CHAPTER 196: CHAPTER 196: OLD MASTER TRUMAN’S STUBBORN PRIDE

Preston Truman’s gaze flickered when it settled on Tanya Sinclair for a brief moment, then he abruptly turned away, rigid and cold, ready to leave.

Celine Nash and Harrison Langdon had also come along today, and seeing their teacher leaving, they naturally got up to follow.

Celine completely ignored Tanya Sinclair, while Harrison cast a reluctant glance at Tanya, unable to offer comforting words, sighed helplessly, and followed Preston Truman outside.

Professor Carter hadn’t expected Preston Truman to be so stubborn, frowned as he walked out, intending to comfort Tanya Sinclair.

But Tanya Sinclair wiped away her tears and steadied her resolve.

She turned around, quickly catching up, and stopped Preston Truman from leaving.

Today, Professor Carter had specially arranged this meeting, giving her the chance to meet her mentor. If she couldn’t seize it now, who knew when her mentor would be willing to see her again.

Seven years...

How many seven years does one have in a lifetime?

Preston Truman frowned as he looked at her, not saying a word, his cold gaze indifferent, but beneath it was unmistakable resentment.

"Teacher..." Tanya Sinclair pursed her lips, clenched her sweaty palms, bowed her head and said, "You once taught us to prioritize research and the nation. No matter how overwhelming our emotions might be, we can’t bring them into our research work because our future research direction is for the country and the people."

Preston Truman stared at Tanya Sinclair with calm yet stern eyes that showed signs of age, and in a cold voice, he said, "Don’t give me that! If you truly regarded my words as gospel, how could you have made such a foolish decision seven years ago?! You simply..."

Preston Truman didn’t finish his sentence before watching Tanya Sinclair suddenly kneeling before him.

This scene even startled Ethan Carter, who had followed them.

"Oh dear..."

Tanya Sinclair placed her hands on the ground, her forehead resting on the back of her hands.

The ritual of bowing, paying respects to heaven, earth, ruler, parents, and teacher – Preston Truman was worthy of such honor.

During her university years, Preston treated her so well, imparting knowledge and wisdom.

She had failed him in every expectation and hope.

"I’m sorry, teacher." Tanya Sinclair raised her head slowly, her eyes rimmed with redness, suppressing years of guilt that almost overflowed; she held herself back, "Professor Truman, criticize me or punish me, I’ll accept it. I made a mistake that disappointed you. I’ve already divorced Vincent Hawthorne."

"..." Preston Truman’s gaze trembled, his face tensed, yet he remained silent.

"Professor Truman, please don’t deny me as your student. Even a death row inmate can appeal; please give me a chance to make amends." Tanya Sinclair pleaded, her eyes red with tears shimmering as she gazed at her mentor expectantly.

Yet Preston Truman’s face remained cold, suddenly stepping past her.

"..."

Tanya Sinclair closed her eyes, her heart bitter and suffocated with distress.

Indeed, she was still unworthy of her mentor’s forgiveness... Even a chance was denied.

Just as Tanya Sinclair was feeling a bit despairing, behind her came Preston Truman’s irritable scolding voice.

"Taking half a day to fetch some documents. What good are your long legs?"

Cameron Wenworth, who had rushed back with documents, and was being reprimanded: "?"

He took less than ten minutes, didn’t he?

Beside him, Harrison Langdon winked and secretly pointed to the back.

Cameron Wenworth peeked back and saw Tanya Sinclair, helped up by Ethan Carter, his junior sister’s eyes red and clearly just cried.

Preston Truman snatched the documents from his hand and turned back toward the conference room.

Tanya Sinclair’s eyes were red yet managed to smile through the tears.

Ethan Carter quietly comforted her, "Old Man Truman is just stubborn like that, his mouth harder than rock. Though he seems indifferent to you, he’s been keeping an eye on your movements since you got married. It’s just not allowed to be spoken of..."

"..." Tanya Sinclair felt even more guilty, lowered her eyes, and softly said, "It’s me who has wronged the teacher."

It was a painful lesson, only this once.

Returning to the meeting room, Tanya Sinclair was organizing documents when several team members gradually joined in, introducing themselves simply, each being top talents in their respective fields.

All gathered because of The Veridia Project.

Of course, the highest status holders were still Academician Truman and Professor Carter, with these two giants overseeing, the entire meeting progressed very smoothly.

Regarding Tanya Sinclair’s proposed solution to Group A’s core issues, Cameron Wenworth offered a few supplementary points for everyone to discuss, simulate, further optimize the plan, and clarify the division of labor.

