All Chapters of Rejected, I Entered a Contract Marriage with a Billionaire: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

"Were you waiting up for me to eat when I called earlier?" he asked suddenly, studying her expression.Caught off guard, she stammered, "N-no, of course not..." while dropping her gaze.Her reaction confirmed his suspicions, making him profoundly glad he chose to cut his work short. "Well, I'm just grateful I made it back in time to taste this masterclass of a dinner.""Work comes first. If you genuinely like it, I can always whip it up again," she smiled."Just keep in mind the flavor profile might shift every time," he teased gently.She didn't offer a verbal comeback, though a soft blush crept up her neck.After finishing their meal and clearing away the dishes, bedtime arrived with its familiar, unspoken tension. Neither brought up where they intended to sleep, but as she walked down the hall toward her room, she noticed footsteps right behind her.Turning around, she met his gaze silently, her face heating up under the intensity

Unfortunately, whether he chose to ignore her or simply didn't hear, he refused to look her way or offer any reply.Though the cold shoulder stung a bit, she had already prepared herself for this kind of reception when she accepted the professor's offer.Opting not to press the issue, she focused on setting up her station for the day's tasks.While the atmosphere remained tense and everyone's mood was somewhat soured, admission to this research group required passing rigorous exams and screenings.That meant they were seasoned professionals who knew how to lock in once the work began. Observing that everyone had settled into their routines after half an hour, the professor quietly left the lab.Today's procedures weren't overly complicated, though wrapping them up still took over five hours of steady work."Let's head out for lunch," a few of the researchers murmured to one another.One of the male students turned toward Elena and ask

"I'd like to know how you managed to secure a spot in that exchange program?" Jack asked, his gaze dropping as a hint of self-consciousness colored his cheeks.Before Elena could formulate a reply, he rushed to soften his words. "Never mind, you don't have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable. Pure curiosity on my part—I applied as well, but my application didn't go through, which is why I was wondering."A gentle smile touched Elena's lips at his explanation. "Everyone has their own perspective, but my advisor did select me. When I asked him why, he mentioned he thought I'd bring fresh perspectives that fit the project's goals."Satisfied by her answer, Jack stood up abruptly, a grin returning to his face. "Of course. Working alongside you lately, it's pretty clear just how talented you are."Elena kept silent. She finished her sandwich in a few quick bites and went straight back to her workstation.Jack wasn't much for small talk. Seeing

"Glad you like it," Adrián responded. "Oh, speaking of which, remember our plans for a short trip? I have two days off starting the day after tomorrow. Let's head over to Angsana Resort. A friend of my father's owns the place—he's invited my parents down a few times, but they've been too busy. He called me today, so I went ahead and booked it."Elena considered the idea for a moment before nodding with a smile. "That sounds wonderful. I'll let my professor know tomorrow that I need a couple of days away.""Settled, then," Adrián said, reaching across the console to take her hand.The evening air carried a warm, romantic serenity. Even after returning home, showering, and settling into bed late at night, the two of them lingered close, holding onto one another.Though they had been married for over two months, their actual time spent sharing a bed had been relatively brief.Overwhelmed by his feelings, Adrián found hi

When the call ended, Adrián checked his screen before looking over at the bed. "Time to wake up, Elena. Remember, we're supposed to be on holiday today."Though she had stirred awake during his conversation, the lingering awkwardness of the previous night made her hesitate to face him. Yet, hearing him address her directly broke the tension, prompting her to sit up."I'll go get cleaned up," Adrián said, glancing her way.She nodded silently, following him with her eyes as he headed toward the bathroom.Since today was dedicated to leisure, both had opted for casual attire. Unsure of what would be appropriate, Elena covertly checked out what Adrián was wearing.He had thrown on a crisp white T-shirt paired with straight-cut jeans, giving off the effortless charm of a university student. Even after all this time, she found herself captivated by how effortlessly handsome he looked, constantly reinventing his style with every outf