Chapter 428: Gasps Rippled Through the Lecture Hall

"Oh my god..."

Gasps rippled through the lecture hall.

"Elias Mercer? The physicist Elias Mercer?"

"Duh! Is there another Elias Mercer at Ashford University?"

"..."

"Help! He's substituting our class? That face should be illegal!"

Everyone appreciates beauty.

Faced with such striking features, no one could resist stealing a second glance.

Clara Whitmore was spacing out when she suddenly found the professor oddly familiar.

"Wait! Isn't that the hottie who stopped you outside the cafeteria last time?"

"Mhm."

"Holy crap! That's Elias Mercer?"

Clara frowned. "Didn't you see him during your interview? He was on the panel."

"Huh?" Maya Torres scratched her head. "No, I only remember Professor Lenora Voss."

"Strange... Lenora wasn't there during my interview... Morning or afternoon session?"

"Afternoon."

"That explains it. I interviewed in the morning."

"I see..."

A realization struck Clara, her eyes narrowing.

She remembered Victoria Holloway also interviewed in the afternoon—and had specifically asked about the questions.

Lenora had been absent in the morning but appeared in the afternoon...

Plus the recent rumor about Lenora's team purchasing an expensive CPRT Analyzer out of pocket.

The truth about Victoria joining the research group became crystal clear.

Hah... A walking ATM.

On the podium, Elias finished brief introductions and prepared to begin.

His light gray dress shirt accentuated his lean frame, while gold-rimmed glasses softened his sharp gaze.

He exuded an air of refined elegance.

"Professor, may I ask something?"

A student suddenly raised their hand.

Elias nodded permission.

"You're brilliant, but you're from Physics. Can you really teach Bioinformatics well?"

He adjusted his glasses. "First, my undergraduate degree was in Applied Life Sciences. Second, the registrar evaluates faculty qualifications before assigning substitutes."

A slight smile curved his lips. "Rest assured, I'm thoroughly qualified."

The class erupted in laughter.

Even Clara's lips twitched upward.

Elias continued, "As graduate students, you should focus on developing research thinking. That mindset transcends disciplines."

"Professor! Do you have a girlfriend?"

The inevitable question arrived.

Elias remained unflustered. "Too many questions delay progress. Today we'll cover big data applications in Bioinformatics..."

The lecture proved substantial and engaging.

When the bell rang, Elias promptly closed his notes.

"Class dismissed."

He grabbed his briefcase and strode out without ceremony.

"Damn! That abrupt?"

Maya gaped.

Clara quickly packed her bag. "Maya, I've got to go."

"Okay...?"

Before Maya could finish, Clara had bolted from the room.

Maya blinked in confusion. Since when did Clara move so fast?

Clara sprinted down the path, finally intercepting Elias beneath the tree-lined walkway.