Chapter 444 The Test
Yunice silently counted the number of floors corresponding to that window, then stepped into the elevator.
Sure enough, the waiter pressed the floor number Yunice had just calculated.
So they really are that interested in me, she thought.
Outside the private room, Wyatt had just raised his hand when the door flung open from the inside.
In an instant, a group of people crowded the doorway like starving wolves, staring directly and unabashedly at Yunice.
They had already looked her up and seen her photos, but what they really wanted was to compare her in person – see how much she matched up to the pictures.
After several seconds, a woman in the group laughed and said to the others, “She’s crush-tier.”
Yunice scanned the group. Men and women alike, all about Wyatt’s age – matching the brief introductions he’d given her earlier.
The woman who’d spoken stuck out her hand with confident ease. “Welcome.”
Welcome?
It sounded friendly at first, but on second thought, that word only gets used on outsiders.
No one would say that to Wyatt.
Yunice shook her hand with calm poise. “Nice to meet you.”
With cliques like this, it was important to strike a balance – neither too eager to please nor too cold.
It was a subtle, high-pressure social game where neither side had crossed paths before. Suspicion and scrutiny hung in the air, and unless Yunice could command genuine respect, she would never truly be accepted.
As soon as the handshake ended, the others piled in.
“Can’t play favorites. You shook her hand – you’ve got to shake ours too.”
Yunice obliged, smiling gently at each one.
Once the greetings were done, the woman named Maine threw an arm around Yunice’s shoulders and pulled her into the room like they were old friends. “We’re all Wyatt’s close friends. And of course, I am too!”
“If you ever need anything, just say the word – we’ve got your back!”
Yunice smiled faintly. The words sounded nice, but the tone made it clear – this was a declaration from someone in a superior position.
Only someone in charge would say they were “covering” someone else.
And the casual arm around her shoulders? That was the body language of someone treating her like a tagalong sidekick.
But if Yunice pushed back, she’d come across as overly sensitive or snobbish.
She kept her expression easy and said, “I don’t have much to offer, but I do know a little traditional medicine passed down through my family. If anyone has an annoying little health issue, I can probably help.”
Maine grinned, loud and carefree. “I know a ton of international medical experts. If you’re ever looking for a mentor, just say the word – I’ll hook you up.”
No wonder they’re Wyatt’s inner circle, Yunice thought. None of them pull their punches.
Maine had smoothly brushed off her offer and regained control of the moment.
Yunice followed her lead and sat down beside her, still smiling. “That’s too bad. Academician Laurie Shen’s already taken me in as her final apprentice. If she hears I’m trying to switch mentors, she’ll probably smack me with a test tube.”
Someone cut in. “Laurie took you on?”
Most people might not understand what that meant – but these people did.
Laurie was one of the founding members of Wellinges Pharma. If she weren’t so eccentric and lacking in social tact, she might have already become part of this very group.
That was why, when Laurie first met Yunice, she had no problem dragging her straight to confront Wyatt. Laurie might be rigid and sharp-tongued, but agreeing to mentor Yunice meant she respected her.
Yunice added smoothly, “I helped out on the recent ward research project, so Academician Shen broke her own rule and made me her last disciple.”
Translation: I’ve got real skills. Got it?
Maine smirked. “No wonder everyone says Wyatt spoils you. He really went all out polishing your résumé. But hey, with solid credentials, no one can dig up dirt on you.”
Yunice turned to her, brows slightly raised. “Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that. Were you implying Wyatt faked my credentials?”
She looked innocently at Wyatt. “Wyatt, is that true?”
The others shot each other amused glances around Yunice, exchanging looks with Maine.
Their expressions practically said it all: Yup, definitely not easy to deal with.
Of course she’s smart – how else could she get Wyatt to fall for her?
Wyatt waited for the dust to settle before walking over to sit beside Yunice. He swept his gaze across the room. “Anyone here got a problem with my wife?”
His teasing tone made the others laugh it off.
“We were just joking around. You gonna get all defensive now? When did you turn into such a softie?”
“Call her your sister-in-law,” Wyatt said.
“Tch, I’m older than you!”
Wyatt wrapped an arm around Yunice’s waist. “Then why don’t you have a wife?”