Chapter 316: Sloane Bennett Rubbed Her Nose

"Clara...thanks again for getting me home last time." Sloane Bennett rubbed her nose, cheeks tinged pink. "I heard I made quite a scene when drunk?"

Even the tips of her ears turned rosy at the memory of that embarrassing night.

"Blame my mom for forcing me to attend that elite cocktail party. It was clearly a disguised matchmaking event."

Those so-called promising young men were nothing more than commodities with price tags in her eyes.

Miriam Caldwell was perfect in every way—except for being stubbornly opinionated.

She kept preaching about how only well-matched marriages brought happiness, how love would eventually lose to mundane realities...

Sloane felt her ears would grow calluses from hearing it.

After returning home, she confronted her mother directly. She'd agree to the "well-matched" condition—but only if she got to choose the candidate herself.

In exchange, Miriam had to stop arranging any blind dates without permission.

Clara arched a brow. "You're choosing?"

"Exactly. As long as they're from acceptable families, Mom will agree." Sloane smirked slyly. "Easy enough—just pick someone from our circle!"

"You're seriously considering this?"

Clara looked surprised.

Sloane had a soft spot for obedient, puppy-like younger men. But among their circle's young masters...

Plenty were young enough, but willing to lower themselves to pamper her?

Nearly impossible.

These silver-spoon-fed heirs would never humble themselves to please others.

Sloane lowered her voice mysteriously. "Of course I'm picking—how else to deal with Mom? But not for romance. A business partner."

"Business partner?"

"Mhm. I'm not the only one getting pressured to marry in our circle." She winked. "Since none of us want arranged matches, why not cover for each other?"

"How would that work?"

"Put on an act in public, live separately in private."

It would silence their elders while letting them keep their freedom. Two birds with one stone.

Clara still advised caution.

Sloane waved it off. "Don't worry, I've got this."

When the bill came, Clara paid while Sloane was freshening up.

"I said it's my treat!" Sloane pouted in protest.

Clara smiled. "Can't let you pay every time. Money's no issue for me now."

"Oh right, you're practically a millionaire now."

She reached to pinch Clara's cheek.

"Stop—that hurts!" Clara dodged. "We're in public. Maintain some dignity."

Laughing, they headed for the exit.

"Professor Bennett, a moment please."

A voice made them both pause.

A group emerged from the second-floor private dining room—mostly middle-aged, a few silver-haired, all dressed in academic attire.

The young man at their center stood out strikingly.

Tall and poised, with refined features, he was a vivid contrast to the portly scholars around him.

"Professor Bennett, we'd appreciate your guidance on the new research topic."

"Our lab's equipment procurement..."

"The project proposal..."

They clamored around him.

Elias Mercer responded politely, though fatigue showed between his brows. Then his gaze swept across the lobby—and landed on the two young women.

His expression instantly brightened.

"My apologies, everyone. My sister is waiting. I must go."

Before they could react, he was already striding toward Clara and Sloane.