Forty minutes later, the taxi stopped at the entrance of Northwood University. After seven years, Tanya Sinclair had returned here once again. She looked up at the golden sign of Northwood University, her heart filled with a myriad of emotions. Students were coming and going by her side. At this prestigious institution, all the youthful faces were filled with spirit and vitality. Tanya seemed to see a reflection of her past self in them. She took a deep breath, composed herself, and went to the security booth at the entrance to register. Official source is NoveIꜰire.net The security guard looked at the name she left behind and exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, you’re also called Tanya Sinclair. You have the same name as a very famous genius who used to study at Northwood University." Tanya smiled without saying much, put down the pen, and turned to head towards Principal Preston’s research institute. The equipment in Principal Preston’s research institute was state-of-the-art. The machine Tanya wanted had been introduced half a year ago. There was a new lab coat in the cabinet. After changing into it, Tanya devoted herself to her experiment without any distractions. When she finished, four hours had passed. She rubbed her stiff neck. Outside the window, the sunset had already painted the sky with hues of evening glow. For a moment, Tanya felt as if she had truly returned to her university days. Back then, she would always stay in the lab or library until the latest hours... Tanya took off the lab coat, changed into her own clothes, and casually picked up her phone, which was set to silent. Only then did she notice two missed calls, both from Serena Holloway. Worried that something urgent had come up, Tanya called back while walking out, and Serena answered instantly, "Boss, you finally answered the phone!" "What’s up?" Tanya asked, bending over to lock the lab door. The door required three locks. Her hand was injured, making it a bit difficult to turn with one hand. "Boss, there’s good news and bad news! The good news is that, for some reason, finance suddenly approved the reimbursement form they had held back for a year! Over twenty grand, I can afford to treat you to dinner now!" Tanya smiled silently and asked, "And the bad news?" At this, Serena’s tone dropped dramatically, lowering her voice in frustration, "Has President Hawthorne gone mad? He suddenly issued a notice this afternoon saying that due to some urgent project task, the equipment procured today is only allowed for use by R&D Division Two recently! Isn’t this evidently just allowing Cindy Lynn to use it?" Serena was furious, feeling it was unfair for Tanya. "Boss, that machine was originally procured in your name. Why should it be assigned to Cindy Lynn? In terms of real skills, Cindy Lynn isn’t even fit to carry your shoes!" Actually, she wanted to say that even in terms of personal relations, at most Cindy Lynn could be considered a secretary or, to put it bluntly, just a mistress. How could she compare to Tanya, the legitimate Mrs. Hawthorne? Yet Vincent Hawthorne’s attitude was evident, blatantly favoring Cindy Lynn. "President Hawthorne indeed!" Serena frowned and whispered her complaint. The idealized image of Vincent Hawthorne she once held was almost shattered! At first, Serena also envied Tanya for being with Vincent Hawthorne. After all, Vincent was exceptional, both in appearance and family background, and he was well-mannered, practically the perfect male protagonist from a romance drama. But later, as she grew closer to Tanya and saw her daily interactions with Vincent, she began to feel it wasn’t worth it for Tanya! In this relationship, Tanya was too humble, while Vincent, seemingly gentle and refined, always exuded an invisible arrogance that made him feel superior. It felt like Tanya wasn’t his girlfriend but rather a servant who could be summoned at will! Instead of being in a relationship, getting married, and having children with someone like him, it would be better to be with an ordinary person who respects and cares for her daily! "Boss, are you alright?" Serena waited for a few seconds, not hearing Tanya’s response and thought she might be too upset to speak. She tactfully suggested, "Why don’t you try talking to President Hawthorne again tonight, maybe there’s some misunderstanding..." She knew how much Tanya loved Vincent Hawthorne and dared not speak too harshly. A misunderstanding, perhaps? The image of Vincent Hawthorne’s indifferent face flashed through Tanya’s mind, making her lips curl in a mocking smirk. Her heart was already numb. She replied calmly, "Don’t