Chapter 307 The Game
Outside Harmony College, at the small restaurant nearby.
When Camilla and Sebastian arrived, Marcus was already there.
"Camilla!" he smiled, approaching with eyes fixed solely on her, as if Sebastian were invisible.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Davis," Camilla said.
The formal "Mr. Davis" made Sebastian smile involuntarily.
Marcus finally seemed to notice him. "Sebastian, we meet again."
Sebastian maintained his smile. "Indeed. Seems I'm destined to cross paths with Mr. Davis."
"Please, sit," Marcus said, directing Sebastian to the seat beside him, then pulling out a chair on his other side for Camilla.
"That seat faces the door," Sebastian interjected. "With people coming and going, there's quite a draft. Camilla should sit next to me instead."
Camilla considered this and, finding it reasonable, took the seat beside Sebastian.
"Better?" Sebastian asked, ignoring Marcus's darkening expression.
"Much better," Camilla nodded.
Marcus narrowed his eyes. "You know, there is quite a draft here. I think I'll move over too." He relocated to Camilla's other side.
Sebastian could only accept defeat.
Marcus turned to Camilla with a smile. "I've already ordered—all your favorites."
Camilla thanked him but realized Sebastian hadn't been consulted. "Professor Russell, would you like to check the menu for anything you'd prefer?"
"No need," Sebastian replied. "I'm fine with anything."
"Please don't be polite. Order whatever you'd like."
"All right."
Marcus was seething with jealousy. Why hadn't Camilla asked if he wanted to order his own preferences? He completely forgot that he'd been the one to order in the first place.
Camilla naturally assumed Marcus had included some of his own favorites when ordering.
When the food arrived, even Sebastian noticed Marcus's sour mood.
Yet Camilla remained oblivious, constantly encouraging Sebastian to try different dishes, concerned he might not get enough to eat.
"Thank you, Camilla, but please don't worry about me. Enjoy your meal," Sebastian said.
"I will."
Watching their easy interaction, Marcus's jaw tightened, his expression growing increasingly cold. When had Camilla ever been this attentive to him?
Who did Sebastian think he was?
"Mr. Davis, why aren't you eating?" Camilla finally turned her attention to him.
"Lost my appetite," Marcus muttered.
Camilla pushed the apple pie toward him. "I remember you like this. Try some—it's quite good."
Marcus brightened instantly. "You remembered I like apple pie!"
"Of course!"
Marcus's heart leaped with joy.
But then Camilla added, "Just like I know Oliver loves shrimp and Simon doesn't eat fish."
Marcus fell silent, regretting his excitement. Apparently, she remembered everyone's preferences.
Still, the fact that she knew what he liked was enough to improve his mood.
"Camilla's always thoughtful that way," Sebastian remarked. "She remembers nearly everyone's preferences."
The implication was clear: Marcus was nothing special.
Surprisingly, Marcus didn't take offense. "Indeed. She's been that way all these years."
Completely missing the subtext between the two men, Camilla focused on her meal. After standing at the lab bench all afternoon—both mentally and physically draining—she was famished.
"You two should eat as well," she said.
"Of course," Marcus and Sebastian replied simultaneously, exchanging cold, disdainful glances.
Suddenly, Marcus raised his teacup. "Camilla mentioned that Sebastian helped secure her lab space. I'd like to toast you with tea instead of wine, as thanks on her behalf."
Sebastian didn't reciprocate. "That's hardly necessary, Mr. Davis. It was nothing worth thanking me for."
"Besides, if anyone should express gratitude, it should be Camilla herself," he added.
Camilla immediately raised her cup. "He's right. Thank you, Professor Russell, for finding us such a perfect lab space."
Sebastian waved dismissively. "You would have found something suitable eventually, with or without my help. It was just a matter of time."
"Time is invaluable," Camilla insisted. "Even if we'd found something eventually, the time wasted would have been irreplaceable."
"So this toast is from me, thanking you for your repeated assistance," she continued.
Sebastian solemnly raised his cup and clinked it gently against hers. "You're most welcome."
Marcus remarked thoughtfully, "Professor Russell truly exemplifies what it means to be an educator, going above and beyond for his students. So this toast is from both Camilla and myself."
Sebastian could only sigh inwardly at the situation.
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