Sebastian said, “Get out.”
Zayden was speechless.
But by now, it was already too late. Serena’s gaze had completely changed.
Her large almond-shaped eyes were fixed on his bare skin, as if trying to pierce through the outer layer to examine the organs underneath.
And yet, under that blatantly clinical stare, Sebastian felt his body temperature rising uncontrollably. His blood turned hot and restless.
What the hell was happening?
The girl’s eyes were laced with something addictive. A slow-acting poison that made you itch, stir, and crave more.
His mouth suddenly felt dry. And just then, Serena asked in complete sincerity, “Are your internal organs really that good-looking?”
Sebastian, who could remain calm even if the world collapsed around him, shuddered for the first time in his life.
“They’re… average,” he said, trying to sound nonchalant. After a pause, as if worried about ruining his image in her eyes, he added, “If you’re really that curious, feel free to admire the packaging.”
What he meant was: please be content with my exterior—leave my insides alone, thanks.
Serena looked a little disappointed. She had studied anatomy. A man with such perfect body proportions likely had above-average organs too.
“If you ever need surgery, you can come to me,” she said. Then added, “Sometimes our massage clinic also removes hemorrhoids and such.”
Sebastian was speechless.
Serena only inserted a few needles to clear his meridians and help detox his body. When she walked out of the school nurse’s office, Kelly was still waiting outside.
“What were you doing in there with that man for so long?” Her eyes gleamed with something filthy and vile. “Drop the tricks. In real high society, it’s about family and education. Someone like you? At best, he’s just playing with you.”
Did she really think upper-class heirs were just like horny nerds, thinking with their lower halves? Only bumpkins with no class could be that shallow. In elite circles, substance mattered.
A man like that might have fun with her for now, but long term? Never.
Serena showed no reaction. She popped a lollipop in her mouth.
That only further triggered Kelly, making her voice rise with excitement. “You think snagging a Hayes Corp guest will give you a shortcut into their ranks?”
That afternoon, Taylor hosted the first seminar for the Advanced Research Team. Everyone showed up—except Serena.
“Indigo, where’s Serena?” Jeremy asked the boy playing games in the corner.
Indigo looked up and answered, “She left the second the school bell rang.”
The group was speechless. They could barely hold back their frustration.
“If she’s not serious about research, she shouldn’t even be here. Maybe we’d make better progress without her!”
“And if we actually accomplish something, is she still going to take credit?”
Murmurs of complaint spread among the group.
Indigo glanced at them. Research for the Horizon Institute wasn’t some child’s game. There were over a hundred Advanced Research Teams across the country—if even one or two of them advanced a project, it would be national news.
What the hell are you all thinking? You think doing research is as easy as shooting fish in a barrel?
Taylor walked into the seminar room and said, “Don’t worry. This Advanced Research Team will not let anyone sit back and profit off your work. Just focus on the research.”

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