Chapter 427
The glass door of the laboratory slid open without a sound.
When Scarlett Galatea stepped into the Valdemar Group lobby for the third time, the receptionist greeted her with familiarity.
"Miss Galatea, this way, please."
The elevator ascended directly to the twelfth floor.
The metal door of the laboratory slowly parted before her.
"This is our core R&D zone," the staff member gestured toward the precision instruments behind the transparent glass partition on the left. "And that area is for administrative offices."
White-coated researchers remained engrossed in their work, indifferent to the visitor's arrival.
Scarlett's gaze swept across every corner before settling on the empty director's office.
After the tour, she disappeared alone for an hour.
When she returned, four waiters carrying exquisite food boxes followed behind her.
"Pardon the interruption," she murmured softly, directing the servers to arrange an array of desserts on the lounge's long table.
The lab director adjusted his glasses, staring at the spread of madeleines and pour-over coffee, momentarily speechless.
"Consider it a greeting gift." Scarlett tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Looking forward to our future collaboration."
For the next forty-eight hours, Scarlett became a constant presence in the laboratory.
Daily afternoon tea with no repeated menu. Thoughtfully provided hand creams. Even the chair cushions were replaced with ergonomic designs.
But the person she sought never appeared.
Until the third morning.
The elevator doors opened.
Scarlett's breath hitched.
"Seb—"
The man's sharp profile turned toward her. She quickly corrected herself. "Good morning, Mr. Valdemar."
Sebastian Valdemar gave a slight nod. "Miss Galatea."
"Have you been...?" She twisted her fingers. "Is the project progressing well?"
"Proceeding as planned." His gaze flickered to the faint blush on her earlobes. "No need for concern."
"I was worried you might be overworking." She lifted her face, eyes shimmering.
"Your concern is appreciated."
The entire morning, Scarlett shadowed Sebastian like a silent specter.
On the glass walls of the laboratory, their reflections moved in tandem—one leading, the other following.
The moment the elevator swallowed the man's figure, whispers erupted through the lab.
"Did you see? Miss Galatea couldn't take her eyes off Mr. Valdemar."
"This isn't project supervision. It's a courtship."
The next day, when Scarlett arrived with a car full of gifts, the entire laboratory buzzed.
"Rumor says the Galatea heiress has been infatuated with Mr. Valdemar since high school."
"Honestly, it's a perfect match—equal social standing."
"If Mr. Valdemar marries Miss Galatea, our lab benefits might double."
Outside the glass doors, Scarlett smoothed the wrinkles from her skirt.
The corners of her lips curved into a smile of absolute certainty.