Chapter 74
74 The Interview
Inside the lab.
Jasper had already instructed for all the monitoring equipment to be taken down before they proceeded with the next round of discussion.
Each expert had a different opinion. The room buzzed with debate. To someone unaware , it might have sounded like a heated argument.
At this stage, Scarlett should’ve been excused.
But to everyone’s surprise, Professor Hugh suddenly called her back.
“Ms. Joyner, do you have any thoughts?”
Scarlett froze for a moment, startled, and looked back.
The rest of the room fell silent.
No one could believe what they had just heard.
Even though Scarlett had just taken an alternative path and pointed out the problem, all of that had been relatively basic.
As a student, handling the basics well was expected.
Was Professor Hugh giving her too much credit?
Then again…
Maybe this was his way of saving face.
She had embarrassed him earlier in front of everyone. Now he was asking her a question–maybe to set her
If she fumbled her answer, he could destroy her future with just a few words.
Smart.
Brilliant, even.
Everyone’s interest was piqued, and they all turned to Scarlett.
If she answered poorly, this was going to be one hell of a show.
Jack grew nervous and was about to step in to help, but Jasper held him back.
He didn’t understand why.
But Jasper remained calm, as if none of this worried him.
Jack suddenly recalled something Jasper had said.
“My research subject–no one touches her but me.”
74 The Interview
In that moment, he relaxed completely.
These people wouldn’t be able to lay a finger on Pixel.
Might as well let her practice–give her a taste of real academic discussions.
With that in mind, his whole demeanor lightened.
Scarlett wasn’t the least bit flustered. After a brief pause, she spoke in a quiet voice.
“Professor Hugh, I’m afraid my views might still be a little immature.”
Professor Hugh looked at her with clear admiration. When he heard her response, he smiled kindly .
“No matter. Let’s hear them.”
“Though we’re older, that doesn’t mean we’re always more mature. Didn’t I just shoot down several of their suggestions?”
The few experts who had just been contradicted went silent. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ꜰindηovel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access s of novels early and in the highest quality.
Professor Hugh was dragging them into it now?
Cutthroat. Absolutely vicious.
But none of them dared to speak up. They didn’t have his stature.
They could only suffer in silence.
Scarlett relaxed a bit thanks to his words and began speaking slowly.
“If we design neutralizing antibodies based on the poxvirus classification, not only would we miss the optimal treatment window, but we might also trigger antibody–dependent enhancement.”
She opened her notebook. While everyone had been arguing earlier, she’d drawn a hand–sketched diagram of the virus structure. Red ink circled the mutation points.
“This new virus’s envelope protein binds with the host cell’s sialic acid receptor, which is completely different from the invasion mechanism of the parainfluenza virus…”
At first, everyone dismissed her.
But as she continued, their expressions grew more serious.
Though she was young, her insight into virology was impressively deep.
Unknowingly, she was guiding them toward a whole new direction.
Professor Hugh grew excited. Listening to Scarlett’s calm voice, he nodded repeatedly.
“Yes, good.”
“Right, this is a fresh angle. Worth testing.”
“Very reasonable.”
74 The Interview
He didn’t hold back his praise.
“You little rascal, you’re really making us old folks look bad!”
Scarlett looked a bit embarrassed.
“Professor Hugh, you really… flatter me.”
This time, the rest of the room stayed completely quiet.
They were now deeply thankful they hadn’t spoken out against Scarlett earlier.
If they had, they’d be the ones eating their words.
More than that, they were growing increasingly impressed with Professor Hugh.
Even after being challenged by someone younger, he hadn’t gotten angry or sought revenge .
Instead, he appreciated her talent and even gave her a chance to speak. That kind of generosity was something they had to admit they lacked.
they
Next time they joined a discussion like this, they’d need to adjust their own attitudes – couldn’t afford to discourage the talented youth.
However…
Professor Hugh suddenly shifted the topic.
“Ms. Joyner, you haven’t chosen your PhD advisor yet, right? What do you think of me?”
Why was he suddenly recruiting students?
Wasn’t this a little off – topic ?
But then, everyone looked at Professor Hugh with knowing expressions.
So that’s what he was up to.
He hadn’t just been offering Scarlett a chance to speak–he’d been interviewing her.
Cunning . Very cunning .
-No one else could’ve played it better.
There was no way they could catch up now. Not even with a high–speed train.
Frustrating. And to make it worse–they weren’t even qualified to compete with him for a student.
Even more frustrating.
After a brief moment of surprise, Scarlett smiled.
“Not yet. I haven’t decided if I’m going for a PhD, or even which field I’d want to pursue. ”
Professor Hugh wasn’t the least bit discouraged.
74 The Interview
Instead, he pulled out his phone and insisted on saving her contact information.
+ Pearls
“Even if you don’t end up being my PhD student, we can still keep in touch and exchange ideas often”