Chapter 6 Come Talk to Me After You Stir Your Brain

“Good thing you cut ties with them,” James said as he handed her a bottle of waterb, /bstill mentally cursing the Joyner family for being so blind.

Then again, in ba /bbtwisted /bway, he had them to thank.

bBack /bwhen Scarlett was desperate to stay in the Joyner family, she turned down countless invitations from Jandale.

Now that she was free, the sky was the limit.

–

His mentor, Professor Hamilton, was already nning to establish a newb in Jandale and now there was a real chance for them to work together.

So he asked, “What do you n to do next?”

Scarlett took the bottle, sipped from it, and looked out the window at the scenery flying past.

“I’ve been developing a drug to treat blood disorders. But the observation period with theb mice still has fifteen days to go.”

James understood immediately.

–

Scarlett was meticulous in her research — always starting what she finished. Even in her current awkward position, she would see her project through to the end under pressure.

“I’ve got a lecture at your schooling up. If you need anything, just reach out.”

Scarlett nodded silently, clearly worn out.

Back at school, Reba headed straight to theb.

Her ssmates rushed over.

“Reba, was that really James? Do you have any other pictures? Come on, show us!”

Reba smiled shyly. “Sorry, Scarlett was talking with him the whole time. I didn’t get a chance to snap a close–up.”

Everyone’s mood soured immediately.

“She’s the mistaken heiress

–

iyou’re /ithe real one. Why do you keep letting her take over everything?”

“Exactly. She even used you of stealing her research. Good thing we were there to back you up, or she would’ve dragged your name through the mud.”

“James is obviously here for your cancer research. And she just swooped in to take credit!”

“Yeah! Ourb mice trial only has fifteen days left — now she’s trying to fake her way in again!”

–

of yearsb!/bb” /b

Just then, theb door opened.

Professor Miller walked in, white coat swishing, sses perched on his nose. Seeing the together, he frowned and cleared his throat.

“No one’s logging data? Just standing around cking off?”

Everyone quickly lined up, heads down.

group huddled

Only Reba stepped forward, looking pitiful. “Professor Miller, don’t me them. It’s my fault I couldn’t get James to stay. He was just too busy.”

Professor Miller adjusted his sses, his expression warm. “You saw James? That rascal didn’t even call me when he got to Trenwyn.”

Reba lowered her head shyly. “Maybe he wanted to surprise you.”

Miller chuckled. He wouldn’t hold a grudge over something like that.

But…

A few months ago, Professor Hamilton from Jandale had called him, heavily hinting that a Ms. Joyner in hisb had great potential, and asking whether she could be invited to join their newb.

Over the past two years, Reba had achieved impressive results – the field.

He didn’t want to let her go.

enough to elevate Miller’s status in

He hadn’t expected Hamilton to y dirty by sending his student to recruit her behind his back.

“Whatever James said, don’t forget the work already on your te. By the way, Reba — where’s your paper? Let me take a look.”

Reba quickly handed him the documents she had prepared.

Miller skimmed them

–

and his eyes widened in shock.

“Reba, you never cease to amaze me. This is an entirely new cancer treatment? How long left on the mouse trial?b” /b

“About fifteen days,” Reba answered immediately.

Miller was thrilled. If this drug seeded, it could fill a major gap in the field of cancer medication. A true breakthrough.

“You really are a genius. This could win a national–level pharmaceutical prize. When the timees, I’ll personally file the patent for you.”

Her ssmates weren’t jealous at all

–

they cheered and congratted her.

Reba flushed modestly. “Thank you, Professor. Thank you, everyone.”

Miller handed bthe /bpapers back, then scanned the room.

“Hmm? Someone’s missing. Where’s Scarlett?b” /b

Reba, who had been basking in praise, stiffened for a moment. She quickly stepped back and lowered her head to make herself less visible.

“Reba, what’s wrong?” Miller noticed her change in demeanor and immediately grew concerned.

The others couldn’t take it anymore. They rushed to defend her.

“Professor Miller, while you were away on your exchange trip, Scarlett used Reba of stealing her work.”

“We couldn’t stay quiet, so we all stood up for Reba. That’s why she moved into the small side room to work alone.”

Reba looked like she was about to cry. “Professor, I really didn’t copy her. We just happened to pick simr topics. If you don’t believe me, you can ask the school to investigate.”

Miller mmed his hand down on the desk, furious. “The thing I hate most in this world is academic fraud and petty drama. She dared to sabotage a fellow student? I won’t let this go!”

Reba quickly shook her head. “Please don’t be mad, Professor. I’m sure Scarlett had her reasons. Let’s just forget it, okay? I’m fine. I won’t hold a grudge.”

Her sweet and understanding attitude only made Miller feel more protective. “No need to defend her. Where is she? Tell her to get in here now!”

Scarlett had been dyed by James dragging her off to Jandale, so she’d arrivedter than Reba.

She ended up hearing the whole performance right from the doorway.

“I’m here.”

Everyone spun around in shock.

They’d been so busyining, no one had noticed when she walked in.

She stepped forward calmly and faced Miller. “Professor Miller, wee back from your exchange trip.”

Miller had once liked her. Scarlett was sharp and gifted

—

clearly a promising researcher.

Hearing her greet him now stirred a bit of that old fondness.

But when he remembered all the usations, a new wave of anger rose up.

He hadn’t expected this kid to go so far off track.

To him, character mattered more than intelligence. Even if someone was a once–in–a–generation genius if their integrity was rotten, he’d never ept them as a student.

–

“Calling bme /b‘bProfessor/b‘ bis /bba /bbit muchb,/bb” /bhe said coldly. “I bnever /btaught you to nder others or bully your juniorsb./bb” /b

bAs /bsoon bas /bbhe /bspoke, the others started piling on.

“Scarlett, just for the sake of an award, you stooped that low? I’m ashamed to share ab with you.”

The one who said that was Micah Donovan – the most experienced student in theb. When he’d applied for grad school and gone topetitions, it had been Scarlett who quietly prepared all his materials and supported him.

No one knew her skills better than he did.

And yet he was the first to speak against her.

Scarlett lifted her eyes and gave a coldugh. “Then get out. No one’s stopping you.”

“You-”

Micah was furious at first, but when he looked into her eyes remembered all the times she’d helped him.

–

dark and deep like the sea —

–

he suddenly

His throat tightened like it was stuffed with cotton.

Not a single word came out.

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