Chapter 250: Clara Whitmore Was Dragged into an All-nighter by the Eccentric Professor

Clara Whitmore was dragged into an all-nighter by the eccentric professor. The clatter of keyboards echoed through the lab all night.

"Done!" Thomas Avery stretched his arms. "Final exam question bank and answer keys are complete."

Clara rubbed her dark circles. "Professor, karma will catch up with you."

She managed less than an hour of sleep before jolting awake. When her 8 AM alarm blared, she grabbed her coat and sprinted to the lab.

Elias Mercer was calibrating equipment when she arrived thirty minutes late, exhaustion written across her face. "No rest last night?"

"All-night coding session." She massaged her temples.

Elias didn't pry, simply handing her a black coffee.

She downed the bitter liquid, forcing herself to focus.

After lunch, her eyelids grew heavy.

"Take a nap in the lounge." Elias closed her laptop.

This time, she didn't argue.

Two hours later, Elias knocked on the lounge door. No response.

He eased it open to find Clara curled on the sofa. Strands of hair framed her face as she breathed deeply in sleep.

Elias lingered in the doorway before quietly shutting it.

Like a dozing kitten.

* * *

Paige Lawson yanked the hospital curtains with a violent rattle.

"Discharge me!" She hurled a pillow at her nurse.

Grant Holloway hung up without responding. Catherine Holloway's scolding exploded through the receiver: "Keep this up and you'll stay until delivery!"

After tense negotiations, Catherine reluctantly agreed to home care—with round-the-clock monitoring by a private physician.

The staff at the villa collectively groaned at the sound of approaching tires.

Mrs. Palmer bolted upright from her nap in the storage room. "My afternoon rest!"

The doctor handed Paige a strict schedule and bland meal plan the moment she stepped inside. She flung her chopsticks at the insipid menu.

"I'm going shopping!" She kicked open the car door and stormed into the mall.

Two attendants trailed behind, arms laden with a dozen shopping bags. Luxury-brand logos dazzled passersby.

"Keep following me!" Paige swiped her card for another designer handbag.

In the boardroom, Grant's phone vibrated incessantly. The CFO's presentation halted as purchase alerts flooded the screen.

He glanced at the totals, expressionless, and powered off the device.