Chapter 0207

It was like telling a chef how to cook. No one would believe the instructions!

Miranda looked at the stunned Elizabeth and calmly said, “Thank you for your guidance earlier. I understand that research work requires rigor, truthfulness, and practicality—these are the basic qualities of a researcher. But I also believe we should be open to listening to others' opinions and accepting reasonable suggestions. Don't you agree? Take today's issue, for example. Regardless of who proposed the correction or what the suggestion was, it should be validated before determining right or wrong, rather than jumping to conclusions based on personal feelings.”

Miranda’s tone was calm, as if she were merely stating objective facts. But to Elizabeth, every word felt like a sharp needle, piercing painfully. It wasn’t a lecture, but it stung like one. Elizabeth’s face flushed instantly.

After another busy day, Miranda dragged her tired body home. She collapsed on the couch and dozed off, hugging a pillow.

Under the same night sky, some were busy and sleep-deprived, while others partied endlessly amidst flashing lights and pounding beats. In the midst of the raucous drum beats, dazzling lights, and young bodies swaying freely on the dance floor, Zach found himself caught up in the infectious energy, moving instinctively. He held a wine glass; the red liquid swirled with his movements. His eyes roamed over the youthful bodies, like a panther on the prowl, selecting its prey.

“What are you looking at? Didn’t you say you wanted to play cards? What’s this—lost too much and now you’re sulking?” Calvin approached, drink in hand, teasing lazily as he watched Zach dance alone.

Zach raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about? I’ve never been afraid of losing.”

“My luck tonight’s pretty good; several girls in there are just my type. Isn’t this way more fun than playing cards?” Zach said, catching the eye of a hot girl in a black camisole who winked at him. He returned the gesture with a playful air kiss.

Calvin, who always had a steady girlfriend, couldn’t relate to these flings. “I’d suggest you take it easy, man. Don’t mess around until it backfires.”

“Relax, I know my limits,” Zach replied, taking a sip of his drink before nodding toward the private room. “Is he still sulking in there?”

Calvin sighed and shrugged. “Yeah, wouldn’t you be? It’s a lot of pressure.”

“I think it’s great, honestly. My mom’s always bugging me to give her a grandchild. He’s got one ready-made now. How convenient,” Zach said, clearly amused.

Calvin shot him a look. “You better not let Hans hear you say that. Otherwise, he might dump the kid on you to raise—and hey, maybe get rid of the kid’s mom too.”

Zach’s face changed instantly. “No way, man. I’m not taking on that kind of blessing!” The last thing he wanted was to get tangled up with a gold digger.

Sure, he enjoyed playing around—there were plenty of women out there. When he got bored of one, he’d move on to the next. As long as the pond was big and well-stocked, he could catch any fish he wanted. But getting tangled up with a “baby mama”—that was a whole different story. What normal guy would want to be blackmailed with a pregnancy? If that ever happened to him, his dad would break his legs. So, while Zach enjoyed his flings, he never skipped taking precautions. That was one boundary he always respected.

Calvin seemed about to speak when Hans pushed open the door to the private room. He held his overcoat and looked ready to leave.

“Cal, get someone to take me home.”