Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding novel Chapter 525

Raelynn considered it for a moment. "I worked hard on it, but the results are never guaranteed. There's always a chance I get cut."

"Professor Ortiz, you're on track to become the youngest tenured professor in history. Stop messing with me," Sierra muttered, completely refusing to buy into Raelynn's modesty.

Raelynn let out a soft laugh. "It's always safer to keep your expectations low in this world."

That was how she always operated.

Sometimes, being too arrogant only earned you a brutal reality check.

Just then.

The sound of heavy, measured footsteps approached from behind.

Raelynn casually glanced over her shoulder.

Her eyes collided straight with Sebastian's dark gaze.

He was walking right behind her, his long strides unhurried, maintaining a deliberate three-pace distance.

Seraphina and the rest of his entourage flanked him.

They had clearly overheard the entire exchange.

Seraphina offered a covert, mocking smirk.

There were always people who tried to dress up their own incompetence with pretty, humble words.

It just meant Raelynn knew exactly how pathetic her work actually was.

Leo Flynn, however, couldn't help but glance at Raelynn. He let out a low cough and rubbed the bridge of his nose awkwardly.

It was one of the rare times Raelynn didn't bother to throw a biting remark his way.

Her utter disgust was plastered clearly across her face.

She grabbed Sierra's arm and picked up her pace, distancing herself from the group.

The grand conference hall was massive, easily seating over a hundred people. The center was dominated by a sprawling circular table, leaving plenty of empty space to create distance between the factions.

Raelynn belonged to the Kingsford University research division. Each participating university was assigned to a specific quadrant. Sitting at the very front were the department heads, government officials, and the absolute titans of the medical field. The back rows were reserved for the elite corporate executives whose companies were funding this national strategic initiative.

Gathering this many heavyweights in one room was a testament to just how monumental this project was.

Raelynn spotted Dr. Evelyn Hayes standing near the front, deep in conversation with Professor Alistair Finch.

Just looking at this room made Raelynn's stomach tie into knots.

It was suffocatingly formal and serious. She was only twenty-seven; all she could do was quietly take deep, grounding breaths.

"I really have to thank you for setting up the show for me," she beamed.

"And I have to thank Sebastian for being such good friends with Professor Robert. Without that connection, Leo Lombardi would have never guided me so closely."

Leo Flynn paused for a second, then chuckled. "It was nothing."

Speaking of the show.

Seraphina turned her eyes toward Sebastian, who hadn't said a word. She looked at him with overflowing adoration and seized the moment. "Sebastian, if I take the top spot today, would you be willing to come on the show with me?"

Her question hung in the air.

Julian snapped his head toward her, his brows pulling together in a tight frown.

He knew exactly what kind of trap she was laying.

If she publicly claimed a massive academic victory and Sebastian walked onto that reality show set right beside her, it would force the Croix family into a corner. It was a blatant declaration of love—a televised demand for a marriage proposal.

Even Leo Flynn gave Sebastian a subtle, searching look before smiling smoothly. "If you sweep the competition today, I'm sure Sebastian will definitely consider it."

Sebastian slowly lifted his eyes.

Meeting Seraphina's desperate, hopeful gaze, he answered with chilling nonchalance. "Sure."