Falling for the Goddess

I Misjudged Her

Sara Hart finished her experiment and was about to take the side path toward the auditorium to meet Ella Duvall when she was suddenly called out. She turned around and saw a large group of people gathered near the administrative building, slightly taken aback.

She walked up to Professor Baker and greeted everyone politely, "Hello, Professor Baker. Hello, Professor Hall. Hello, Professor Lee, Professor ....."

Sara Hart went down the line, greeting each person until she reached Adrian Blake. She paused, unsure whether it was appropriate to greet him in this setting.

David Baker, thinking she didn't know Adrian Blake, introduced him, "This is one of Professor Hall's top students, and also the CEO of Blake Group, Adrian Blake."

Leaning lazily against the wall, arms crossed, Lucas Graves watched the scene unfold with great interest. The moment he had been anticipating had finally arrived. He was eager to see how Adrian Blake would react.

Sara Hart looked at Adrian Blake, her gaze calm and composed. It had been a week since they last saw each other. Ever since that night when he said he wasn't coming back, they hadn't spoken. She didn't know when he returned from his trip - perhaps he simply didn't want to return to the Villa.

"Hello, Mr. Blake," she said politely, her tone indifferent, respecting his desire to keep their relationship private.

Adrian Blake was a bit surprised by her formality, and a thought flickered across his mind as he asked, "And this is?"

Before David Baker could respond, one of the professors jumped in to introduce her. "Oh, this is Professor Baker's prized student, his last disciple. Don't let her age fool you - this young lady published a paper in the AIChE Journal while she was still an undergrad. Now she's in her second year of her Ph.D. with two more top journal articles under her belt. We're all envious!"

The speaking professor, Professor Lee, was also from the chemical engineering department.

Another professor chimed in, "Oh, it's not just us who are envious - her lab mates, especially the boys, are all jealous too. They only have junior students no one likes, but she's their sweet, talented junior."

David Baker chuckled, waving it off modestly. His mood had clearly improved with Sara Hart's arrival. After all, who didn't like showing off their favorite student?

In terms of research, Sara was not necessarily less accomplished than Adrian - she just didn't have his background and connections. Their fields were also different, so there was no direct comparison.

As the professors joked around, Adrian Blake's eyes rested on Sara Hart. For the first time, a flicker of admiration crossed his usually cool expression.

So, she was the brilliant and well-respected student everyone had been talking about.

Sara Hart, with her hair tied in a casual bun from her experiment, stood quietly, her demeanor poised and humble. Despite the praise from her professors, she remained calm, not showing even a hint of pride or arrogance.

"What's your major?" Adrian Blake asked, his tone as cool as always.

"Chemical engineering," Sara Hart responded, as though they really were just strangers meeting for the first time.

Adrian Blake maintained his usual calm expression, though a subtle realization stirred beneath the surface.

So, this was why she had been coming home late every night.

He had misjudged her.

Her major came as a surprise to him. He had assumed that a girl like her, so soft-spoken and gentle, would be studying something like literature or art. He didn't expect her to be in such a challenging and demanding field like engineering, and excelling at it, no less.

Suddenly, Adrian Blake remembered the group of students gathered outside the chemical engineering building last time he visited. Were they watching Sara Hart back then?

Adrian Blake shot a cold glance at Lucas Graves, who was still watching the scene with amusement. So, Lucas Graves had known all along?

Lucas Graves shrugged, as if to say, "You were the one who didn't pay attention."

Sara Hart finally noticed Lucas Graves and smiled politely. "Hello, Mr. Graves."

Adrian Blake caught the subtle difference in how she addressed Lucas Graves and himself, a barely noticeable furrow appearing between his brows.

Lucas Graves straightened up and waved back, his grin playful. "Hello... uh, nice to see you."

Adrian Blake asked, "You and Miss Hart know each other?"

"We've bumped into each other a couple of times," Sara Hart said with a gentle smile, making it seem like the most ordinary thing in the world.

"Young people are bound to run into each other. Who'd want to hang out with us old folks, anyway?" one of the professors joked.

"True enough," another agreed.

Professor Hall glanced over at Adrian Blake. "We're having a get-together later - why don't you join us?"

"I can't. I've got business back at the office, so I'll have to head back," Adrian Blake declined politely.

"Alright, take care."

Just then, a soft and delicate voice called out from behind them. "Dad..."

Sara Hart turned to see a poised young woman approaching. She had an air of elegance, standing tall like a graceful swan. Her hair was styled up, and she still had her stage makeup on, with a pair of pearl earrings dangling lightly from her ears.

She walked up to Professor Hall and greeted the group with a sweet smile, "Hello, Uncle Lee, Uncle Baker ..."

Her voice was soft and refined.

Lucas Graves's eyes lit up with interest as he saw her. So, the internet rumors were true after all.

"Ah, this must be Rachael! You've grown into such a beautiful young woman, I almost didn't recognize you!"

"Michael, you're really lucky, aren't you? Such a stunning daughter. She just finished performing, right?"

"Yes, Uncle Lee. I just finished."

Rachael Hall responded with a gentle smile, then turned toward Adrian Blake, her gaze focused and warm. "Adrian Blake, it's been a while."

Adrian Blake nodded slightly in acknowledgment, a minimal response.

Seeing that everyone seemed to know each other, the older professors excused themselves, leaving the younger crowd to chat. They had a banquet to attend anyway.

Before leaving, David Baker patted Sara Hart on the shoulder. "Your aunt is at home. Want me to call her and let her know you'll be joining us for dinner?"

Sara Hart smiled softly. "Thank you, Professor Baker, but my friend's here, so I'll go meet up with her later."

"Alright then."

Professor Lee laughed. "Come on, Baker, you treat your student like she's your own daughter. Let her have some fun with her friends."

"What do you know?"

—

After the professors left, only the four of them remained.

Lucas Graves glanced at Rachael Hall and lazily asked, "And who might this beautiful lady be?"

"Hello, I'm Rachael Hall," she said, extending her hand. She recognized Lucas Graves as the heir to the Graves family and one of Adrian Blake's friends.

Lucas Graves shook her hand briefly before letting go. "So, you and Adrian Blake know each other?"

Rachael Hall chuckled softly, her voice carrying a hint of affection. "Adrian Blake and I are alumini."

Lucas Graves raised an eyebrow, casting a glance at Sara Hart. He was curious about how she'd react, but Sara Hart's expression remained calm, as if none of this affected her.

Adrian Blake didn't respond to Rachael Hall's comment.

From her bag, Rachael Hall pulled out two tickets and handed them to Adrian Blake. "These are tickets to my first performance back in the country, at the North Capital Grand Theatre. Feel free to bring a friend."