Falling for the Goddess

Why Are You Looking at Sara's Photo

Sara Hart leaned against the hallway, taking a breath. She wasn’t used to environments like these, but this project was hers, and there would only be more occasions like this in the future, not fewer.

Occasionally, a man in a suit would stumble past her, unsteady on his feet, or some tipsy individual would glance back at her with an uncomfortable stare. Sara Hart straightened up and headed towards the restroom.

"Hey, did you hear the guy in that private room is the one in charge of the Thorne family?"

"Yeah, you hardly ever see him. We’re lucky tonight, all thanks to Mr. Smith. But don’t even think about getting too close to those types; they wouldn't even look at us."

"Why not?"

"That guy never mingles at these dinners, and besides, with his status, just one look from him could make your knees weak. Better stay in your lane."

By the sink, two women in tight bodycon dresses were touching up their makeup, casually gossiping as they reapplied their lipstick and powder.

Sara Hart stepped out of the stall, catching their attention for a brief second before they went back to their conversation. She quietly washed and dried her hands without glancing in their direction.

As she made her way to the door, she could still hear one of the women speaking in a sugary voice, "Such a shame. A face like that, and a body like his - way better than the usual potbellied businessmen around here. But he’s out of our league..."

Sara Hart made her way back to the private room out of politeness, even though she wanted to leave.

Inside, Richard Smith and James Lim were already a bit red in the face from drinking.

Sara Hart glanced at the time - it was already 9 PM.

James Lim reached for the wine bottle, but his hand wobbled, spilling some of the alcohol as he shakily raised his glass to Richard Smith. "Mr. Smith... to a successful... partnership..."

Richard Smith chuckled and raised his own glass. "James Lim, your drinking skills need some work!"

"Heh heh..." James Lim gave a dazed laugh.

Seeing that both men were nearing their limit, David Baker stepped in. "I think we’ve had enough for tonight. How about we wrap this up and get together another time?"

"Sure, we’ll be in touch," Richard Smith slurred.

Sara Hart noticed James Lim was struggling to stand steadily, so she offered her arm to help him. James Lim had driven them here, but now Sara Hart would have to drive back.

As they left the private room, a group of sharply dressed men passed by.

At the front of the group was a tall, handsome man in a black suit, his chiseled features cold and sharp, exuding a powerful aura. As they walked past, his gaze momentarily landed on Sara Hart, pausing briefly with an expressionless coolness.

Sensing something, Sara Hart looked up, but the man had already moved on.

"Let’s go," David Baker said.

The three of them headed towards the exit.

After getting into the car, Sara Hart buckled her seatbelt and glanced at James Lim. "James, are you alright?"

James Lim straightened up, the dazed look in his eyes completely gone. He smiled. "I’m fine."

Sara Hart blinked, realizing he had only pretended to be drunk earlier.

David Baker, sitting in the back, wasn’t surprised. He had been through this routine many times before. As a professor, he knew he had to look out for his students, even if it meant attending these kinds of dinners. Running a large lab required funding, and to continue their research, certain things couldn’t be avoided.

"I’ll drop you off first, Professor Baker, then I’ll take James Lim home," Sara Hart said.

James Lim waved it off. "Sara, drop off Professor Baker first. I live just around the corner from the next intersection. I can walk the rest of the way."

David Baker huffed from the backseat. "Sara, drop James off first. He lives closer, and you can take my car home afterward."

He wasn’t an unreasonable teacher. James Lim had been drinking - there was no way he would let him walk home.

Sara Hart glanced at David Baker, who seemed a bit displeased, and smiled. "Alright, then."

James Lim didn’t argue further. He knew David Baker was kind and didn’t want to push his luck.

James Lim lived in a nearby residential area, just a short drive away. Sara Hart remembered the route from when James Lim had invited their lab over for dinner after moving into his new place.

She parked the car at the entrance of the residential area. James Lim unbuckled his seatbelt and said his goodbyes. "Professor Baker, I’ll head in now. Junior, drive safe."

