Cindy Lynn wasn’t all that important, but since she was introduced by Julian Poole, his face had to be saved to some extent. Tanya noticed that Sam Sawyer seemed to have someone else to attend to, so she said warmly, "Mr. Sawyer, if you’re busy, go ahead with your work. Just let us know the location of Professor Carter’s office, and we can go there ourselves." The phone in his hand was urgently buzzing, so Sam Sawyer could only apologize, "I’m sorry, both of you, Professor Carter’s office is just ahead, take a left turn. I need to head out for a bit." With that, he turned around and went downstairs while picking up the phone. Tanya and Belinda continued walking forward, not catching the last part of the call. Seeing that there was no one else around, Belinda moved close to Tanya and whispered in her ear, "Sam Sawyer went to meet someone with connections at the top." She looked at Belinda incredulously, "How do you know?" Belinda calmly pointed to her glasses, "All four of my eyes saw it — Sam Sawyer had noted the person as ’Relations Contact.’ Previously, she thought Belinda was quite aloof, but once familiar, she turned out to be quite a gossip. Tanya wasn’t interested in other people’s business, though she did occasionally glance around somewhat nervously. She was secretly hoping to encounter Professor Truman and her senior brothers and sisters here... After all, when she saw Professor Carter and Professor Truman leaving The Thirteen Courses together last time, it was definitely not just about having a meal. The two might be planning further collaboration. But as she approached Professor Carter’s office, she peeked inside nervously, only to find Professor Carter alone. She felt a slight tinge of disappointment and knocked lightly, "Professor Carter." "Tanya!" Professor Carter had just finished his call, and seeing Tanya at the door, his previously furrowed brows broke into a smile as he welcomed her warmly. Watching her idol come to life and walk up to her, Belinda was so nervous that she didn’t know where to put her hands, secretly tugging at Tanya’s sleeve. "Oh my god, oh my god, I can’t breathe! It’s Professor Carter, a living Professor Carter!" Tanya helplessly chuckled, "Calm down, Manager Belinda." Belinda beamed a bright smile at the approaching Professor Carter, leaning over to Tanya’s ear, whispering, "From now on, call me Ms. Belinda, calling me Manager Belinda is too formal!" Alright, alright, I guess she’s riding on Professor Carter’s coattails. "Hello, Professor Carter, I’m Belinda. I admire you greatly!" Belinda restrained her excitement, her outstretched hands slightly trembling as she reached to shake Professor Carter’s hands. Used to fans, Professor Carter politely nodded at her, then turned to Tanya. "Professor Carter," Tanya reached out first, bowing slightly in a junior’s demeanor as they shook hands. She smiled and said, "Last time outside the restaurant, I didn’t get the chance to properly greet you." Professor Vincent Carter found Tanya’s appearance increasingly pleasing today, she was neatly put together in a well-fitted white shirt, blue jeans, her hair tied back with a blue silk scarf, giving a refreshingly clean look. Her face was barely made-up, just a light foundation with lipstick to add a touch of color, carrying a discreet white shoulder bag containing two documents. Indeed, just as Old Master Truman had praised her, such a talented but down-to-earth and unassuming mind is indeed rare! No wonder Old Truman always treasured Tanya! "No need to stand around, come in and have a seat." With a smile, Professor Carter led both of them into his spacious but sparse office — just a large table, some chairs, a water dispenser, four chalkboards, and books piled to the ceiling. Tanya couldn’t help but think of Professor Truman’s office looking much the same. The older generation who diligently engage in scientific research genuinely don’t care about worldly possessions, their mind solely focused on making achievements for the nation and the people, which is their lifelong pursuit. "Professor Carter, will Professor Truman and the others... come here today?" Tanya couldn’t hold back from asking. How could Professor Carter not understand Tanya’s thoughts? He sighed, "Last night I invited Old Truman to come have a look at the research base, and join for lunch. But he declined." Tanya lowered her head, smirking self-deprecatingly, "The Professor just doesn’t want to see me." Professor Carter patted her shoulder comfortingly, "Don’t worry, you’re younger than him, what does it matter? He can’t hold a grudge forever, to the point of dying with regret, can he?" Such blunt words, perhaps only Professor Carter would dare say them. Tanya was amused, feeling much lighter. "By the way, Professor Carter," Tanya pulled out the documents from her bag and handed them over, "I reviewed The Veridia Project in advance, and based on the data you’ve made public, I’ve done some analysis. I’ve roughly identified the core issues you’re currently facing and outlined several theoretically feasible solution paths. Professor, if you don’t mind, please take a look." She had a bit of insomnia last night and couldn’t sleep well, so she got up and worked until dawn. Professor Carter was willing to help her, out of kindness, not obligation. Repaying him, she could only use her reasonably good brain. Professor Carter was both surprised and delighted, "Oh, you! You’re just too honest! I... oh, I don’t know what to say, really!" As he said this, he accepted the documents Tanya handed over and began flipping through them, each page he read, his eyes sparkled brighter! He’s definitely found a treasure!! Professor Carter put away the documents and turned to take out a pile of materials from under the office desk, placing them in front of Tanya. "Tanya, you take a look at these first. I’ll take your friend here to the warehouse to check on the experimental materials you need!" Professor Carter turned to Belinda, momentarily forgetting her name, so he simply moved on, "Let’s go." Belinda, beyond