Chapter 58

Asher spoke in his usual calm way. "I hardly ever showed up for school."

That did not surprise Arabella. Someone in his position, with all the privileges of a wealthy family,probably found regular classes far too simple.

A voice called out from nearby, "Hey,you two!"

Both Asher and Arabella turned around and saw a girl with a camera hanging around her neck.She looked like any other student wandering the campus.

The girl's cheeks glowed with excitement. "I was walking around taking pictures and just had to get one of you together. Honestly, you both look amazing-like a pair straight out of a magazine! Let me give you a copy."

She handed over the photograph.

Arabella accepted it. The picture showed her looking up at the fluttering maple leaves, while

Asher gazed at her. The whole scene looked soft and romantic.

A gentle warmth spread through Arabella's chest as she studied the photo.

Still bubbling with excitement, the girl asked,"You make such a striking pair. Which department do you belong to?"

"We're not..." Arabella tried to clear things up.But before she could finish, Asher interjected,"We only came for the event."

The girl grinned and nodded. "Got it! I'll let you enjoy your time, then. Have a wonderful day!"

When she had gone, Arabella traced her fingers over the photograph. "She definitely got the wrong idea about us."

Asher stayed unfazed. "It doesn't really matter.Is there somewhere else you'd like to see?"

Arabella glanced toward a building with a square shape, set apart from the rest. "What's that building over there?"

Asher replied, "That's the laboratory building."

As she heard this, Arabella's curiosity grew.

"Would it be alright if I looked around?"

Asher responded without hesitation, "Of course."

They headed toward the building, passing through strict security thanks to Asher. Once inside, Arabella watched robots move around the space, her eyes shining with excitement.She spent a few moments interacting with one of them, completely absorbed.

Their steps carried them deeper into the lab when, all at once, a door burst open and something shot out toward them. Arabella tensed, getting ready to dodge, but before she could move, Asher swept her into his arms,shielding her from danger.

It turned out that the object was only a malfunctioning robot, which jerked and wobbled right in front of them.

A young man in a lab coat rushed over. "Sorry!Oh no, I'm so sorry!" he exclaimed. This was River Lopez, a junior in Asher's old department.Though Asher had already graduated, River clearly remembered him."Are you alright?"

River's eyes widened when he saw Asher. "Wait,Asher? Is that you?"

Arabella suddenly realized she was still caught in Asher's embrace and quickly stepped away.Asher greeted River simply. "Hello."

River's expression changed from surprise to excitement. "Is this your girlfriend?" he asked,his eyes full of curiosity and a hint of mischief.

Arabella thought Asher would deny it,but instead, he turned the conversation. "What are you working on right now?"

River's enthusiasm faded as he explained, "I just finished building this robot, but now it's malfunctioning. I've checked everything, and l can't figure out what's wrong."

The faulty robot kept twitching and shifting where it stood.

Arabella moved closer to inspect the robot."Would you mind if I take a look at it?" she asked.

River hesitated. "Well... I guess, but..." He looked doubtful.

Asher chimed in, "Let her give it a shot."

Since Asher had spoken, River agreed and

invited Arabella to step into the lab for a closer look.

Arabella got right to work on the robot, and her expert handling left River completely astonished.

River could not hide his excitement. "Wow,your girlfriend is incredible!"

Asher's lips curled into the faintest of smiles,even though his voice remained steady. "She really is."

River watched her in admiration, then blurted out, "She looks pretty young though."

Asher answered without hesitation, "She's nineteen."

River stared at him, visibly taken aback.

Asher's girlfriend was so much younger than him.

A chill crept into Asher's eyes, his expression growing a little more serious. River immediately tried to smooth things over. "No offense meant!Honestly, you two make a great pair. A real dream team!"

Hearing this, Asher's expression eased a bit.

After about thirty minutes, Arabella finished her repairs and gave the robot an instruction. "Go shake hands with him."

The robot moved straight toward River, held out its hand, and showed no signs of its earlier problems.

River could only stare, amazed. He had not expected someone so young to know so much about artificial intelligence, but the proof was right in front of him.

He squatted down to look the robot over,finally spotting the error he had missed,and then glanced up at Arabella with new respect."You really are something else! When did you start seeing Asher?"

Arabella frowned, surprised by the label."What?"

River blinked. "Wait, aren't you together?"