Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 73

The organizers soon approached to escort him to his seat.

As a key sponsor, Lawrence was given the center seat in the front row.

Willow took the chair right beside him.

Wren's seat was in the VIP section on the right, next to Julian York and Phoebe.

Harrison snagged a spot in the row directly behind her.

As he sat down, he leaned forward and whispered, "You look stunning tonight."

Wren glanced back at him.

"Thank you."

Harrison flashed a quick smile and left it at that.

He was keeping his distance.

His restraint actually made Wren's guard soften.

But she knew sympathy wasn't the same as an invitation.

She turned her attention back to the index cards in her hands.

Julian looked over at her. "Nervous?"

"A little."

"Were you this nervous during your first public presentation in college?"

Wren froze.

"How do you know about my college presentation?"

Julian chuckled softly. "I watched the video of your thesis defense."

Wren was genuinely surprised. "You did?"

"Yeah," Julian replied smoothly. "Before Stellaris brought you on board, I did my homework."

A strange flutter tightened in Wren's chest.

In six years, Lawrence had never once asked about her thesis, let alone cared about her past achievements.

Yet Julian had gone out of his way to watch a video from so long ago.

"I must have looked so inexperienced back then," she mused.

"No," Julian said, his eyes on the empty stage, his tone warm. "You looked certain."

Certain.

Wren looked down at her notes.

She really used to be that kind of person.

In college, she was infamous in the biomedical engineering department for her relentless drive.

Her advisors praised her raw talent and her fierce refusal to fail.

She had secured a lab position by her junior year, worked on cardiac assist device prototypes by her senior year, and her master's thesis was even presented at an international conference.

Wren stood up.

At that exact moment, Lawrence looked up at her.

He suddenly recalled that youth medical pitch seven years ago.

Wren had stood up and walked toward the stage exactly like this.

Except back then, she had glanced back at him before stepping into the spotlight.

Looking for a spark of encouragement.

Today, she didn't even turn her head.

Wren walked straight to the podium, her notes in hand.

She stopped and looked out over the crowd.

The stage lights hit her, the deep green of her dress making her look like a fresh leaf blooming after a long, bitter winter.

Her voice rang out clear and strong.

"Hello everyone. I am Wren Whitaker."

She didn't introduce herself as Mrs. Langford.

She didn't claim to be anyone's wife.

She simply said:

I am Wren Whitaker.