hapter 363 The Protective Coat\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the same time, he draped his own coat over her shoulders, saying, \u201cI\u2019ll wait outside. If you need anything, just call, and I\u2019ll be right in.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing her coat swapped so abruptly, Scarlett felt more resigned than angry. She chose not to\u00a0<\/p>\n
engage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Instead, she replied indifferently, \u201cIf you have other matters to attend to, please do. Nolan is here with me. I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damian clearly wasn\u2019t convinced and showed no intention of leaving. \u201cMy only matter is ensuring your safety,\u201d he stated firmly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hearing this, Scarlett was momentarily at a loss for words.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sensing her discomfort, Nolan gently touched her shoulder. \u201cLet\u2019s go inside,\u201d he suggested softly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Without another word to Damian, Scarlett turned and followed Nolan into the restaurant\u2019s private dining area.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When she pushed open the door to the reserved room, she found it already quite full. She recognized many of the people seated there, though they wouldn\u2019t know her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Most were established names in the medical field. Among them, of course, were Vincent and\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sabrina.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As the door opened, most of the guests rose to greet Nolan. A chorus of welcomes filled the air \u2013\u201cNolan\u201d or \u201cDr. Huntley.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nolan had recently received a promotion, though his future had always been bright regardless. A returned scholar from abroad, he held not only advanced degrees but also a patent related to primary brain tumors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the medical community, he was a respected and top\u2013tier figure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The atmosphere, which had been somewhat subdued when Vincent and Sabrina arrived, instantly became lively with Nolan\u2019s entrance. In this circle, his reputation preceded him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finally, Sabrina also stood and greeted him. \u201cNolan.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He acknowledged her with only a brief glance and a faint, distant smile. After exchanging nods with the others, Nolan guided Scarlett to their seats.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A large round table dominated the room, set for about twenty. When choosing seats, Nolan\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
20:15 Wed, Jan 14\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 363 The Protective Coat\u00a0<\/p>\n
deliberately selected a spot somewhat removed from Vincent and Sabrina.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once seated, Scarlett glanced around. Thankfully, no one seemed particularly curious about her identity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That was a relief\u2013she had no illustrious resume and was essentially a nobody in this professional circle. Her credentials weren\u2019t worth mentioning here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her gaze eventually drifted across the table to Vincent. His attention was entirely on Sabrina. He was leaning in, speaking to her in a low voice, and both were smiling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After a moment, Vincent happened to look up, and his eyes unexpectedly met Scarlett\u2019s across the room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She quickly averted her gaze, but his lingered, scrutinizing her face and exposed skin for any signs of injury.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Unfortunately for him, Scarlett\u2019s careful makeup concealed all traces of bruising. A subtle sense of relief washed over him. At least the damage isn\u2019t too severe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Soon, Thomas arrived. His entrance lifted the atmosphere even further, with everyone rising once more to greet Thomas.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Aside from Vincent and Scarlett, everyone present was, in some form, a student or prot\u00e9g\u00e9 of\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thomas.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After a few opening remarks and customary pleasantries, Thomas invited everyone to be seated and for the dinner to begin.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The round table was expansive, with dishes placed far apart. Concerned Scarlett might not be able to reach, Nolan served several selections onto her plate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once everyone had begun eating, Thomas raised his glass for a toast. The gathering was an annual dinner, a tradition in their circle, though this was Scarlett\u2019s first time attending.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett\u2019s glass had been filled with a clear liquor. Picking it up, she felt a twinge of unease but said nothing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As a doctor, and given her recent surgery, she knew she shouldn\u2019t be drinking alcohol. Yet, in this moment, she felt compelled to raise her glass with the others.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent noticed this too, his eyes narrowing slightly in confusion as he watched her. Seeing she made no move to object, he let it go.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After the clinking of glasses, Thomas spoke, \u201cI\u2019m truly honored you could all join me tonight. I\u2019ll drink first to show my respect.\u201d With that, he downed the nearly full shot of liquor in one go.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
20:15 Wed, Jan 14\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 363 The Protective Coat\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Everyone present was from a field where professional networking often involved social drinking; a single glass was typically no issue. Moreover, when Thomas drank, who would dare refuse?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Looking at the strong spirit in her own glass, Scarlett frowned, caught in a dilemma. As she watched the others tip their heads back and finish their drinks, her anxiety grew.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1.1K\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Editorial Board: Our editorial team works behind the scenes to refine each chapter, maintain consistency, and deliver the best reading experience.<\/p>\n
Silent Dreams Never Die \u2014 Author: John Miller 363 hapter 363 The Protective Coat\u00a0 63\u00a0 Finished\u00a0 At the same time, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27727","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-impossible-condition-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27727","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27727"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27727\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27727"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27727"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27727"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}