Chapter 47 James ' Rage Finished James smirked and flashed his student ID . " Here , open your eyes and take a good look . I'm a member of Mr. Flint's research team . I told you already , but you just had to waste our time and turn this into a scene- " Before he could finish , Oriana had already gathered her things and walked right past him . The men's expressions hardened . They immediately blocked her way . " You didn't hand it over . Where do you think you're going ? " Oriana met his stare head - on , her lips curling slightly . " I told you , no . " Even if Mr. Flint himself came , my answer would be the same ." Without another glance at their outraged faces , she strode away . " Fine . Perfect . Oriana , right ? Just you wait ." Leaving the logistics office , Oriana let out a heavy breath before a faint , self - mocking smile tugged at her mouth . She had come to Jindiwood University Medical College hoping for one last chance - to become a student under Cormac Flint . Yet on her very first day , she had offended his people . Still , she didn't regret it . James ' behavior was something she couldn't and wouldn't condone . Quickening her steps , Oriana reached the Traditional Medicine Department . She knocked on the office door , only to find it empty inside . After checking the time , she waited for half an hour until a young woman hurried in . Oriana recognized her - it was the same student from the logistics office . " Oh , so you're Mr. Harris ' TA ? I thought you worked for someone else ," the girl said brightly , her face lighting up . " I'm Lily Martinez . I'm one of the TAs , too . " Oriana extended her hand . " I'm Oriana . " " I remember your name . " Lily grasped her hand eagerly . " You were amazing back there . If they had forced me , I wouldn't have had a clue what to do ." 1/3 8:32 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 47 James ' Rage Finished Her face brimmed with admiration , though worry soon crept in . " But Mr. Flint is notorious for protecting his own . You stood up to James like that . I'm afraid you might- " " It's fine . If Mr. Flint really wants to come after me for James ' sake , I won't be afraid ." Glancing around the office , Oriana asked , " Doesn't Mr. Harris have a class today ? " Lily gave an awkward laugh . " He does , but he almost never shows . The TAS handle lectures and exams . " " There used to be another senior TA who covered the classes , but she quit last week . It's just been me since then . Thank God you showed up , Oriana . I finally have someone by my side ." She looked at Oriana the way a traveler lost in the desert might look at an oasis . " You have no idea - when I'm up there , I shake like crazy . Asking me to lecture is like asking me to die . I don't think I can keep this up much longer . " Recalling how helpless Lily had looked earlier , surrounded by James and his friends , Oriana could easily imagine what she was like on stage . " I'm still new , but I'll do my best to catch up quickly , " Oriana reassured her . Lily's eyes lit up . She clasped her hands together . " That's wonderful . Don't worry . I've already prepared materials and lesson plans . You can use them anytime . As long as I don't have to get up there and speak , I'll handle anything else . " Oriana exhaled softly . With Lily's help , she got her information registered and received the day's teaching materials . Lily really had done a thorough job - the notes were so complete that Oriana could practically walk in and lecture on the spot . The two clicked instantly . When the bell rang , they headed together toward the lecture hall . ***** Meanwhile , James and his group stormed back into the lab , fuming . ي " James , calm down , " one of them urged . " Calm down ? " James snapped , then kicked a chair so hard it rolled forward across the floor . It came to an abrupt stop when a white - coated figure casually stuck out a leg to block it. James froze , springing upright at once , his fury vanishing . He bowed his head respectfully . 213 8:32 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 47 James ' Rage " Leo ? " The others quickly echoed him in greeting . 699 Finished Leo Ridge's calm gaze shifted from the chair to James ' face . " I heard your voice from halfway across the building ." " Leo , it wasn't my fault ," James muttered , then launched into a dramatic retelling of the logistics office incident , adding his own twists along the way . " Tell me , Leo - don't you think Oriana did it on purpose , just to humiliate me ? " Leo thought for a moment . " Probably . " James brightened - only for Leo's next words to cut him off . " But she was right . She had no obligation to hand anything over . " The rebuke made James swallow the curse on the tip of his tongue . Still , he bristled . " But I wasn't wrong either . She's just a TA in the Traditional Medicine Department . How could she be more important than our lab ? Applying takes two or three days at most . She could've waited . " And I promised our junior she'd be up to speed the moment she arrived this afternoon . Now I look like a fool . " Leo's brow creased with disapproval . " Wait . You were planning to bring her into the lab today ? " James blinked , caught off guard . " Yeah , why not ? " " Ridiculous . " Leo's voice sharpened . " There are sensitive instruments everywhere , not to mention the biological cultures we're cultivating . And you wanted to bring in someone with zero lab experience ? James , are you an idiot ? " Under Leo's scolding , James didn't dare make a sound . Leo Ridge was Cormac Flint's most brilliant protégé - handpicked as a freshman , mentored straight through to postdoc . Nearly every major breakthrough and published paper from the team in recent years had Leo's name attached . Send Gifts 20 (