After a four-hour meeting, everyone was energized, feeling more exhilarated and joyful as the discussion went on.

By the time the meeting concluded, everyone’s spirits were still high.

Tanya Sinclair was completely absorbed in summarizing her notes when suddenly, a pen stretched over and tapped a set of data she was calculating.

"This part, recalculate it," Old Master Preston Truman’s voice sounded beside her.

Tanya looked up in delight, her eyes sparkling: "Professor, you’re finally willing to talk to me!"

Throughout the entire meeting just now, Preston Truman mostly listened, and when she was speaking, he didn’t even glance at her.

Tanya had mentally prepared herself to be ignored by Professor Truman for the entire duration of the project...

Preston Truman, still stern-faced, knocked her on the head with the pen in his hand, "Careless. Even a preliminary data calculation should have minimal error!"

Tanya obediently accepted the correction, "You are right, Professor."

This scene fell into the eyes of the three senior disciples, Cameron Wenworth, Harrison Langdon, and Cindy Lynn, who felt a bit emotional.

Indeed, the professor always has a soft spot for the youngest disciple.

Tanya noticed the pen in Preston Truman’s hand, finding it increasingly familiar.

Her eyes lit up as she remembered.

"Professor, isn’t this the pen I bought you as a gift with my first project bonus back in my sophomore year?" Tanya felt a bit nasal, "You still kept it?"

Preston Truman stubbornly replied, "Don’t get sentimental. I ran out of pens and just grabbed one on my way out. I’ll toss it away later when I leave."

Tanya smiled with pursed lips, "Okay, when you throw it away, I’ll just buy you a new one."

Preston Truman shot her a glare, annoyed, "Who taught you? You’re getting thick-skinned!"

He turned and walked out. When he reached the door, he paused and turned back casually asking, "Really divorced?"

"Yes," Tanya nodded firmly.

Preston Truman’s expression slightly relaxed, but then he sternly warned, "If you dare look back, I..."

"I absolutely won’t," Tanya said seriously, "Professor, I want to start anew on the path I couldn’t walk seven years ago."

"..." Preston Truman looked at Tanya, whose face had lost its childishness and become more mature and resilient, feeling a pang of sorrow. He knew what kind of days Tanya had gone through in those seven years.

Before tears could fall, Preston Truman looked away, "Eat more, you’re as thin as a rake! All those chicken drumsticks you got in college were wasted!"

He grumbled with a tough exterior but a soft heart as he walked out.

Cameron Wenworth, Harrison Langdon, and Cindy Lynn naturally followed quickly, getting into the elevator. Harrison Langdon extended his hand to Preston Truman, "Professor, let me have it!"

Preston Truman glanced at him inexplicably, "Have what?"

Harrison Langdon grinned, "Aren’t you going to throw away the pen that our little junior sister gave you? I’ll help you throw it away!"

"Get lost," Preston Truman jokingly scolded, pretending to kick him.

After the joke, Preston Truman looked seriously at the silent Celine Nash.

"Celine, in the A group of The Veridia Project, Tanya is the team leader, and you’re the deputy team leader. Assist your junior sister well."

Celine Nash pursed her lips and said expressionlessly, "Understood, Professor."

...

Tanya stayed behind to look around the A group’s research room with Sam Sawyer, familiarizing herself with the work environment ahead.

Sam Sawyer handed over the A group’s member list and information to Tanya.

"Most of them have arrived today, except Cindy Lynn, who you specifically requested, wasn’t invited to the meeting," Sam candidly remarked. "Her overall ability is enough to lower the average level of the entire A group."

Tanya replied calmly, "Don’t worry, she won’t be exposed to the core content of A group and won’t affect us. I have other plans for her."

When talking about ’other plans,’ Tanya’s lips subtly lifted.

She turned to Sam, "If I remember correctly, part of the A group’s project in the early preparatory phase is in collaboration with Zenith Group, right?"

"Yes," Sam knew about Vincent Hawthorne and Tanya Sinclair’s relationship, he said, "Team Leader Sinclair, we have several alternative companies for cooperation. If you don’t want to meet Vincent Hawthorne, we can switch..."

"No need," Tanya said, "Let’s work with Zenith Group. I came from their company and know their processes well. The later stages will progress faster."

"Alright," with her affirmation, Sam naturally had no objection, he said, "Then stick to the original plan. I’ll notify Zenith Group. Tomorrow, as the client team, we’ll visit their company for an on-site inspection, and they should have their proposal ready."

"Sure, thank you."

Tanya glanced at the time on the wall.

At this moment, the shareholders’ meeting should have ended.

Vincent Hawthorne... most likely is going crazy.