Stella halted in her tracks and turned her head, only to see Professor Caleb Callahan approaching with a broad smile, accompanied by several esteemed academics.
"Professor Callahan."
"Come, come, let me introduce you to some teachers..."
Professor Callahan enthusiastically pulled her alongside him, "This is Professor Miller, this is Dean Lawson, both authorities in the field of intellectual property... and this is the talented Stella Sterling I’ve often mentioned, one of my most spirited students. She’s quite enterprising and has opened her own law firm in Riveria!"
Stella hurriedly greeted and exchanged pleasantries with the seniors.
Just then, a deep and chilling yet unmistakably familiar voice sounded behind her: "Professor..."
Stella’s body froze instantly.
It was Jasper Hawthorne.
Unbeknownst to her, he had arrived and was standing not far behind.
The seniors clearly recognized him, responding with smiles: "Jasper is here, we were just talking about Stella. You must know each other, right? It’s said she opened a law firm on her own in Riveria. Truly impressive young talent!"
Jasper’s gaze crossed over the seniors, landing squarely on Stella with an emotionless voice: "Yes, Counselor Sterling... she’s very outstanding."
His gaze felt tangible, pressing against Stella’s skin.
She forced herself to turn and meet his eyes, the corners of her lips curving slightly, with a detached tone, "Attorney Hawthorne, you overpraise."
The moment their eyes met, the air seemed to freeze.
Jasper’s eyes swirled with a complex and indistinguishable current, whereas Stella’s eyes were akin to a frozen lake, undisturbed by ripples.
Such thorough indifference was more piercing than hatred.
His Adam’s apple subtly moved, as though he wanted to say something.
But before he could speak, a slight commotion arose from the entrance of the hall.
The crowd instinctively looked towards the source of the noise.
Shane Donovan entered with a group of people, striding in.
Today, he wore a classic black suit, tieless with two shirt buttons casually undone at the collar. There was less of the commercial sharpness and more of a relaxed, casual air, yet his presence remained formidable and commanding.
"Shane Donovan is here?"
"Shane Donovan from Innovatech? Is he interested in legal exchanges as well?"
"Perhaps he’s looking for legal collaboration partners..."
Amidst the crowd’s speculations, Shane’s gaze casually swept across the room, eventually pinpointing Stella.
A faint curve formed on his lips as he walked straight over.
"Professor Callahan, esteemed teachers, long time no see." He greeted the academic leaders, his demeanor humble and appropriate.
Professor Callahan clearly knew him too, exchanging pleasantries with smiles.
Shane’s gaze naturally turned to Stella, his lips carrying a hint of amusement, "Have you waited long? Sorry, had a last-minute meeting, arrived late..."
The familiarity and ease in his words hinted that the two had arrangements prior.
Stella was momentarily stunned, "I just arrived as well."
Beside them, the expression on Jasper’s face darkened, an unusual agitation nearly escaping his control.
Shane appeared unaware of the cold aura emanating from Jasper, casually acknowledging him with a composed tone, "Attorney Hawthorne, we meet again."
Jasper cast him a cold glance, unwilling even to maintain basic courtesy, only letting out a barely audible ’hmm’ from his nose.
The atmosphere instantly turned somewhat delicate and awkward.
The seniors, all experienced individuals, immediately sensed the unusual dynamic among the three.
It felt like some sort of tense battleground...
Professor Callahan quickly tried to ease the tension: "Haha, it seems you young folks are all acquainted, how nice, more interaction among the young is beneficial! The break is soon ending, shall we proceed inside?"
The crowd agreed, moving towards the conference hall.
Jasper instinctively tried to approach Stella, but Shane had subtly positioned himself between them, forming a nuanced protective stance.
Shane naturally walked beside Stella, slightly tilting his head, speaking in a low voice that only they could hear: "Was he the one that upset you yesterday?"
The warm breath grazed her ear, causing Stella to feel a slight warmth, her instinct was to turn and glare at him.
Shane’s lips curled in amusement, "Quite troublesome indeed."
Stella: "..."
For some reason, she felt Shane harbored an inexplicable... hostility towards Jasper.
When did they ever interact?
How come she didn’t know?
And this scene was precisely captured by Jasper, who was half a step behind.
He clenched his fists tightly, knuckles turning white.
...
After the break ended, the meeting transitioned into the thematic forum segment.
Stella deliberately chose a seat far from Jasper, while Shane sat diagonally from her, maintaining a leisurely posture as if merely there to observe.
Jasper’s keynote speech was scheduled for the latter part of the forum.
As he ascended the stage, the audience erupted in enthusiastic applause.
Undeniably, Jasper possessed extraordinary talent and charisma in his professional field.
His logic was clear, his viewpoints sharp, the cited cases were typical and analyzed thoroughly, the entire speech swept with momentum, capturing the attention of the audience.
Even Stella had to admit, forsaking personal feelings, Jasper’s professional capability was unparalleled.
She sat in the audience, watching the man eloquently speaking under the spotlight, momentarily transported back five years...
Back then, he also radiated brilliance, making her willingly follow and brave challenges for him.
Yet, only those who truly came close knew how cold that light was.
In his world, there seemed to be only laws and clear-cut outcomes, emotions were redundant and needed to be excluded.
The nights of shared struggles, the seemingly unbreakable feelings, ultimately succumbed to the cold reality and repeated disappointments.
She lowered her gaze, avoiding looking at him.
The speech concluded with the audience bursting into fervent applause.
As Jasper slightly bowed amidst the applause, his gaze penetrated the crowd, accurately locating the slender figure in the back, head bowed.
His eyes were complex, carrying a faint trace of indistinct anticipation.
Wishing she’d look at him, if only for his professional acknowledgment.
However, Stella never raised her head.
Jasper’s gaze dimmed.
Break time arrived once again.
Stella didn’t linger, rising to go to the restroom.
During which she called Finn Lockwood, sending all materials obtained from the forum, prepping him in advance.
But as she stepped out of the restroom, at the corridor turn, she was intercepted by a familiar tall figure.
Jasper held two cups of coffee, offering her one, "Your favorite, double cream, no sugar."
Stella’s steps rooted in place.
He remembered...
Such detail, which he had never paid attention to before.
Yet now, it became his tool to attempt closeness.
Indeed—ironic...