Chapter 19 

“Stop talking nonsense,” Steve said, clamping a hand over the guy’s mouth. 

He turned to Evelyn with a forced smile. “Don’t listen to him. He just likes to talk nonsense.” 

Evelyn nodded, feeling a bit self–conscious under everyone’s gaze. 

This was her first gathering since returning to the lab, and she’d never seen her colleagues so lively. 

The guy, nicknamed Stone, was Tyler Gray–Steve’s close friend since their school days. 

“Wrong, bro! Let go of me!” Tyler mumbled, squirming under Steve’s grip. 

But Steve didn’t budge. 

Tyler’s eyes lit up with mischief. He made a “pfft” sound, and Steve immediately recoiled, wiping his hand with a napkin. 

The room erupted in laughter. 

“Stone, playing dirty now that you can’t win?” someone teased. 

Tyler smirked. “It’s not dirty. It’s psychological warfare!” 

After dinner, someone suggested they continue the night at a bar. 

In France, KTVs were rare, and no one wanted to search for one so late. They settled on a decent–looking bar and booked a private room. 

The noise from downstairs faded as they entered the room. Evelyn, holding Steve’s hand, finally relaxed. 

But the peace didn’t last. 

The group grabbed microphones and started singing at the top of their lungs, turning the room into chaos. 

Evelyn, who’d grown up in a quiet household, was stunned. 

But as the night went on, she found herself enjoying the noise. 

Professor Chambers and Steve became the main targets of the drinking games. 

Some of the newer students, who hadn’t been around when Evelyn left to get married, were skeptical of her “genius” 

reputation. 

But after seeing her in action, they quickly changed their tune. 

By the end of the night, Steve and Professor Chambers were the drunkest. 

Evelyn helped Steve into the car, his head lolling against her shoulder. 

“You can’t hold your liquor yet you still tried to push yourself. Now look at you, a complete drunk,” she teased. 

12:14 

Cleared for Departure: So Is My Love 

62.1% 

12:15 Sat, 17 May 

He shifted, his hair brushing her car. She pulled away, but he mumbled something and leaned back into her. 

Despite the smell of alcohol, she didn’t mind. 

“Evelyn…” he murmured. 

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