Chapter 248 Different Research Directions
The day after getting back from North City, Riley jumped right back into work at the research institute.
She'd been gone for two days, leaving everything to Deacon, which had worn him out.
After work, Riley and Deacon walked out together.
Deacon joked, "Dr. Monroe, you left me with everything for two days. Don't you think I deserve a proper thank you?"
Riley smiled. "Of course. I'm free tonight. How about dinner?"
Deacon had asked her to dinner a few times before, but she always declined, seeing him as just a colleague. So, he didn't push it.
Now, hearing her suggest it, he knew she was just being grateful for the past two days. He agreed, "Sure, I'll take you up on that."
They drove separately. Once in her car, Riley messaged Sophie to pick up the kids for the night, then led the way.
She couldn't think of a good spot, so she chose the restaurant where she'd dined with Adam before.
At the restaurant entrance, Riley parked and waited for Deacon. Once he arrived, they went in.
Without a reservation, they had to wait a bit for a table.
"I heard Zachary wanted to take you on as a student at the conference, but you turned him down," Deacon said while they waited.
Riley smiled. "I already have a mentor, and my research direction is different from Zachary's. It wouldn't work."
As they chatted about the conference, Riley's phone buzzed. She saw a message from the kindergarten parents' group chat.
Since her kids started kindergarten, Zoey had added her to the group chat.
The group had been mostly quiet until today.
She opened the message from Zoey: [Dear parents, the school will host a tree-planting charity event soon. The kids will plant saplings and stay overnight. Please be aware, and if you have any special circumstances, message me privately.]
Several parents replied, asking about the location, timing, and what to bring.
Zoey answered each question.
The event was set for this weekend, with the kindergarten arranging the overnight stay. Each child would be accompanied by one parent, and they only needed to bring daily necessities and a change of clothes.
One parent per child.
Riley thought of Finley. The ones accompanying her would be Donovan or Hollis.
Both were people she didn't want to see.
But if she wanted to join the event, she'd have to face them.
The parents at this kindergarten were all wealthy and influential, and they knew those two. Some might have even been at Daniel's birthday party.
If she interacted with them, who knew what rumors might spread.
Thinking of this, Riley felt a headache coming on.
Deacon, sitting across from her, had asked a question about the conference but hadn't gotten an answer. He looked at her with concern, seeing her distracted, staring at her phone.
"What's wrong?" Deacon asked.
Riley snapped out of it, pushing down her worries. She shook her head with a smile. "It's nothing, just an event at the kids' kindergarten."
Seeing she didn't want to elaborate, Deacon didn't press further.
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