The worktables were covered with stacks of notes, densely filled with research annotations and calctions.


    n’s eyes sparkled with fascination as an intense yearning welled up inside him—he longed to be part of this world.


    Carney was about to step in and stop Aria from bringing n near the core area, but then realized she was only giving him a perimeter tour of the facility. He rxed a little, though he still kept a close eye on them.


    “What do you think?” Aria asked.


    “Amazing!” n replied, his eyes shining with excitement.


    Carney sneered as he stepped closer. “Yeah, it’s impressive. Too bad Professor Gn overgeneralized-one setback, and he just shut himself off. Now everyone’s too scared to intern early.”


    He set the precedent and lost both his mentor and ssmates.


    But Carney didn’t regret it—he believed he had made the smart choice, and the others were real fools.


    “That was our own decision-it had nothing to do with the professor!” n retorted. “He never interfered with our choices!”


    Carney sneered, “If he didn’t interfere, would you really be too scared to intern? Too scared to pick apany? The professor’s just an old fossil!”


    Hearing that, n was livid. “Show some respect for the professor!” he snapped. “He’s been our mentor for life!”


    Adrian never actually minded if his students wanted to pursue other opportunities, but everyone was afraid of leaving a bad impression on him, so they waited until graduation to make any decisions.


    He’d mentioned several times that he didn’t care, but no one listened, so he just let it be.


    If Carney hadn’t unterally quit the team, cut off contact, and blown things out of proportion, no one would have misunderstood Adrian’s intentions.


    Carney scoffed, “I’ve paid for my education—it’s only natural the professor teaches me. I’m not going to be a bootlicker like you guys.”


    n clenched his fists and abruptly turned to Aria. “Ms. Saxon, can I join the team?”


    Aria was taken aback. “You want to join the Stars Group’s Brain-Inspired Computing Team?”


    “Yes!” n nodded resolutely. “I want Carney to see that even if I intern or work here, the professor won’t say a thing. It’s all just his wild imagination!”


    Aria hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly. Smiling, she said, “Well then, let’s get the paperwork done. You’ll start as an intern, and if things work out, we’ll make it official.”


    However, n immediately regretted saying those words.


    He knew Adrian wouldn’t me him, but he still had no idea how to bring it up.


    Seeing his hesitation, Aria reassured him, “I’ll have someone get the contract ready for you to sign. Leave the rest to me-I’ll exin everything to Professor Gn.”


    Carney sneered, “See? You’re all just as afraid of crossing the professor. So don’t act all high and mighty when everyone’s scared of the same thing.”


    n red at him defiantly and said, “I’ll sign it right now! And just watch-I’ll help the Stars Group recruit even more top


    talents!”


    Things had gone so smoothly that it even took Aria by surprise.


    She nced down to text someone, then said to the spectating team lead, “Take n to sign the paperwork.”


    The team lead snapped out of it. “Sure.”


    Aria then turned to n. “Go sign. I’ll wait for you at the entrance.”


    Still fuming, n snapped, “Fine,” and followed the team lead out.


    Aria smiled and gave Carney a yful pat on the shoulder. “Well done. You’ve brought a talent to the Stars Group. I’ll have Johnny arrange your bonus. If you have any other requests, just let me know.”


    Carney had just realized what was going on. ‘Wait, what? Was I just used as a pawn?’ he thought, utterly bewildered.


    But Aria was the big boss-he had no choice but to swallow his anger.


    Carney gritted his teeth. “Then I don’t want n in the Brain-Inspired Computing Team. Would you actually agree to that, Ms. Saxon?”


    “Not a chance,” Aria replied with a yful smile. “You’d better get used to seeing more of your old ssmates around here.”


    “And who knows,” she added, “maybe I’ll even make sure you run into your professor one of these days.”


    At the thought of that scene, Carney felt his stomach clench.


    Carney said, “Ms. Saxon, there are plenty of other outstanding professors and students. Don’t keep fixating on Professor Gn-trust me, he’s not someone you can handle.”


    Aria smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll give it my best shot.”


    Carney was rendered speechless.