Night Carved Paths Into Silence by Zyrel Ash 173
Bradley was looking down at his phone, only looking up when
he sensed someone walking toward him.
A young girl in a Thai–style school uniform skirt approached
him. She was slender, with her hair in a high ponytail, and her
eyes were full of life.
She looked around, her eyes locking onto Bradley. She smiled,
revealing her canines.
“Hello, are you Dr. Kline?”
Bradley stood up and nodded, “Hello, I’m Bradley.”
“My name is Isabella Martinez, you can just call me Isabella.”
The girl was very lively. She sat down and gave a simple
introduction.
“I’m 23, about to graduate with my master’s and applying for a
Ph.D. program. I guess you could say we’re sort of in the same
field.”
“Sort of?”
Chapter 173
Isabella nodded, her two canines showing.
“Yeah, I’m in forensic medicine.”
Bradley: …
A doctor and a forensic pathologist. They really were only sort
of colleagues.
Madeleine almost couldn’t hold it in when she heard that,
finding herself inexplicably shipping them.
Bradley laughed too and handed her the menu.
“I wasn’t sure what you like, so I haven’t ordered yet.”
Isabella took it and smiled a little awkwardly, “Um, Dr. Kline, I’m
so sorry, but I actually invited a friend to join us. She’ll be here
any minute. If you don’t mind… could we all sit together?”
She quickly added, “Of course, if you mind, just forget I said
anything. I can have her sit at another table.”
“It’s fine.”
Bradley hadn’t taken the blind date seriously anyway.
It was just a meal. What difference did one more person make?
Chapter 173
The two of them chatted, with Isabella glancing at the entrance
from time to time.
Finally.
She smiled and raised her hand, waving.
“Charlotte, over here!”
That name…
Bradley subconsciously looked in the direction she was
pointing. His pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, and the
knuckles of the hand holding the water glass turned slightly
white.
It really was her.
Charlotte was wearing a beige trench coat over a black knit
dress. Her long, slightly curled hair was draped over her
shoulders, and she exuded an air of mature elegance.
A stark contrast to the energetic Isabella in her school uniform
skirt.
Charlotte’s gaze also clearly paused when it fell on Bradley, but
she quickly recovered her composure.
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“Charlotte.”
Isabella happily stood up and pulled her over to sit. “This is Dr.
Kline. Dr. Kline, this is my friend, Charlotte.”
Bradley’s whole body went stiff, his Adam’s apple bobbing with
difficulty.
Just as he was about to ask when she had come back.
Charlotte sat down gracefully and extended her right hand:
“Dr. Kline, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
First time meeting?
Bradley froze for a moment, then his facial muscles twitched
stiffly, as if he’d been punched.
He reached out his hand, feeling the coolness of her fingertips,
and resisted the urge to grip it tightly. Their hands touched and
parted in an instant.
“Miss Hayes, hello.”
His voice was as steady as if he were truly greeting a stranger
for the first time.
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Charlotte smiled and pushed the menu toward Bradley. “After
you, Dr. Kline.”
As Bradley took the menu, his fingertips accidentally brushed
the back of her hand.
They both pulled away as if they’d been burned.
“What do you like to eat, Charlotte?”
Bradley asked, feigning casualness.
Charlotte tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Anything
is fine. I’m not a picky eater.”
Bradley chuckled inwardly.
Liar.
She clearly hated carrots and celery.
“I’ll have the filet mignon then, medium–well. Would you like the
same, Charlotte?”
Charlotte, feeling uncomfortable at his question, could only
nod.
Bradley added to the waiter, “And no carrot garnish on hers.”
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Charlotte’s hand, stirring her lemonade, suddenly stopped, her
breath catching.
Isabella looked at Bradley in surprise.
“How did you know Charlotte doesn’t eat carrots, Dr. Kline?”
Bradley picked up his water glass, his expression unchanged.
“Just a guess. A lot of my patients don’t like it.”
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.