ross, do you know?"

Evelyn:?

She didn't understand why she was being singled out. She took a sip of tea, glanced at James, and said slowly, "Not really."

Chloe immediately smiled triumphantly. "James didn't tell you? He works for Dr. Nan!"

The room erupted. Everyone stared at James, questions pouring out.

"Is Dr. Nan a man or a woman?"

"Must be a man. A scholarly, middle-aged gentleman!"

"Wow! James, have you met Dr. Nan in person? Can you get me an autograph?"

"My God! I have a classmate who works for Dr. Nan. It's so impressive to say that!"

"James, tell us about Dr. Nan!"

"Even if you can't share private details, what about your new research project?"

...

James had been growing impatient during the earlier mockery of Evelyn. Hearing this, he immediately looked at her. "Dr. Nan is far away in the horizon, yet right before your eyes."