The three continued on from the art exhibition and eventually reached the academic buildings.

By then, a handful of students were already leaving the classrooms, likely those who had finished their exams early and turned in their papers ahead of time.

Just then, a middle-aged woman wearing a crisp white blouse, tailored black trousers, and gold-rimmed glasses descended the steps.

The moment she spotted the group, she paused, smiled warmly, and walked over.

Noticing Luca’s questioning look, she stopped before them.

"Miss Vivienne, why didn’t you tell us you were coming to San Fierro University? I’ll send Professor Thompson a message right away."

Vivienne waved the suggestion aside.

"I’m only here with my boyfriend today. There’s no need to trouble Professor Thompson."

Boyfriend?

Mrs. Maria froze for a second.

She had never imagined the chairwoman of Octaveo Pharmaceutical already had someone by her side.

She had even planned to introduce her nephew after he returned from overseas.

Looks like she was too late.

Her gaze naturally shifted toward the man standing beside Vivienne.

One look was enough.

The more she observed him, the more she understood why Vivienne had chosen him. His appearance, confidence, and quiet presence made them look perfectly matched.

With a silent sigh, she gave up the idea of playing matchmaker.

Perhaps it was time to find someone else for her nephew.

Only after Vivienne introduced everyone did Luca learn about their connection.

Octaveo Pharmaceutical had maintained a long-standing partnership with San Fierro University’s biotechnology department.

The company funded research projects, provided laboratory resources, and offered employment opportunities for graduates. In return, many of the university’s pharmaceutical breakthroughs were commercialized through Octaveo.

The two sides had worked together for years, benefiting each other.

Mrs. Maria was an associate professor in the Department of English Literature, while her husband, Professor Thompson, supervised doctoral candidates in the Department of Biology and held considerable influence in the country’s medical research community.

’No wonder Vivienne’s car drove straight through the university gate without registering,’ Luca thought. ’She has connections here.’

"Huh?"

Trish blinked in surprise.

"I enrolled in the English Literature Department."

Mrs. Maria’s eyes brightened.

"Then you’ll be one of my students?"

"That’s right." Trish smiled and nodded. "Rachel enrolled too. She’s my best friend, and we’re in the same major."

"In that case," Mrs. Maria said with a smile, "there’s a good chance you’ll be attending my classes."

Trish had never been to university before and didn’t fully appreciate how valuable a good relationship with a professor could be.

Luca and Vivienne, however, certainly did.

At their suggestion, Trish and Mrs. Maria exchanged contact information.

It wasn’t because Trish needed help finding work after graduation.

Rather, having a professor familiar with her could save her plenty of trouble during her studies. And if she ever decided to pursue a master’s degree, guidance from someone in her own department would be invaluable.

Truthfully, even without their prompting, Mrs. Maria had already planned to stay in touch with Trish.

It wasn’t solely because of Vivienne.

For some reason, she had the distinct feeling that Luca wasn’t an ordinary man.

If anything, he might possess even greater influence than the chairwoman standing beside him.

They politely declined Mrs. Maria’s invitation before continuing to wait nearby.

About five minutes later, a girl with snow-white hair stepped out of the teaching building.

She wore a simple white dress that only made her ethereal beauty stand out even more.

Her expression remained calm and distant, her icy gaze creating an invisible barrier that kept everyone at arm’s length.

Even so, countless students couldn’t help stealing glances in her direction.

"Bro!"

Trish tugged on Luca’s sleeve.

"That girl’s gorgeous."

Following the direction she pointed, both Luca and Vivienne looked over.

The instant Vivienne saw Arabella, she couldn’t hide the flicker of amazement in her eyes.

’She’s stunning.’

Very few women could leave that kind of impression on her.

The last time she’d felt it was when she first met Naomi.

If this girl could evoke the same reaction...

Then she was almost certainly the Arabella who had painted that picture.

The thought had barely crossed her mind before it was confirmed.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Luca smiling at the girl.

As expected.

Vivienne ground her teeth ever so slightly, both amused and exasperated.

She had long accepted that Luca was hopelessly charming when it came to women, but she had to admit...

His standards were incredibly high.

Naomi.

Arabella.

Sophie.

Each one was breathtaking.

Amelia, with her innocent eyes and graceful hourglass figure, was just as beautiful.

Even Cecelia, whose looks were only slightly behind the others, possessed the irresistible elegance of a sophisticated socialite.

That unique charm was something even Vivienne couldn’t imitate.

All she could think was...

This man really knows how to collect every type of beauty.

A sweet campus sweetheart.

A graceful artist.

An aloof beauty.

An elegant CEO.

A mature enchantress.

Most people would spend a lifetime hoping to meet just one.

Luca somehow ended up with all of them.

It was unbelievable.

At the same time, Arabella noticed them as well.

The surprise in her eyes lasted only a heartbeat before fading the moment she saw Vivienne standing beside Luca.

Rather than walk away, she simply looked in another direction, pretending she hadn’t seen them.

’If I don’t acknowledge them, then I don’t have to think about it.’

Just as she was about to continue on her way, Luca stepped forward and gently caught her wrist.

"Arabella."

She stopped but didn’t struggle.

She simply stood there without turning around.

"Arabella."

Only after hearing him call her name a second time did she slowly face him.

Even now, her composure never wavered.

"Luca."

Her gaze shifted briefly toward Vivienne before returning to him.

"Aren’t you worried your girlfriend will misunderstand if you hold my hand like this?"

She had already seen photos of Trish, so she immediately recognized the younger girl beside them as Luca’s sister.

That left only one possibility for the elegant woman standing nearby.

Even spoken in her usual calm tone, the remark carried an unmistakable hint of jealousy.

Luca, however, missed it completely.

"I sent you a message," he explained. "Vivienne wanted to meet you."

The moment she heard Vivienne’s name, Arabella remembered who she was.

Before applying to San Fierro University, her family had researched many of the city’s major companies.

Octaveo Pharmaceutical had naturally been among them.

She had seen Vivienne’s photograph before.

Seeing her in person, though...

She was even more beautiful.

Taking out her phone, Arabella checked her messages.

Sure enough, there was one from Luca inviting her to dinner, mentioning that Vivienne and Trish would both be there.

"I was studying for my exam," she said softly. "I wasn’t looking at my phone."

Luca smiled.

"That’s fine."

He looked at her expectantly.

"So... will you come?"

Arabella hesitated.

She genuinely didn’t know what to do.

After all, Vivienne was Luca’s girlfriend.

Wouldn’t joining them feel... inappropriate?

Before she could answer, Vivienne walked over with an easy smile.

"Little sis Arabella."

She spoke gently.

"May I call you that?"

Arabella gave a small nod.

"...Mm."

"The moment I saw you," Vivienne continued warmly, "I thought you were beautiful. I have a feeling we’ll get along well."

Trish quickly stepped in, eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Bella, you look like a angel! Come with us!"

Faced with such genuine warmth, Arabella found herself unable to refuse.

She gave another small nod.

"...Okay."

From her very first impression, Vivienne seemed kind and approachable.

And deep down...

She wanted to ask her something.

How had they both fallen for the same man?

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