The Double or more Life of the Fake Heiress (Mirabella)

Hank was feeling the heat. If he didn't clear things up now, this misunderstanding was going to spiral out of control. "Dr. Ray, there's been a mix-up. Actually..."

Dane cut him off with a raised hand. "Let's get to the point-what's the deal with the patent?"

Hank's fingers fidgeted as he tried to figure out where Dane was headed with this. After a pause, he admitted, "The patent application didn't go through."

Dane's eyes narrowed, locking onto Hank's face. "Is it that the application didn't go through, or has someone else already submitted it?"

Even though Dane's voice was calm, Hank couldn't miss the edge in it. Realizing he couldn't wiggle out of this, he came clean, "I didn't expect Prestige College to beat us to it."

Dane regarded Hank with a level gaze. "Hank, you've been with the institute for over twenty years. You should have a handle on some basic academic principles by now, right?"

The head of the DO Group had dropped by today, supposedly to clear up the misunderstanding, but they were really looking for answers. This "misunderstanding" had put their Tech Center in an awkward spot.

Hank's face turned crimson. He wanted to explain further, "Dr. Ray, I..."

Dane wasn't in the mood for more excuses. He cut in, "I don't need to spell out how serious it is to steal research. Figure out a way to handle the Prestige College situation."

With that, Dane left the room without sparing Hank another glance.

Hank sank back into the sofa, feeling drained. Dane hadn't explicitly said how he'd be punished, but it was obvious Hank was now persona non grata.

He'd been banking on the DO Group project to secure the open deputy director role for himself. Now, that dream was shattered.

A wave of bitterness washed over Hank. It was all Calvin's fault. If Calvin hadn't brought up the DO Group, none of this would've happened.

Hank's eyes darkened. He was definitely going to settle this score with Calvin!

Dane returned to his office, his mood still sour despite his attempts to keep it in check.

"Professor, something on your mind?" James, who was already there, asked with

rare concern.

Dane let out a heavy sigh and dropped into his chair. "It's just.

those researchers... but forgetelnoveldrama

too

it's

embarrassing to even discuss."

James raised an eyebrow but didn't push for more details when he saw Dane's reluctance.

Dane picked up the blueprints and started discussing the main topic with James.

After about half an hour, James glanced at the clock and wrapped up their discussion.

Dane, still wanting to talk, looked at his student with a hint of

disappointment. "Leaving already? Didn't you say you had the afternoon free?" .

James stood up and nodded, his tone light: "Got to pick up my

girlfriend. It's about that timel.net t belongs to Shine

Dane: "..."

Was this kid flaunting his love life?

“Hold on, since when do you have a girlfriend?” Dane asked, genuinely surprised.