Chapter 446: Elias Mercer Found Some Logic in These Words

"Only by proving your reliability will she lower her guard and willingly fall into your arms!"

"Understand?"

Elias Mercer found some logic in these words.

But one point troubled him.

Deliberately tripping for a kiss versus forcibly pinning someone down...

The former felt too staged.

The latter was outright harassment.

He believed such acts weren't expressions of love, but disrespect toward women.

Yes, utter disrespect!

Yet in his dream, he'd committed every one of these "disrespectful" acts.

Even asking shamelessly: "...Clara, does it feel good?"

Elias jolted awake, sitting upright in bed while clutching his head in frustration.

Like a child caught misbehaving.

Only after prolonged silence did his breathing steady.

He moved to the wardrobe, retrieving fresh boxer briefs...

Hadn't he recovered already?

Why again...

At dawn, Theo Marsh arrived early at the lab.

Having left unfinished data yesterday, he came to complete it today.

If Elias discovered this, the lecture would never end.

He'd set three alarms, dragging himself to the lab before sunrise.

"Holy shit! You're here?! It's your day off!"

His outburst betrayed his guilt.

Elias stood by the lab bench, lifting cold eyes. "So you didn't finish yesterday's data?"

Theo: "!"

Busted.

"Wait—why are you working on your day off? Professor, this is next-level dedication!"

Elias responded flatly: "I've processed two datasets for you. Unnecessary then?"

Theo instantly backpedaled: "Just kidding! Dedication's great! Marvelous!"

By noon, exhaustion drove Theo toward the lounge.

Passing Elias's slightly ajar door, he overheard a call:

"...Yes, sweet-glazed ribs... Two portions... Deliver to the lab before six..."

"Oho, who's bringing you meals? Girlfriend?" Theo pounced on the gossip.

Elias turned, presenting only the back of his head.

Lenora Voss hung up and dashed to the living room.

Snatching Walter Davenport's tea mid-sip.

She shook his shoulders excitedly:

"Two portions! Again two! Our son's seeing someone!"

Walter: "?"

"He ordered sweet ribs! Sweet! Know why?"

Walter: "...Stop shaking me..."

"It must be his girlfriend's preference! I'll cook it myself! Deliver personally!"

She stormed into the kitchen, upending the tea set in her wake.

Walter: "!" My Da Holly Pao!

Elias returned home with his mother's homecooked meal.

Grabbing medicated oil and cotton swabs, he knocked on the neighboring door—

Only to receive

No response.