The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 62

"Enjoy the evening."

It felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over Quinn's racing heart. Just then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of the text thread on Garrison's phone screen. The contact photo was unmistakable—it was Sloane.

Quinn secretly gritted her teeth. That woman had personally told her she was giving up on Garrison, so why was she still clinging to him?

Just then, a commotion broke out at the entrance of the banquet hall.

Dean Zachary Quinton's eyes lit up, and he laughed heartily. "Ah! Our Antarctic heroes have arrived!"

Everyone's attention shifted. A group walked in, carrying an air of rugged weariness mixed with vibrant energy. Dean Quinton stepped forward enthusiastically to introduce them.

"This is the leader of Project Deep Ice, Professor Harrison from the geology department at Northgate Institute of Technology!"

A man in his fifties with impeccably styled hair, gold-rimmed glasses, and a stern expression approached Garrison, giving a slight nod.

Garrison extended his hand with respectful politeness, shaking the professor's hand.

"Professor Harrison, I'm Garrison Foster, the head of the Project Vitas team."

"Dr. Foster, I've heard great things about you. You're a pride to the medical community."

Right behind him, a younger man stepped forward. He wore a sharply tailored casual suit that highlighted his tall build and handsome features. However, his face was devoid of a smile, his expression polite but distinctly aloof.

"This is Professor Harrison's star pupil and a core member of the expedition team, Josh Jace," Dean Quinton introduced.

Quinn smiled politely along with the crowd, shaking hands with Professor Harrison, Josh, and Coach Jensen as they passed.

Professor Harrison had also brought his wife, Abigail, and their five-year-old daughter, Tilly. The little girl was adorably chubby and dressed in a pretty princess gown.

Just then, Dean Quinton glanced around and asked with a smile, "Professor, I remember the roster listing five team members. Including the logistics officer in Argentina, that's only four. There's one more... I recall it being a female member?"

Professor Harrison chuckled softly and pointed toward a small stage at the side of the hall.

"Good memory, Dean! There is indeed one more. She's our diver and... well, a special talent." He deliberately paused for suspense. "Since tonight is a gathering of our two elite teams, we prepared a little performance to show our appreciation."

As soon as he finished speaking, the main lights in the banquet hall slowly dimmed, leaving only a few soft spotlights. The background music had faded away unnoticed. Under the curious gaze of the crowd, a figure stepped slowly from the shadows at the side of the stage.