excited, immediately followed, "Alright, Professor Carter!" Being able to be alone with her idol, there was no way she’d say no! She threw a flying kiss back at Tanya. Tanya, seeing such a lively side of Belinda for the first time, couldn’t help but laugh. Then she picked up the materials in front of her, focusing on reading them. Anyway, she genuinely intended to collaborate with Professor Carter’s side, and preparation is always beneficial... Meanwhile, elsewhere. Cindy Lynn and Vincent Hawthorne, led by Sam Sawyer, also came in. This is the research center base of the National S-level Project. Cindy Lynn walked behind, glancing around. If her phone hadn’t been taken away, she’d have loved to take some photos. Participating in a National S-level project would add significant weight to her personal brand! "Senior Brother Sawyer, what place is that?" Cindy Lynn pointed curiously at a semi-circular arched building not far away. Get full chapters from 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝕟𝕖𝕥 Sam Sawyer barely perceptibly frowned upon hearing the familiar ’Senior Brother Sawyer’ but couldn’t openly refute a guest’s face. He glanced in the direction Cindy Lynn was pointing, and said flatly, "Sorry, Ms. Lynn, that’s a restricted area. It’s inconvenient to explain to you." Cindy Lynn raised an eyebrow and said tactfully, "Sorry, it’s just my curiosity got the better of me." Her attitude was good, which made Sam Sawyer wonder if his tone had been too harsh. He turned back to glance at Cindy Lynn, who responded with a smile. Although she was a connected person and a bit forward, her temperament seemed quite gentle. Under Sam Sawyer’s guidance, they reached a meeting room on the second floor. Sam Sawyer poured them a glass of water and politely said, "The contract should be ready soon. I’ll go urge them. Later, you two can go over the contract, and if there are no issues, you can sign it." Vincent Hawthorne asked, "May I know where Professor Carter is?" Sam Sawyer was a bit baffled, "Professor Carter is in the office upstairs." They were just handling auxiliary materials for the project, and all the contracts were signed with him. Was there really a need to meet Professor Carter? Vincent Hawthorne wanted to say something more. Cindy Lynn quickly interjected, "Senior Brother Sawyer, please go prepare the contract first. Signing today is the most important thing. We’ll wait for you here." After Sam Sawyer left, Cindy Lynn explained to Vincent Hawthorne, "Vincent, I forgot to tell you, Professor Carter mentioned to me over the phone that he’s especially busy today and has no time to eat with us. After we sign the contract, we’ll have Senior Brother Sawyer stamp it with the project seal and pass it on for Professor Carter to sign." Vincent Hawthorne frowned upon hearing this. "So we won’t see Ethan Carter today?" He had carefully dressed up specifically to meet Ethan Carter and have a meal to network. Cindy Lynn consoled, "We’ll be working with Professor Carter on the same project in the future, so there’ll be plenty of opportunities to interact. Getting a meal together shouldn’t be hard!" Though a bit dissatisfied with the futile trip, Vincent Hawthorne could only let it go, "Then we’ll wait for next time." Cindy Lynn noticed Vincent Hawthorne was somewhat unhappy and reached out to hold his hand. "Vincent, I’ll help arrange for you to meet with Professor Carter privately next time, so don’t be upset, okay?" Vincent Hawthorne: "..." The woman before him was wholly focused on him, and her work ability was outstanding. Vincent Hawthorne couldn’t help but compare her to Tanya. Cindy Lynn wasn’t any worse than Tanya, and her family background was much better... A cold voice of Tanya unexpectedly emerged in his mind. ’Vincent, I genuinely don’t love you anymore.’ A thread of anger seeped into his chest. Tanya, it’s your fault for being unappreciative and not cherishing what you have! You can’t blame me now! Vincent Hawthorne lowered his eyes, looking at Cindy Lynn’s small hand clasping his hand, and gently rubbed her soft skin with his thumb. "Alright. Cindy, you’ve worked hard lately. After next week’s shareholder meeting, I’ll make it up to you." Cindy Lynn blushed and shyly pulled her hand back. "Vincent, I’ll just head to the washroom." She picked up her bag, walked out of the office, but instead of heading to the washroom, went straight to the third floor! She’d heard from Julian Poole before that Professor Ethan Carter’s office was on the third floor. Since she was here today, she couldn’t just let it go to waste, she needed to strengthen her connection with Professor Carter! She’d actually pleaded with Julian Poole, but his attitude towards her was no longer as accommodating as before! Cindy Lynn climbed the stairs, grinding her teeth in resentment. It had to be because of that bitch Tanya whispering in Julian Poole’s ear! A second-hand woman with two children from a previous marriage, she really couldn’t understand what made Tanya so captivating to Julian Poole? Could it be her skills in bed? Cindy Lynn considered sinisterly. Ahead, the sign for Professor Carter’s office appeared. She immediately put on the sweetest, most innocent smile, took a box of specially prepared expensive supplements from her bag, and headed for Professor Carter’s office. "Professor Carter..." However, the office was empty. Behind her, Tanya, having just returned from fetching water next door, leaned against the doorway, coldly watching Cindy Lynn’s probing figure. Daughter of Shelly Sullivan, twenty years ago, on that rainy day, she was the ’princess’ sitting in the car, with those malicious eyes at such a young age. ’You’re so filthy, who would want a child like you?’ ’That’s my father, you don’t even have a father! My mom said it, you and your mom are unwanted trash... If you dare to compete with me for my father, I’ll kill you!’ Tanya expressionlessly pulled a pen from her pocket and tossed it to the ground, the pen silently rolled toward Cindy Lynn. Then she unhurriedly spoke up, "Cindy Lynn."