After signing the contract, n was in aplete daze, walking as if he were floating on air.


    Upon spotting Aria at the doorway, n’s knees buckled-he nearly lost his bnce.


    Upon learning that the Stars Group had secured Adrian’s student, Johnny, filled with excitement, immediately dropped everything and rushed out. Seeing n looking unsteady, Johnny hurried over to steady him.


    “You must be n. I’m Johnny Oconnor, Chairman of the Stars Group,” he said.


    Adrian wasn’t just a leading authority in neuromorphicputing. He was a giant in the entire academic world. Countlesspanies tried to poach him and his team, yet none ever seeded.


    Johnny had personally made several attempts, but all ended in failure. He only managed to poach one student, and even that came at the cost of straining the mentor-protégé rtionship.


    Johnny could only console himself inwardly, ‘Well, if Adrian isn’t joining the Stars Group, at least he won’t be going to anypetitors either.’


    Now that Aria had actually managed to bring over Adrian’s most prized student, even if it was just for an internship, Johnny was already determined to keep him for good.


    They were counting on n to reshape Adrian’s perception of the Stars Group, with the ultimate goal of poaching his entire


    team.


    ‘Sure enough, trusting Aria with this is absolutely the right call, Johnny wondered.


    Johnny was beaming with satisfaction, while n’s face was etched with despair-but for him, regret was already toote.


    Even Johnny, the Chairman of the Stars Group, came out personally.


    Aria walked over and teased, “Hey, don’t scare the boy.”


    n, who was actually a few years older than Aria, was stunned for a moment.


    n said, “Ms. Saxon, let’s get out of here.”


    Aria gave a slight nod. “Alright.”


    All the way back at Mandino University, n’s mind was a chaotic mess, his heart heavy with trepidation.


    To everyone’s surprise, when Aria told Adrian about it, he didn’t get angry at all. Instead, he burst outughing and teased, “You just walked off with the one I valued most.”


    Adrian nced at the downcast boy. “Don’t look so glum, n,” he told him. “You already signed the contract. Do well at the Stars Group, and don’t embarrass me.


    “Carney’s ideas might have been a little extreme, but his heart’s in the right ce. If Carney ever gives you trouble, I’ll personally go to the Stars Group and set things straight.”


    Ever since the Carney incident, Adrian had be increasingly selective in taking on new students.


    The incident may have seemed minor, yet it had significant repercussions. Many students had been whispering among themselves that Adrian was ruining his students’ career prospects.


    +28


    Only then did n realize that he, too, had underestimated just how big-hearted Adrian was.


    n’s eyes grew moist as he sniffled. “Prof. Gn,” he said hesitantly, “Could I poach-I mean, help the Stars Group recruit some of our people? Would that be okay?”


    With the contract signed, n was now, technically, part of the Stars Group. During the ride back, Aria showed him numerous project files.


    n was blown away-the scale was far beyond anything he’d ever imagined.


    Theb was impressive too-far better than he’d expected. n thought to himself, ‘I bet my fellow researchers would be eager to join as well?’


    2


    Adrian couldn’t believe it—his always rule-abiding student had not only been poached, but was now actually helping the other side recruit.


    Adrian raised an eyebrow, ncing at Aria, itching to ask, “What kind of magic spell did you cast on n?”


    Adrian replied, “As long as you can convince them.”


    n was instantly energized.


    Never one to miss an opening, Aria grinned and pushed her luck. “What about you, Prof. Gn? Think I could talk you into it?”


    “What, poaching my students wasn’t enough? Now you want to poach me, too?” Adrian snorted. “I’ve still got projects on my te, you know.”


    Aria said, “Starting a coboration with the Stars Group won’t disrupt your current work. If youe to the Stars Group, you can continue to lead your team here.


    “Whatever projects you want to pursue in the future, I’ll personally make sure you have all the funding and equipment you need.”


    Research funding is scarce, and with countless teams vying for it, approval rates are low.