After hesitating for a while, Ruby walked over to Nyla's desk.

"Nyla, I'm not dating him. I only agreed to have lunch with him because he got hurt while trying to help me," Ruby said.

Seeing Ruby's cautious expression, Nyla sighed. "Ruby, I just think Sullivan's not a good person, which is why I warned you.

"You don't have to be afraid I'll be upset about your interactions with him. I won't interfere with who you associate with, and I don't have the right to do that."

Ruby finally relaxed, seeing that Nyla didn't seem upset. "Okay. Don't worry. I know what to do."

Nyla nodded. "Then go get ready for the experiment."

"Alright," Ruby replied.

Time flew by while they worked on the experiments. Before long, the morning had passed.

At lunchtime, Sullivan stood waiting outside the lab for Ruby.

Ruby finished packing her notes and turned to leave. Her expression was calm as she said, "Let's go."

Sullivan walked beside her, speaking softly. "Was the experiment tiring?"

"It was fine. What do you want for lunch? I'll go buy it," Ruby asked.

"Anything you're having. Just get me the same," Sullivan answered.

Ruby nodded, still indifferent, not intending to say anything else.

As they reached the elevator, Sullivan suddenly asked, "Ruby, do you really dislike me?"

Ruby lowered her gaze, her tone neutral. "No, you're overthinking it."

"Am I really overthinking it?" Sullivan's voice was soft, almost as if he were talking to himself.noveldrama

The elevator doors opened just then, and Ruby pretended she hadn't heard him. She walked straight into the elevator.

They got off early, and the cafeteria wasn't crowded yet.

Ruby told Sullivan to find a seat while she went to get food. Since his hand was still injured, she ordered two portions of steak and mashed potatoes. While they were eating, Sullivan didn't talk as much as before. He was much quieter.

Ruby didn't mind. After all, she only felt gratitude for him. She couldn't give him what he wanted. She didn't understand how Sullivan could like her either.

"Sullivan, Ruby, can I sit here?" A soft voice came from beside them.

Ruby looked up to find it was Demi, one of Sullivan's team members. She was a bit surprised. She didn't know Demi well and only knew that Tina didn't particularly like her. She hadn't asked why and didn't really care.

"Sure." Sullivan smiled. "You can sit here."

Demi sat down next to Ruby and noticed steak and mashed potatoes in front of Sullivan. She seemed surprised. "Sullivan, didn't you say you hated mashed potatoes?"

Ruby looked up at Sullivan, finally

realizing why he hadn't touched his

mashed potatoes. He had been eating the steak the whole time. If he didn't like it, why hadn't he said something when she brought it over?

UMS

"What do you like? I can go get it for you," Ruby offered.

Sullivan shook his head. "No need. This is fine."

Ruby gripped her fork a bit too tightly, her fingers turning pale as she lowered her gaze and continued eating.

Demi looked between them and, with no intention of keeping quiet, asked, "Sullivan, are you and Ruby dating?"

Before Sullivan could respond, Ruby

net

spoke up. "You misunderstood. I ran into a human trafficker on my way home from work, and Sullivan happened to be there and got hurt trying to help me. That's why I've been having lunch with him, to help him out since his hand's still injured."