When fate plays its hand

Chapter 0922

“What is this?” Miranda had an inkling of what it might be, but she kept her emotions in check and asked.

The staff member smiled faintly. “Ms. Sutton, you’re exceptional. We look forward to your presence at tonight’s academic banquet.”

With that, he turned and walked away.

She looked down at the invitation in her hand with a flash of surprise crossing her face, but it quickly settled into calmness.

Every year, an academic banquet was held to invite outstanding researchers from the event after the interdisciplinary summit forum. The entry ticket was this red invitation.

Prominent figures like Christine and Paul had already received theirs on the first day. According to tradition, each invitation allowed the recipient to bring only one guest.

Christine had already made arrangements with Miranda. “After the conference ends, come with me to the banquet.”

Miranda had naturally agreed.

The next day, Paul asked, “Would you like to come with me?”

She could only answer truthfully, “Dr. Young wants me to go with her.”

“Of course,” he said with a nod. “If Dr. Young has an invitation, she’d naturally take you.‘

Miranda felt a bit puzzled. Logically, Paul had come to the conference with Elizabeth, so it made sense for him to take her to the banquet. But why was he asking Miranda? novelbin

If she agreed, what would happen to Elizabeth? Just thinking about it made Miranda feel

awkward on Elizabeth’s behalf.

But now, Miranda was genuinely stunned and excited to have received an invitation herself. It wasn’t about the invite itself but about the recognition.

This meant that her name was now being noticed in the academic community–not just as “Dr. Young’s star student“.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth wasn’t so fortunate. She had been mostly invisible throughout the conference, so it was no surprise she hadn’t received an invitation. But she knew Paul had one. If he wanted, he could bring her along.

Back at the hotel, she approached Paul. Instead of directly asking, she casually mentioned the banquet. “I heard Miranda is going too?”

“Yes,” he replied.

Elizabeth’s eyes flashed with envy. “How nice. She’s going with Dr. Young, right? I heard that this banquet had a lot of prominent scholars and professors. It would be such a great opportunity to learn from them… Dr. Jefferson, could I—”

Paul interrupted her, “Miranda isn’t going with Dr. Young.”

“Huh?” She blinked in surprise.

“She received an invitation directly from the organizers,” he explained.

Elizbeth was stunned. After a long pause, she finally said, “…I–I see. Well, congratulations to her.” Her tone was clearly tinged with bitterness.

She rolled her eyes and added, “Isn’t the invitation supposed to be reserved for a select group of people? How is it that Miranda, a student, is attending? Isn’t that… against the rules? After all, plenty of people don’t even have the qualifications to attend.”

Her words were calm, but inside, she was seething. Miranda, a student, could attend, yet she, an associate professor, wasn’t eligible. It seemed so unfair.

“The organizers decide who gets the invitations. If you have any questions, you can ask them directly. I’m sure they’d be happy to explain,” Paul said while maintaining a professional tone without revealing much.

Elizabeth clenched her teeth. Of course, she wouldn’t ask the organizers–that would be too embarrassing. She forced a smile. “No, it’s fine. I don’t see anything wrong with this. There’s no need to bother them.”

Paul glanced at his watch. “If that’s all, I’ll head out now.” He would be late for the banquet if he didn’t leave soon.