(Author's POV)
After dinner, Dr. North politely declined Professor Walsh's invitation to stay longer, said his goodbyes, and left. Phineas followed shortly after, walking Eleanor to her car. That left Aurora alone with the professor, which was, she realized, exactly how it had worked out. She had spent the tail end of dinner calculating whether to leave first or wait - and then the decision had made itself.
Professor Walsh closed the front door and turned back toward the sitting room. "Come on. I'll make coffee."
Aurora followed him into the study instead, where he poured two cups from the carafe on his desk and handed one to her without asking if she wanted it.
"The money from Jasper," he said, settling into his chair. "How is that going?"
"He transferred part of it already," Aurora
