StarNovelThe ribbon-cutting ceremony on stage kicked off in a flash when Brandon snipped through the ribbon, and the place erupted with
applause and cheers louder than thunder.
After Zachary and Alex gave their brief thank-yous, the ceremony finally started winding down. Brandon headed back to the head
table with Zachary and crew, and they all dove into the feast amid a chorus of congratulations.
Once Zachary and Alex's fam did the rounds, thanking everyone and exchanging pleasantries, they finally got to park their butts
back at the main table and dig into sgrub.
As the meal went on, the thick air of business back-patting gradually turned into a free-for-all of casual chit-chat.
Zachary was in high spirits today, knocking back a few too many shots of whisky. Jolin, worried about his health, urged him to take
it easy on the booze, but no dice - she ended up so ticked off; she just snatched the cup right out of his hand.
Zachary just chuckled and let her do her thing, "See, this is the downside of getting hitched - zero freedom to booze it up. You
young guns have it made, single and no one to answer to, total freedom."
Then, he switched gears, "But hey, when the right one comes along, you still gotta tie the knot." He started grilling the others,
"Don, you hitched yet?"
Don, called out, quickly grinned back, "Nope, swamped with work, no tfor that."
Zachary laughed, "You're just like Brandon, always using work as an excuse."
Then, he turned to Ivan, "What about you? Got a special someone? You aren't getting any younger."
Brandon paused mid-sip, glancing at Ivan, who was looking at Zachary, "Not yet, no rush."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBrandon shot a look at Sophia. Sophia suddenly felt like a deer in headlights, too chicken to meet Brandon's gaze.
Zachary, oblivious to her, frowned at lvan's single status, "How cno girlfriend? Too picky, or maybe there's already someone
you have a crush on?"
Ivan just chuckled, keeping mum.
Zachary sensed a story brewing, "Aha, | knew it! You've got a crush. Spill the beans - who's the lucky girl? Maybe | know her."
Everyone's eyes swiveled to Ivan at his words.
Don was just nosy. Brandon's brow furrowed ever so slightly, his grip on his cup tightening.
He glanced at Sophia, and in her eyes, he saw confusion. She was clueless about Ivan's feelings for her.
Ivan, too, shot Sophia a look - one that made her heart race for no good reason. She couldn't quite decipher the look, but it
seemed loaded with unspoken words, a look from Ivan she'd never seen before.
She'd known Ivan for years, but they'd always been just cordial, nothing deep. But his meaningful glance got her all flustered, her
hands fumbling with the tableware.
Luckily, Ivan didn't spill the beans, simply saying with a smile, "I'll introduce you when the time's right."
Pretty much confirming he had someone on his mind.
Zachary was over the moon, "Well, I'll be looking forward to your wedding!"
Ivan just smiled, not biting.
Zachary's thoughts turned to Sophia, "And what about you, Sophia? When's your big day?"
He then joked with the crowd, "I was thinking of playing matchmaker with Sophia and Brandon, but they both said no go. No
worries, I'll find someone else for you."
Turning to Brandon, he added, "Oh, one of my colleagues has a daughter about your age, nice girl. | should set you up."
Don jumped in with a laugh, "Mr. Gardner, don't steal my thunder! | just lined up someone for Brandon, tailored to his tastes.
They're supposed to meet any day now."
Sophia's soup spoon paused midair, then she went back to her bowl like nothing happened. Brandon glanced at Sophia, who was
nonchalantly sipping her soup.
Zachary, none the wiser, was pleased, "Really? That's great news."
Brandon just smiled, keeping mum.
Zachary, still a bit bummed about him and Sophia not clicking, couldn't help but add, "I thought either you or Ivan would be a good
match for Sophia, but looks like one's got his own preferences and the other's heart is taken. Such a shame."
Sophia glanced up awkwardly, "Mr. Gardner."
Zachary thought she was just shy, chuckling, "Alright, alright, I'll drop it. I'll find someone else for you."
Ivan, as if mustering all his courage, put down his tableware and faced Zachary, "Mr. Gardner, the one | have feelings for is Sophia.
No need for match-making."
Not waiting for any response from neither Zachary Nor Sophia, Ivan turned to her and continued, "Sophia, | fancy you. I've had
feelings for you since | was your college student supervisor."
Sophia kept silent.
Ivan went on, "I was planning to find the right moment to tell you; this isn't exactly the perfect setting for a confession, but | didn't
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmwant the professor to play Cupid anymore, so I'm just laying it out. | don't mind your past."
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