Chapter 70

When Lukas entered the room, he saw Cole chatting with Elias. Ava looked surprised and asked, "Do you guys know each other?"

Elias grinned. "We don't just know each other. We've been acquaintances for a long time."

A flash of surprise crossed Ava's cold face. Cole noticed Lukas's arrival and immediately stood up. "Mr. Strakovski," he said.

Lukas glanced at him casually. "In private, you don't have to be so formal."

Carrying the food, I entered the room, deliberately avoiding Lukas and keeping my distance, as if he were a harmful object. Lukas noticed my actions; his eyes darkened slightly, but he remained silent.

I opened the food, saying, "Ava, Cole, let's have dinner." Elias opened his own food, smiling. "Lukas, let's eat too."

My mouth twitched. This scene felt odd.

For a moment, the aroma of the food filled the ward. Elias looked at Cole and said with a smile, "Director Hopkins, I didn't expect you to be Ava and Designer Lopez's college senior."

Hearing Elias's words, Ava subconsciously glanced at Cole, flustered. "Who are you calling Ava? Don't call me that."

Elias blinked. "But aren't you Ava? Isn't that your name?" He clearly saw the change in Ava's eyes. He glanced unintentionally at Cole, and his gaze slightly darkened. I saw this clearly. Afraid Cole would misunderstand my relationship with Elias, I frowned.

Though Lukas appeared to be eating, he subtly observed my reactions. Seeing me frown, he felt inexplicably uncomfortable. His face darkened. "You can't even shut up during a meal. If you don't want to eat, go back to your own ward."

Elias quickly said, "Okay, I'll shut up."

After finishing their meal, Cole took his leave, planning to come back to see Ava another day. I accompanied him out.

Third POV

Lukas unwrapped a mint candy, stood in the corridor, and watched Cole and Sophia below, his expression heavy, lost in thought. Inside the ward, as soon as Cole left, Ava felt emptied, looking listless.

Elias was astute, experienced with many women, yet untouched by them. He could see through any woman at a glance. Ava's disappointment was too evident. His eyes flickered as he smiled—a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Ava, what's your relationship with Director Hopkins?"

Ava furrowed her brows at his addressing her. She paused before explaining, "Cole is my college senior."

Elias raised an eyebrow, his expression playful. "Is that so? It doesn't feel like it."

Ava, afraid of others seeing through her feelings for Cole, immediately said, "He saved my life once."

Elias hadn't expected this. He had been interested in Ava since he first saw her. He couldn't help but say, "In ancient times, if a beautiful woman was saved by a handsome man, she would say, 'Sir, I'm grateful to you for saving my life. I can only repay you with my body.' But if the savior was ugly, the beautiful woman would say, 'I'm grateful to you for saving my life. I can only repay you in my next life.'"

Ava frowned and looked at him without saying a word. Elias stared at her face. "So, what kind of feelings do you have for Cole?"

Ava's face changed instantly. Just then, the ward door opened. Sophia walked in and frowned upon seeing Elias. "Mr. Schmidt, why are you still here? Ava needs rest."

Elias casually replied, "Okay, I'll leave." As he spoke, he stood up and walked towards the door. At the entrance, he said to Ava, "Don't forget, you haven't answered my question yet."

Once Elias left, he saw Lukas standing outside with a dark expression. He smirked. "You and Designer Lopez are in a close relationship on paper, but why didn't you even say a word when you met?"

Lukas hooked his lips. "As you said, it's just a relationship on paper."

Elias caught up with him, looking at Lukas teasingly. "I feel like you're not acting normal around her. Could it be that you're secretly in love with her, but you're keeping it to yourself like a shy person?"

Lukas's voice was indifferent. "You're overthinking it. I'm not interested in her." He was interested in her design talent. Other than that, he liked how she made him fall asleep easily.

Elias was unconvinced. "Don't be so stubborn. You might end up eating your own words one day."

Lukas snorted lightly. "Rest assured. That day will never come. You take care of yourself. I'm leaving." Lukas walked away without looking back. Elias blinked, feeling that Lukas was unusually confident.