From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 65

"Professor Thorne, Lydia joined my institute today. She's returning to the semiconductor field and won't disappoint you again. Right, Lydia?" Harrison spoke up on her behalf.

She looked at Silas with desperate hope, her hands gripping the strap of her purse so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Now that he knew she was back, would he... finally forgive her?

"What does that have to do with me?"

Hearing Silas's freezing reply, Lydia lowered her eyes in devastation. "Harrison, I'm not hungry anymore. I won't interrupt your lunch."

Just as she turned to leave.

"Sister, what are you doing here?" A familiar voice rang out.

Sierra walked over, her arm linked affectionately with Frederick's. He was dressed in an immaculate tailored suit, and she wore a soft, elegant dress in matching charcoal tones. They looked perfectly suited for each other.

She and Sierra had been at each other's throats since childhood.

After Sierra's vicious attack last night, her disgust for the woman had only deepened.

Too exhausted to deal with her, Lydia tried to walk away, but Sierra blocked the doorway.

"Oh, I get it." Sierra swept a mocking gaze over them. "You want to beg Professor Thorne to take you on as a student so you can get into his research institute."

"With your level of talent..." She let out a scoff. "You actually have the nerve?"

Harrison frowned, opening his mouth to defend her, but a voice from inside the room beat him to it.

"Who's out there?" It was Silas.

Frederick led Sierra into the room.

As they brushed past each other, his gaze lingered on Lydia's cheek for a fraction of a second before he looked away.

Several university professors trailed in behind them.

"Professor Thorne, let me introduce you. This is the CEO of The Foster Group," one of the professors announced. "Mr. Foster is planning to donate two new buildings and a massive research grant to our university. Didn't you mention your institute was facing a funding shortage recently? I immediately thought of you for this incredible opportunity."

Frederick leaned down slightly, extending a polite hand toward Silas.

Ever since she had returned to Averton, she had only seen people tripping over themselves to flatter him. She had never seen him bow his head to anyone, not even to Charles; he always carried himself with icy arrogance.

And now, for Sierra, he was not only throwing money and resources around, but he was literally bending his spine.

Silas's weathered hand shook Frederick's. "Mr. Foster? We met at the symposium a few days ago, didn't we?"

"Your lecture was extraordinary. I learned a great deal," Frederick exchanged pleasantries smoothly. "Professor Thorne, I have a presumptuous request. I was hoping you might accept my wife's sister as your student."

"She has been brilliant and eager to learn since she was a child. She's also a student here at the university, with outstanding grades."

His wife's sister?

No wonder he refused to sign the divorce papers. Playing the devoted brother-in-law to his little sister-in-law—it was thrilling for him and perfectly shut down the public gossip.

Silas's lips curved slightly, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepening. Was he actually going to agree?

Silas wore a faded suit, living so frugally that he poured all his own money into subsidizing his students. And in scientific research, funding was everything. He had absolutely no reason to refuse.

Sierra stepped forward eagerly, taking Silas's hand from Frederick's.

Lydia lost all interest in listening. She whispered to Harrison, "I'm going to head out."

Sierra's voice drifted over. "Professor, you are my absolute idol. If I could be your student, it would be the honor of a lifetime. I will dedicate my entire life to research, and I promise I will never quit halfway!"

Hearing the words 'quit halfway', a sharp sting pierced Lydia's heart.

"As long as you produce results and prove yourself, he will welcome you back with open arms."

She felt a renewed surge of determination. "I will!"

"Harrison, you don't need to walk me any further. Don't keep Professor Thorne waiting. I'll grab a cab back."

"Alright, be careful."

The moment she stepped outside, footsteps echoed behind her. She turned and saw Frederick. The memory of last night crashed into her mind. She was still terrified and had zero desire to see him. As he closed the distance, she quickly ducked into a nearby empty room and shut the door.

A knock sounded against the wood.

"Tonight, I'll have the bodyguards pick you up and bring you home." His voice was flat, devoid of emotion, showing absolutely no intention of apologizing.

After everything that had happened, after what he had done to her last night, how could he possibly think she would ever go back?

Remembering that she only had two more days to endure before she could sever ties with him forever, she swallowed her anger. "My mother is being discharged from the hospital today. I want to stay with her for a couple of days."

Taking her response as a compromise, his tone softened slightly. "I'll come over."

She couldn't care less if he came or not.

Hearing his retreating footsteps, she finally let out a breath of relief.

Suddenly, an arm shot past her shoulder, slamming a hand flat against the door. With barely an inch of space between them, a dangerous, burning heat coiled around her.

She let out a terrified gasp, spinning around to meet Xavier's deep, predatory gaze.

"What is it?"

Outside, Frederick paused, turned back, and pushed the door open.