Ditched My Toxic Duo for a Billionaire Upgrade novel Chapter 45

Chapter 8

The reunion was set at Cipriani downtown.

Without Johnson breathing down my neck about appearances, I finally felt free to just be me.

I threw on a soft button–down, slipped into some sneakers, and headed out,

The restaurant manager still recognized me, overly polite as ever.

No matter how wild Johnson played outside, he never gave that “wife” title to anyone else.

“Mrs. Johnson, are you here to meet Mr. Johnson?”

“He’s got a private room upstairs–I can take you there.”

I blinked, surprised, then smiled politely.

“No, thanks. I’m here to see someone else.”

As soon as I stepped inside, I locked eyes with a pair I hadn’t seen in years.

“Hey, Kane.”

Sebastian Kane gave a small nod.

Still cold. Still unreadable.

Our old professor waved me over with a grin.

“Scarlett! It’s been what, seven years? You’ve grown into yourself.”

I laughed, even as my eyes stung a little.

It had been so long since someone spoke to me with warmth.

Other classmates chimed in, smiling.

Seven years post–graduation–we were no longer kids.

“Alright, grab a seat already!”

Only one spot was left–right next to Kane.

Given my old crush on him, sitting there made me a little uneasy.

Dinner was relaxed.

The professor kept reminiscing about our research days.

Ditched My Toxic Duo for a Billionaire Upgrade!

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*I still remember when Scarlett joined the lab. Had no clue what she was doing.

Followed you guys around every day with a million questions.”

“Back then, I knew this girl had something special,”

He didn’t finish the sentence.

I just lowered my eyes and took a sip of wine.

When dinner wrapped, I stayed behind.

Waited until most people had left.

Then pulled out a notebook from my bag.

“Professor… I want to get back into research.”

He looked shocked but took the notebook.

Flipped through it slowly, seriously.

When he set it down, he was beaming.

“Scarlett, I knew you still had it.”

“Your notes? Impressive foresight and clarity.”

“Let me think about it tonight–I’ll recommend a few good programs for you to apply to.”

Just then, Kane finally spoke for the first time.

“Can I see it too?”

I nodded, handed him the notebook.

He adjusted his gold–rimmed glasses, scanning the pages.

“You interested in working with me?”

I froze.

Did I hear that right?

The professor stepped in, chuckling.

“Yep–your old lab partner’s starting his own institute back here in the States.”

“Actually, I totally forgot–might as well go straight to him.”

“I’ll drop in now and then too.”

Ditched My Toxic Duo for a Billionaire Upgrade!

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Chapter 8

My jaw dropped.

Then the panic set in.

“I haven’t done real research in so long… what if I’m not good enough?”

Kane nodded slowly.

Voice cool but steady.

“I read your notes. Your logic’s sound.”

“You can join us–but you’ll be on a trial basis.”

A rush of joy almost knocked me over.

“Deal! I’ll give it everything I’ve got.”

For a second–just a second–I thought I saw his mouth twitch into a smile.

As I left the private room, the mood shattered.

Guess who I ran into.

Johnson.

With his usual crowd, heading out from the room next door.

Still clinging to that same twenty–something girl.

“Scarlett?”

Lucas, one of Johnson’s oldest friends, spotted me first

It was his cousin’s restaurant, the one we were all at that night.

“Thank God you’re here. Johnson’s wasted.”

“Could you take him home?”

Johnson was flushed, half–leaning on the girl like he didn’t even hear the request.

I raised an eyebrow.

“Didn’t he tell you? We’re not together anymore.”

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