Professor Cheney and his assistant were both left outside. Only Leila Jennings went in alone.

Professor Cheney was a little worried about Leila Jennings. When the assistant asked him to leave, he only took a couple of steps back and continued to wait by the door.

The assistant didn’t press the issue and went about his business.

Professor Cheney recalled that on the way over, Leila Jennings had mentioned Sarah Lynch was also here. ’There’s nothing major going on at the institute right now, so what is an external consultant like Sarah Lynch—who isn’t even involved with core data—doing here?’

His suspicion piqued, he began to look around.

And sure enough, he spotted the bright hem of a skirt around a corner. Moving a little closer, he saw high heels, which confirmed his suspicion.

Few people at the institute dressed up like Sarah Lynch. After all, when things got busy, everyone was spinning like a top. And when they weren’t busy, all they wanted was to go home and spend more time with family and friends. Who had the time for this?

"Ms. Lynch?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Sarah Lynch’s back went rigid. She scrambled to hide her phone, but in her panic, she fumbled, and it fell to the floor instead of going into her bag.

The screen lit up, displaying the photo she had just surreptitiously taken.

It was the only one that managed to capture Leila Jennings in profile.

Unfortunately, the woman in the photo was wearing a white mask that covered most of her face. Her gaze was lowered, and a few stray strands of hair obscured her forehead.

Unless one knew her very well, it would be impossible to recognize her from that profile alone.

Professor Cheney bent down and picked up the phone himself.

Sarah Lynch was a nervous wreck. Personal phones were forbidden inside the institute, and photography was strictly prohibited.

Although Professor Cheney’s rank wasn’t as high as her grandfather’s, it was far above hers. He was a senior, not like the others on the project team whom she could easily push around.

"Professor Cheney, I... I came with my grandfather and forgot to turn my phone off."

At a time like this, Sarah Lynch had no choice but to play the grandfather card.

’Everyone says Professor Cheney is kind and diplomatic,’ she thought. ’He wouldn’t strain our relationship over a single photo, would he?’

"I see. It’s no problem, just remember for next time." Professor Cheney smiled. He deleted the surreptitious photos from her phone, emptied the recycling bin, and then handed it back. "You didn’t capture anything important anyway," he said. "The phone just slipped, that’s all."

Sarah Lynch breathed a sigh of relief. Taking the phone, she saw that the photos she’d just taken were completely unrecoverable. A flicker of anger ignited within her, but she kept a beaming smile on her face. "Thank you, Professor Cheney."

"Was that Dr. Jennings with you just now? I’ve heard so much about her but have never had the chance to meet."

"It was." Professor Cheney smiled. "Dr. Jennings is quite busy, so it’s not surprising that you haven’t met her, Ms. Lynch. Many people in the institute never get to see her. Of course, no one would dare force a meeting. After all, that could easily trigger an investigation."

He aimed that last sentence squarely at Sarah Lynch.

A chill of belated fear ran down Sarah Lynch’s spine. If Professor Cheney reported that she had been taking photos inside the institute—of Dr. Jennings, no less—both she and her grandfather would be placed under investigation.

"Professor Cheney is right. I have something to attend to, so I’ll be going now." Sarah Lynch had no choice but to leave, though she kept glancing back over her shoulder as she walked away.

She had planned to wait for Leila to come out and try for a better picture, since her first attempt was blurry. But with Professor Cheney standing guard, that was no longer an option.

Sarah Lynch retreated in defeat.

......

「In the office.」

Mr. Jacobs began by praising Leila Jennings, saying the project wouldn’t have come this far without her indispensable contributions.

Then, his tone shifted. He added that the project’s success was also due to the hard work of every single researcher.

Leila Jennings wholeheartedly agreed. She went on to detail the responsibilities and performance of each team member, conspicuously omitting any mention of Sarah Lynch.

Mr. Jacobs’s expression changed slightly. "And Ms. Lynch? She’s been here for a month now. Surely she has injected many new ideas into the project."

"It hasn’t been a full month yet." As for the supposed "new ideas," Leila Jennings refrained from commenting. She was afraid the truth might anger the old man.

’Sarah Lynch came in every day, impeccably dressed, and sat there like an exquisite, beautiful vase.’

’But project data is stored on hard drives, not in vases.’

"Leila Jennings, you’re too much like your mentor," Mr. Jacobs said, his gaze heavy as he stared at her. "A young person like you shouldn’t be walking down someone else’s old path."

Mr. Thorne was what everyone called an academic fanatic, pouring his entire soul into his research. He was blunt and outspoken, which meant he’d made no shortage of enemies among the academic elite.

Leila Jennings feigned ignorance and said earnestly, "If I can one day reach the same position my mentor has, I would be very proud."

"You!" Mr. Jacobs didn’t want to spar with her any longer. "Leila Jennings, don’t be foolish. Thorne isn’t afraid of making enemies because his own position is high enough to protect him. But you..."

"Thank you for the advice, Mr. Jacobs."

It was like talking to a brick wall.

With a flick of his hand, Mr. Jacobs threw himself into his chair and issued a direct order. "Ms. Lynch needs to see the project’s core data. You will take it to her personally."

"She was not a full participant in this project, so she is not entitled to the core data," Leila Jennings refused, her voice calm but firm. "Giving her access would be a betrayal of everyone else’s blood, sweat, and tears."

"Who objects? Tell me. I’d like to hear it," Mr. Jacobs said, his face a mask of disbelief.

Leila Jennings, of course, would not drag her team members into this. "I do," she said firmly.

"No one else objects, so what grounds do you have to object? Leila Jennings, you’re just an orphan. I’m not being unreasonable like some people, demanding you give up your position as project lead and first author. I’m just asking you to let Ms. Lynch take a look at the core data!"

Mr. Jacobs was furious.

Leila Jennings was unmoved. "You can give Ms. Lynch the core data. But if you do, I will walk away from this institute, taking the project and its patents with me."

Mr. Jacobs’s eyes widened in shock.

"Are you threatening me?"

"You threatened me first, Mr. Jacobs." Leila Jennings maintained a perfectly courteous demeanor as she turned his own words back on him. "Mr. Jacobs, you inserted Ms. Lynch into my project, and I wasn’t unreasonable. I didn’t report it, as some people might have. I am just asking that Ms. Lynch not be given access to the core data."

Mr. Jacobs was so enraged he could barely breathe, his chest heaving violently.

Leila Jennings asked, "Shall I call a doctor for you?"

"Get out!" Mr. Jacobs jabbed a finger toward the door.

Leila Jennings turned and walked out, Mr. Jacobs’s shouts following her.

"Leila Jennings, you have the makings of a fine researcher, but you won’t last long in the world of academia!"

"After this project, let’s see who dares to fund your work!"

"Young lady, burning your bridges will do you no—"

The door shut.

’Finally, some peace and quiet.’

Leila Jennings took a deep breath and walked over to Professor Cheney.

Professor Cheney immediately stepped in front of her. He quickly took the mask she had looped around her wrist and put it on her face, looking as if he wished it were big enough to cover everything but her eyes.

"Professor Cheney, what is it?"

"Sarah Lynch was just secretly taking pictures of you," Professor Cheney said. "You need to be more careful lately. Cover up well, and remember to change your clothes when you enter and leave the institute. You absolutely cannot let her figure out who you are. If she and Sean Sinclair team up... I’m afraid they’ll come after you for the experimental data and the chance to make a name for themselves."

"Accessing the database requires your fingerprint and iris scan. You must protect your hands and your eyes, do you understand?"