“This is incredible work! But... are you sure you’re ready for the research institute? Life there can be dull, you know. Experiments and data, day in and day out—can you handle the isolation?”
I nodded, the memory of Vincent’s condescending attitude in the car still fresh in my mind.
I straightened my posture and spoke with quiet determination. “Don’t worry, Professor. I won’t lose your face.”
“You?” He chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re one of the best—handpicked for this role by the government itself! Let me be clear: I’m the lucky one to have you on my team.”
Leaving his office, I spotted my junior colleague scowling in the window.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Miss Claire,” she fumed, “wasn’t that your boyfriend I just saw outside? He was sharing a cup of bubble tea with a woman! That’s so inappropriate—doesn’t he care about boundaries? Isn’t this basically betrayal?”
I smiled faintly. “It’s fine. That’s his… sister.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Sister?”
I understood her disbelief. Vincent had lost both his parents when he was young and Zoe’s family had taken pity on him, offering him shelter. Later, when Vincent became successful, he naturally helped Zoe, his so-called sister.