Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

"You handle it," Flora said lazily.

Jules practically beamed. "Alright, alright, I'll take care of it."

Flora nodded. "If there's nothing else, I'll head back."

"Go on, go on," Jules replied cheerfully.

By the time Flora reached the cafeteria, Eilies and Cynthia had already gotten her meal ready.

Cynthia's curiosity got the better of her. "Flora, what did Dr. Jules want to talk about?"

"He wants me in the lab."

There was a loud clatter as the piece of fried chicken Cynthia had just picked up tumbled back onto her plate.

"You... what...?" Cynthia stammered.

"Are you saying Dr. Jules is letting you into the University of Maple Grove's medical lab?!" A voice from above cut in, high-pitched and incredulous, almost cracking with disbelief.

Flora glanced up to see a girl in a denim jacket standing opposite her, holding a tray. Flora didn't recognize her, and the girl's intense gaze made her uncomfortable. She quickly looked away and resumed eating.

"Did Dr. Jules really say you could join the lab?"

When Flora didn't answer, the girl's expression grew more desperate, her tone turning confrontational, almost accusatory.

"None of your business," Flora said, putting down her fork and knitting her brows in annoyance.

"Flora, there's no need to be rude! Libby was just curious!" Cynthia chimed in, her voice tinged with irritation.

"Curious? To someone who didn't know better, it sounded like Libby was conducting an interrogation," Cynthia said with a snort, clearly upset by Libby's attitude.

Libby? The name rang a bell for Flora. She remembered now-Libby was the top student in the medical department. All the teachers praised her, and Mr. Trevor had even suggested she could help if Flora ever needed it.

Libby realized she had overreacted but couldn't calm down. Her dream was to join the lab in five years, so she had been working tirelessly since the start of her studies, earning praise from all her professors. But why Flora?

Since the semester began, how many classes had Flora actually attended? And she was just a freshman. Why would she be allowed into the lab?

Flora's annoyance was palpable, and it was clear to anyone nearby. Libby's friends quickly pulled her away, knowing Flora's anger was something to avoid.

"Libby, don't bother with her; she's probably just making it up."

"Yeah, in the hundred-year history of the University of Maple Grove, I've never heard of a freshman getting into the lab."

"Your grades are the best in the medical department. If Dr. Jules were to choose any freshman, it would be you."

They only dared to whisper these things once they were a safe distance away.

Hearing their words, Libby's expression softened slightly, but she was still upset. Dr. Jules's behavior towards Flora today was indeed strange, suggesting a very close relationship between them. Flora, Cynthia, and Eilies didn't give Libby another thought. After finishing their meals, they headed back to their dorm.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

A piece of news exploded on the school forum: a girl from the fashion design department had been severely disciplined. The school barely mentioned the reason, leaving everyone curious about what she had done.

Flora noticed that the girl was in the same dorm room as Kaylee and immediately understood. Kaylee's design drafts had been stolen, and the most likely culprit was her roommate.

...

7 p.m.

Gale Corporation.

Aisha returned to her office after a meeting and was startled to find someone sitting on the small sofa.

"What are you doing here?"

Seeing Ray, she frowned slightly.