Professor Polk had maintained a polite, professional demeanor while chatting with them, but the moment the mysterious associate professor was mentioned, his face positively lit up with enthusiasm.
He clearly held immense admiration for this person.
This only fueled Seraphina's curiosity.
She wanted to network with absolutely everyone of importance today. If this person could command such blatant respect from Professor Polk, they had to be brilliant. Making that connection would only benefit her.
Sebastian instinctively followed Polk's gaze across the room.
Just then.
A voice rang out near the entrance.
"Chairwoman Hayes has arrived."
Professor Polk instantly retracted his gaze and looked toward the doors. Seraphina was slightly disappointed she hadn't spotted the associate professor, but she immediately perked up at the arrival of Dr. Evelyn Hayes.
Sebastian didn't move.
His eyes remained locked on the exact spot Professor Polk had been looking at.
In the southeast corner, amidst the shifting crowd, he caught a glimpse of a familiar, slender silhouette.
Raelynn was sitting right there.
Seraphina gently touched his arm. "Seb, let's go greet Dr. Hayes."
Sebastian slowly withdrew his gaze.
Seraphina replayed Blanche's advice in her head: she needed to forge a strong bond with the Yves family at all costs.
Seeing Dr. Hayes approaching, she painted on her most elegant, respectful smile. "Dr. Hayes..."
Dr. Hayes seemed to look right through her, brushing past the moment Seraphina opened her mouth.
She didn't stop for her.
Seraphina's perfect smile froze on her face.
She turned to watch where the older woman was going.
Her expression instantly darkened.
Dr. Hayes was walking straight toward... Raelynn.
With her unparalleled status, Dr. Hayes could have effortlessly blacklisted Raelynn from the entire medical industry with a single phone call.
"Dr. Hayes seems incredibly forgiving toward Raelynn," Seraphina muttered, a knot of unease tightening in her chest. Her face looked grim.
Julian knew his grandmother was fiercely principled about separating work from family.
But he was just as baffled.
It seemed his grandmother shared the same inexplicable... sympathy for Raelynn that he did?
It was bizarre.
"The issue lies with Ian Hudson. Dr. Hayes sees the board clearly," Sebastian remarked in a calm, flat tone.
Julian couldn't argue with that logic.
Speaking of family drama, Julian scanned the room. "Mr. Flynn Sr. has heavy connections in this circle. Why isn't Leo Flynn here today?"
At the mention of Leo,
Seraphina's face twitched unnaturally. "Leo is grounded by his family."

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding
I think for as slow as the beginning was, their turning point is just so fast... really hope we actually get to read about R and S and their rekindle.... we did not read 950 pages for their story to be sidelined. Im for this sideline story, but it if it's to separate from the main characters and their story, please make it separate book....
Author please update more chapters...
I really like Zella, she is becoming a good friend to Raelynn. Ian needs to go. The relationship with Chloe is confusing. Some chapters they are cousins, sometimes they're sibling. A little confusing....
Julians role as big brother- I feel comes from a genuine place, but in a relationship thats is just as stained as Raelynns and Sebastians. It hard for me to connect to his big brother role as he too was such a problem before. And while they talked a little bit, the conversation did not give me the believe there was resolution between Raelynn and Julian. For a brute, he should make his feelings clear about the situation to Raelynn and then step back, until there is more foundation for him to stand on....
Knife in my heart. I hurt for Raelynn. She has made it this far, but how much does she have in her, everyone has a breaking point. Some back of me hopes the author is joking to lighten the mood after so many intense chapters, but thats not this kind of story or couple....
My heart cannot take this. This, cannot be how it ends with these too. They need resolution with each other. Raelynn needs to be more humanize with Sebastian. We know she is hurt, but this is the branch. She needs all these answers, if not for them to be together, then for Lily to have both her parents. Stop with the mind games Raelynn!...
Its like the story is just repeating itself...
Timeline is getting lost for me. So many treasured little memories Raelynn has but yet, he was gone for years ? Anyways... still rooting for them! These two need a heart to heart. Lily "forgetting" someone, not possible in this day and age and I hope thats not their storyline....
Sebastian, the man of few words.... needs to find all the words! Needs to fight for her! On note, seven years seems like a long time for this master plan (which I am sure goes back much farther). Rereading this novel, and it seems like everything has played out in a 5-8 month time span. And I feel like all Sebastian's doings/ plan have not been revealed. I hope we get to see the whole picture and have the resolutions we hope. But seven years of mistreatment, I just don't see Raelynn fully coming back. If these was 2-3 years, maybe, and I know it changes some characters around, but it would still work. Rooting for them!...
Literally on edge!...