Chapter 74 He is Grayson
Sloane's POV
Hearing this, the anticipation I'd felt about the academic conference was instantly soured by his question.
David? Why would he suddenly bring up David?
That blunt, probing tone got under my skin."David's not going," I turned around, meeting his unfathomable gaze, answering clearly, word by word, "It's just Jessie and me."
As soon as I finished speaking, I clearly felt the arm around my waist loosen a bit.
It was a change from tense to relaxed, almost imperceptible, yet I caught it keenly.
He looked like a wild animal, calm on the surface, but having already marked its territory.
Was he jealous?
On impulse, I lifted my head, meeting his scrutinizing gaze, the corners of my lips curving into a faint smile, carrying a hint of testing that even I hadn't noticed, "Are you jealous?"
The air froze for a moment.
I thought he would cover it up with coldness or sarcasm like before, or simply dismiss it with disdain.
But he just looked at me quietly for a few seconds, emotions churning in those deep eyes. Finally, his Adam's apple bobbed, and a low "Mm" emerged from deep in his throat.
One word, crisp and decisive, without a hint of hesitation.
I was completely stunned.
My heart felt like it had been lightly bumped by that single word, instantly skipping a beat.
I'd imagined all his possible reactions, except for him admitting it so frankly.
This frankness caught me off guard, and my cheeks began to heat up uncontrollably.
I opened my mouth, wanting to ask if he was joking, but looking at those overly serious eyes, all my words got stuck in my throat.
Just as this subtle awkwardness was about to drown me, he suddenly leaned down, pressed a gentle kiss on my lips, then straightened up, his tone returning to its usual calm and commanding manner, "Get ready, I'll take you to the hospital."
"Okay."
The car stopped smoothly at the hospital entrance, where Jessie was already waiting like a lively little bird.
Jared unbuckled my seatbelt, his gaze falling on my face as he reminded me, "Call me if anything comes up."
"I know." I nodded and pushed open the door.
"Wow, Sloane, Jared personally drove you here?" Jessie immediately came over, her eyes sparkling as they darted between us, her tone full of barely concealed gossip and suggestiveness, "Did you two make up?"
I didn't answer, just looked back at Jared in the car. He was watching me through the window, his gaze focused and gentle. I waved at him, and only then did he start the car and leave.
Not until that black Bentley disappeared into the traffic did I withdraw my gaze.
"Let's go." I met Jessie's curious look, didn't deny it, just smiled faintly.
Jessie immediately understood, happily linking her arm through mine, chattering excitedly about the upcoming academic conference.
The venue was at a five-star hotel in the city center. The scene was elegant and sophisticated, gathering top experts and scholars in neurosurgery from home and abroad, the air thick with an elite atmosphere.
This was Jessie's first time attending a conference of this level. She was both excited and nervous, like a kid in a candy store, finding everything fascinating.
She quickly struck up conversations with several young doctors, but every few minutes, she'd run back to my side like a little tail.
"Sloane, what do you think about the new target for Alzheimer's that professor just mentioned? I think there might be some problems with his experimental design."
"Sloane, look, that's Professor Hans from Germany. I've read his monograph three times!"
I patiently answered her questions, my gaze calmly sweeping across the venue. Being in such a pure academic atmosphere, I felt a long-lost sense of relaxation and ease.
Just then, I suddenly felt a gaze land on me.
My heart tightened, and I instinctively looked back in that direction.
The venue was brightly lit and noisy with voices.
My gaze passed through unfamiliar face after unfamiliar face, finally settling on an inconspicuous shadow in a corner of the venue.
A man stood there, his appearance and figure unclear.
But those eyes, across that distant space, clearly crashed into my field of vision.
What kind of eyes were they?
Bright, calm, carrying a trace of lingering melancholy, like the deep sea, like cold stars.
My breathing stopped in an instant.
How could this be...
The sounds of the world seemed to fade away in that moment, leaving only my drumming heartbeat.
My mind went blank. All reason and composure crumbled the instant I saw those eyes.
Grayson...
Was it him?
As if bewitched, my feet moved uncontrollably toward that direction.
"Sloane? What are you thinking about? Your face has gone pale!" Jessie's voice was like a thunderclap, jolting me out of my daze. She grabbed my arm, looking at me with concern.
I snapped back to reality. When I looked toward that corner again, it was empty, as if the heart-stopping eye contact just now was merely a hallucination born from excessive longing.
"Look, that's Professor Smith!" Jessie, completely oblivious to my state, excitedly pointed toward a white-haired but energetic elderly man not far away. "I heard he really appreciated that paper you published on neural regeneration induction. He's been looking our way! Sloane, go say hello!"
Before I could react, Jessie had already half-pushed, half-pulled me in front of the legendary expert.
"Dr. Winslow," Professor Smith saw me and showed an appreciative smile, extending his hand proactively. "I've heard so much about you. Your insights on neurovascular repair are very unique and have given me much inspiration."
Facing praise from a senior in the field, I was somewhat distracted.
I responded politely, but my thoughts were completely occupied by those eyes from earlier.
Was it real? Or was it another illusion?
The emotions in that gaze were too complex for me to decipher.
"...your surgical approach broke convention, truly remarkable." Professor Smith continued praising me enthusiastically.
But I couldn't hear a single word anymore.
Those eyes were like a thorn stuck in my heart, making me restless.
I had to go confirm.
"Thank you so much for your recognition, Professor Smith." I forced myself to produce a proper smile, interrupting him. "I'm sorry, please excuse me for a moment."
Then I turned to the confused Jessie, making up the lamest excuse. "I need to use the restroom."