She Quit Her Family and Found Herself novel Chapter 173

In her mind, since the divorce was finalized, they were nothing more than strangers.

The only reason she hadn't completely blocked Herbert and the rest of the Jewell family was because of Miles. Even though she had given up custody, she was still legally the boy's biological mother.

She could detach herself emotionally, but she couldn't entirely abandon the child in a literal sense.

Because she had stayed late, by the time Hulda arrived at the team dinner, everyone else was already waiting for her.

The dinner was held in a Chinese-style restaurant featuring an elegant courtyard. The institute had reserved the entire main floor, along with a few private rooms.

Accompanied by Abby, Hulda first gave a brief speech to the colleagues in the main hall on behalf of Dr. Lowe. After that, she and Abby headed into one of the private dining rooms.

Inside, Harvey Dalton, Dr. Lynch, and a few others were seated, clearly waiting for her arrival.

"Apologies for keeping you all waiting," Hulda said with an apologetic smile as she walked in. "Please, you could have started without me."

"Not at all, we aren't hungry yet," Harvey replied with a grin, eagerly pulling out the empty chair at the head of the table for her.

"Thank you, Mr. Dalton," Hulda said politely, taking her seat.

No sooner had she sat down than a man's voice rang out right beside her. "Everyone's here. Serve the food."

The familiar voice made Hulda freeze. She turned her head, instantly meeting the eyes of Caspian Sterling. Even with a faint smile playing on his lips, he managed to look impossibly arrogant and aloof.

"You..." Hulda stared at the man seated directly next to her, her eyes wide with shock.

Why was this man at an internal institute dinner?

Harvey noticed her confusion and quickly chimed in. "Director Atherton, Mr. Sterling is the investor representative for our joint laboratory."

Her mentor and Brandon must have known about this. Why didn't they tell her?

The atmosphere in the private room shifted, growing slightly tense as everyone picked up on her sudden change in mood.

Just then, the waiters opened the doors, breaking the tension as they began setting dishes on the table.

Caspian leaned slightly toward her and whispered, "Eat first. We'll deal with the rest later."

Hulda snapped back to reality, realizing everyone at the table was watching her.

She took a deep breath, forcing a polite smile. "Let's eat, everyone."

Meanwhile, in a private room right next door, Herbert was attending a business dinner with Justin Jameson. Normally disciplined with his alcohol, Herbert was drinking with reckless abandon tonight.