David Baker nodded.

Sara Hart waved. "Got it."

Once James Lim disappeared inside, Sara Hart turned the car around and merged back into traffic.

As they drove, David Baker broke the silence. "Sara Hart, I heard from Professor Lee that you were injured recently. Are you alright now?"

"It was just a minor burn. I’m almost fully recovered now."

"That’s good. You should come by my house for dinner sometime. My wife’s been asking about you for days."

"Alright," Sara Hart said with a smile.

She had been working under David Baker since her undergraduate years, and after graduation, she had continued on in his research group as a PhD student. David Baker was a great mentor, both academically and personally. He had always looked out for his students, and since Sara Hart was his last recruit and exceptionally talented, he had a soft spot for her.

Sara Hart drove them back to the university. Although David Baker had an apartment off-campus, he and his wife preferred living in the faculty housing during the school year, only returning to their off-campus home during holidays.

She parked the car outside the faculty dorms and unbuckled her seatbelt, getting ready to leave.

"Sara Hart, take the car back home. It’s too late for a girl to be walking around alone," David Baker said.

"I live just next to the campus. It’s only a few minutes' walk. Don’t worry, Professor Baker."

"Alright, but be careful."

"Will do. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Sara Hart left the dorms and walked toward the campus gate, her mind buzzing with plans. She had her own reasons for wanting to walk.

She had been staying at the villa lately, and every morning, Adrian Blake would drive her to school. That brief time in the car was the rare moment they could spend together, and she wasn’t about to give up that opportunity.

At the gate, she hailed a taxi.

---

At the private club Meisi, on the third floor in an exclusive private room, a group of men lounged lazily around.

Lucas Graves was the most exaggerated of them all, sprawled out on the sofa like he had no bones left in his body. Taking a sip of his drink, he couldn’t help but complain, "This networking stuff is exhausting. I’m really only suited to be in a hospital…"

It had only been one day, but he was wiped out - more tired than he was after performing surgeries.

Eric Thorne chuckled. "What’s the matter? Can’t handle it already? Even if you want to slack off, do you think your sister will let you?"

Lucas Graves instantly deflated like a popped balloon. "I just don’t get it. She’s been running the company just fine - why does she insist that I take over? I wouldn’t care if she inherited the whole thing!"

Noah Ashford shot him a glance, his narrow eyes glinting slightly. "If everyone thought like you and your sister, the world would be a lot simpler."

Lucas Graves thought about the mess in the Ashford family and shuddered. Compared to that, his family was blissfully peaceful.

"Alright, alright, let’s drop it."

Ever since they entered the room, Adrian Blake had barely spoken, which wasn’t unusual. Everyone was used to his silence. But Lucas Graves was never one to give up, always trying to dig out some gossip. He sidled up to Adrian Blake, asking with a grin, "Hey, Adrian, aren’t you going back to your home tonight? Won’t it be a problem if you’re late?"

Eric Thorne and Noah Ashford exchanged knowing looks, enjoying the show. They were used to Lucas Graves's big mouth, and if he pissed Adrian Blake off, he’d be the one to suffer. But honestly, they wouldn’t mind hearing some juicy details themselves.

Adrian Blake shot Lucas Graves a cold look. "You must be awfully free lately. Maybe the CEO hasn’t given you enough work?"

"Hey now, let’s not bring my sister into this, alright? Just some friendly brotherly chat!"

Adrian Blake’s fingers drummed lightly on the side of his glass, but he didn’t respond.

Lucas Graves wisely retreated. "Fine, fine, I’ll stop asking."

Meanwhile, Eric Thorne, hearing Lucas Graves mention Adrian Blake’s new marriage again, pulled out his phone and opened the photo Lucas Graves had sent to their group chat earlier. He zoomed in for a closer look.

Lucas Graves caught sight of him from across the room and practically jumped off the couch, exclaiming, "Adrian! Why are you looking at Sara’s photo?"

Suddenly, Adrian Blake and Noah Ashford both turned to look.