Better Late, But Never His Again novel Chapter 64

Queenie's eyes were red, but she smiled and patted Hazel's hand. "Go on, then."

Hazel stood up, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open.

Assistant Alden was still waiting patiently. Seeing her emerge, he offered another slight bow.

The eyes of everyone in the hallway snapped to her. Evelyn stood frozen, her nails still biting into her palms. She kept a painfully stiff smile plastered on her face, but her eyes were dark with venom.

Hazel walked right up to Alden. "I'll go with you. But only for three months. No matter where the project stands at the end of that period, I'm coming back here."

Alden's eyes narrowed slightly, then crinkled in amusement. "I'm afraid you'll have to discuss those terms directly with Mr. Thornton, Dr. Garrison."

He stepped aside and gestured toward the exit.

Hazel blinked. "Right now? I still need to pack my things."

Alden's tone was impeccably polite, yet entirely unyielding. "Mr. Thornton has already prepared all the necessary equipment and supplies for you. There's no need to bring anything."

Hazel frowned, shaking her head stubbornly. "No, there are files I need to take. Besides, Mr. Thornton surely wants more than just me sitting at a desk."

Alden studied her for two seconds, then pulled out his phone and made a call. "Mr. Thornton, Dr. Garrison insists on retrieving some of her materials. Yes, she says it's absolutely necessary. Understood."

Hanging up, he looked at Hazel with a touch more deference. "Mr. Thornton says, as you wish."

Hazel nodded and headed back to her desk to pack.

She didn't have much—a few textbooks, a stack of experimental data, and some scattered notes. She slid them neatly into her bag.

The door pushed open. Assuming it was Queenie, Hazel didn't look up. "Don't worry, Professor, I'll take good care of myself."

She opened the door and walked out. Alden was still waiting in the corridor.

Seeing her, he stepped aside and guided her toward the exit.

Evelyn was left standing in the room, her face alternating between stark white and furious red. She clenched her fists so hard her nails almost broke the skin.

As Hazel stepped out of the Institute, a sleek Rolls-Royce was idling at the curb. Alden opened the door for her, and she slid into the back seat. The car glided smoothly out of the parking lot.

Leaning back against the leather seats, she watched the familiar building shrink in the distance. Suddenly, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Julian.

"Honey, where did you go?"

Hazel let out a cold laugh. His timing was absolutely impeccable.