Chapter 102

She had just received the notification from the institute.

Seventy percent of this year's graduate research funding had been allocated to Professor Victoria Lowell's research group.

The remainder would be distributed to others, including her.

After accounting for various expenses, the actual usable amount might be less than twenty percent.

In recent years, her experiments had stagnated.

Paper output was almost zero.

Without papers, there were no academic achievements.

Funding had been repeatedly cut.

Her health was also deteriorating.

Not a single student could take on a major role.

Professor Eleanor Watson couldn't help but sigh.

Victoria Lowell happened to be walking towards her from the opposite direction.

"Good afternoon, Professor Watson. I heard your group has a new discovery?"

Eleanor remained silent.

"It seems the news was false. You're in the lab every day, yet you produce no results."

"Your funding was cut again this year, wasn't it? I've been through those lean times myself. I used to envy you back then."

"Now the tables have turned. Finally, it's my turn." A smirk tugged at Victoria's lips. "It's just unfortunate for you."

Eleanor adjusted her shawl.

"Ten years ago, funding was only one-tenth of what it is now. Yet the entire institute's output was double what it is today. The amount of resources and academic output are not necessarily correlated."

She changed her tone. "Though some people have corrupted the atmosphere, making the institute spend a fortune on a pile of worthless results."

Victoria's face instantly darkened.

"What's the use of being stubborn? If this continues, your entire research group will be disbanded!"

"All these years, I haven't seen you mentor any outstanding students. You know better than I do how important a talented and hardworking disciple is. One could even say an academic successor."

Victoria raised an eyebrow. "I have one. Do you?"

Eleanor calmly retorted, "How do you know I don't?"

"Where is he? I don't see anyone. Stop pretending." Victoria sighed lightly. "Retire early. You might still preserve some dignity."

Eleanor looked at her quietly, a trace of pity in her eyes.

Her research progress was indeed slow, but it was far from the dire situation the other described.

Those whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad.

It was a pity some people didn't understand this principle.

…

Mid-April brought gradually warmer weather.

Although Sophia Sullivan had secured her graduate position, she didn't relax at all.

Her life revolved around three points: the library, home, and the grocery market.

Besides reading papers, her greatest pleasure was cooking delicious meals for herself.

Occasionally, she would run into Alexander Laurent and invite him to share.

But such opportunities were rare.

He practically lived in the laboratory and seldom came home.

The few times they met were when he returned to pick up clean clothes, or when the lab's rest area was occupied.

Time passed day by day.

Sophia's days were monotonous yet fulfilling.

She no longer waited daily for a man who didn't see her to come home.

She didn't prepare food and drinks for him or manage his trivial matters.

She didn't absorb his negative emotions or internalize them.

Having experienced it, she cherished her current life all the more.

Daily video calls with her parents in the neighboring city became a routine.

After moving into their new home, David Sullivan had completely let loose.

He was now growing everything he had wanted to but couldn't or didn't dare to before.

The first thing he did after class every day was to check on his flowers, plants, and various fruits and vegetables.

In their video calls, Isabella would complain, "Your father is living a purely rural life now. The only thing missing is carrying manure for fertilizer."

David would shout from afar, "I'm happy with it!"

Isabella had found new inspiration and was immersed in her writing.

However, her latest concept was rejected by her editor again.

They had argued several times.

David said Isabella secretly cried while holding her previously published novels late at night.

Hearing this, Sophia gently furrowed her brow.