Chapter 9: Rekindling the Forgotten Flame
(Vivian's POV)
I was startled by a familiar voice calling my name. Looking up, I found myself face to face with Professor Elias Thorne, my former mentor. He stood before me in a tailored black suit, his hair neatly combed back, appearing as if he'd just come from an important meeting.
Despite the added wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and the slight graying of his once dark hair, his presence evoked an immediate sense of nostalgia. It transported me back to the workshops and laboratories of Northwood University, where I'd spent countless hours under his guidance.
"How have you been all these years, Vivian?" he asked, his tone carrying genuine concern.
His simple question pierced through my carefully constructed facade. The warmth and s