worry, our proposal won’t be affected. I’ll handle the data by Saturday. You should go off work first." "Okay, but contact me anytime you need anything, Boss." Tanya put down the phone. The key she struggled to finish turning the three-layer lock with was still stuck in the keyhole, as her injured hand couldn’t pull it out. After hanging up the call, she used both hands and finally managed to pull the key free. She was jolted back a few steps from the force when suddenly a hand supported her from behind her shoulder. Just as Tanya was about to turn around, she heard a hesitant and shocked voice she had heard many times before. This title was so distant to Tanya. So distant it seemed like it belonged to a previous life. She slowly turned around and, upon seeing Senior Brother Harrison Langdon, her eyes instantly reddened. "Senior Brother Langdon..." And the woman next to him, Tanya naturally also recognized. It was her Senior Sister—Celine Nash. "Senior Sister..." Tanya called out. Celine Nash hadn’t changed much, still wearing a white lab coat, with her hair tied in a medium-height ponytail at the back of her head, exuding a cool academic aura. Her pupils dilated for a moment upon recognizing Tanya’s face, but the next instant she turned cold again, not even responding to Tanya’s greeting. Tanya knew that Celine was always straightforward by nature, and her coldness and dislike were her own doing. Seven years ago, Tanya left without a word, not only disappointing Professor Truman to the point of almost getting sick but also leaving many troubles for everyone... Celine had every right to blame her. "Junior Sister, you’re really back! This is wonderful!" Harrison Langdon had always been enthusiastic. Upon confirming that it was indeed Tanya in front of him, he was both surprised and delighted, "Last time at the school gate, I said I saw you, but Senior Brother insisted I was seeing things! I’m going to take you to him now, let him know my 2.0 vision isn’t just for show!" With that, Harrison took her hand through her clothes and started pulling her forward. Tanya, at a loss, heard Celine Nash, who had been silently watching, speak coldly: "Senior Brother Wenworth is with the professor right now, are you sure you want to bring her over? Or do you think the professor’s health is too good lately?" Hearing this, Harrison didn’t dare act recklessly. Over the years, the name Tanya Sinclair had been a taboo in front of Professor Truman. No one dared mention her in his presence, and now, if he rashly brought Tanya herself over, who knew if it would be a pleasant surprise or a fright... Tanya also understood that Celine was right. Professor Truman might not want to see her, and she couldn’t just go looking for him so abruptly without any preparation. "Senior Brother Langdon, I’m here at the university to handle other matters today." Tanya gently freed her hand from Harrison’s grip, lowered her eyes, and softly said, "In this state, it’s not appropriate for me to see the professor. I’ll find a better opportunity later to visit Professor Truman. Please pass my regards to him." Celine Nash gave a perfunctory smile, "Your absence is the best you can do for the professor." "Celine!" Seeing Tanya looking somewhat awkward, Harrison tugged at Celine, giving her a look. Celine impatiently shook him off. "Senior Sister is right." Tanya self-deprecatingly smiled and softly said, "I should have come much earlier to apologize to the professor and my senior brothers and sisters, but maybe it’s karma; I was in a coma for five years." "..." Celine pressed her lips together, a complicated emotion flashing in her eyes. Tanya bowed slightly toward them, "Senior Brother Langdon, Senior Sister Nash, I won’t dampen your spirits any longer. I haven’t changed my WeChat or number. If there’s anything you need from me in the future, feel free to contact me." With that, Tanya turned and left. Celine Nash watched her frail figure in the sunset for a few seconds before coldly shifting her gaze, only to see, at the corner of the building, the figures of Old Master Truman and Senior Brother Cameron Wenworth. Old Master Truman had his hands behind his back, his scholarly face giving away no emotion. Cameron Wenworth glanced at Tanya’s retreating figure downstairs, choosing his words carefully, "The project we’re working on right now just happens to be missing a core technical partner. Junior Sister, she..." "Whoever tied the knot must untie it. I fear the fire in the professor’s heart can only be extinguished by Junior Sister’s presence." Cameron thought to himself before hurriedly following after the professor.