Chapter 197

Better to get familiar early."

"Tsk..." Hannah inhaled sharply.

Only Sophia, standing closest to her, heard it: "What's wrong?"

Hannah Morse lowered her voice. "This Ashley Lowell... she's not simple."

Clara turned her head. "How so?"

"I joined the freshman group chat. She's the most discussed person in there."

Top student at her previous university.

Her GPA wasn't high enough for guaranteed graduate admission, but she published six SCI papers as an undergraduate.

The department made an exception to accept her.

They call her the "Prodigy Girl" and the "Academic Rising Star."

"So you must be Professor Eleanor Watson. I've heard so much about you." One of the five, a boy, spoke with a cheeky grin.

Hannah Morse frowned. "That's Shane Holloway. The admin of the freshman group chat. He spends twenty-two out of twenty-four hours spamming the chat. His mouth is particularly nasty."

As soon as Shane Holloway spoke, Professor Victoria Lowell signaled to the other students. "What are you all standing around for? Greet Professor Eleanor Watson."

Ashley Lowell pursed her lips and stayed silent.

Famous, and also very arrogant.

Fiona Valentine gave a slight nod, her smile gentle and graceful. "Hello, Professor."

Amelia Roscente's eyes darted away nervously.

She had visited multiple times before, checking on his illness and bringing gifts, practically wanting to enshrine Professor Eleanor Watson.

Now she was standing on Professor Victoria Lowell 's side.

She knew exactly how she had gotten this graduate position.

Couldn't get in on merit, so she used connections.

Professor Eleanor Watson naturally knew this too.

That's why she didn't dare to look him in the eye.

Only the boy named Jude Granger rushed forward excitedly, tightly grasping Professor Eleanor Watson's hand—

"Professor Eleanor Watson, hello! My name is Jude Granger! Yun as in 'cultivation'! I've read your papers, watched your lecture videos. I never thought I'd get to meet you in person today. I... I'm so excited..."

He was breathing rapidly, his whole body trembling, his eyes unusually bright.

Professor Eleanor Watson was a bit stunned. After a moment, he gently returned the handshake. "Hello, student Jude Granger."

The boy's dark face quickly flushed red. He scratched his head, revealing a set of white teeth.

He was very tall, probably 185 cm, wearing a simple, old T-shirt and shorts, with leather sandals on his feet.

His smile was strong and simple-minded.

Shane Holloway pulled him back. "Get to the side, you country bumpkin! Embarrassing!"

Jude Granger didn't seem to care at all, still immersed in the excitement of Professor Eleanor Watson saying his name.

Professor Victoria Lowell 's expression darkened.

Her own student wagging its tail at her rival was no different from publicly undermining her.

But she quickly adjusted her emotions, raising a smile again. "Professor Eleanor Watson, aren't you going to introduce your students?"

Professor Eleanor Watson didn't want to deal with her at all.

Shane Holloway's eyes shifted. "Yes, Professor Eleanor Watson. It's your turn."

Professor Eleanor Watson's face was cold. "We're not in the same research group. There's no need for introductions."

Without waiting for Professor Victoria Lowell to speak, Shane Holloway took the initiative to provoke. "Is there no need, or do you just have nothing worth showing off?"

"You—" Hannah Morse was so angry she glared. "A dog's mouth can't produce ivory!"

Shane Holloway: "A dog is still better than this fat pig."

Hannah Morse was stunned.

Although it was true she was overweight, this was the first time someone had called her a "fat pig" to her face!

Clara's expression instantly darkened. "It seems Professor Xu's students aren't much. Vulgar insults, personal attacks. Their quality is concerning. As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. It seems the upper beam is not straight, and the lower ones are crooked!"

This remark not only insulted Shane Holloway but also implicated Professor Victoria Lowell and the others.

"You're that mature-age graduate student, right?" Professor Victoria Lowell finally looked directly at Clara, a scornful smile appearing. "Quick with the tongue. I just wonder if your ability is directly proportional."

Shane Holloway: "Exactly! What normal student is almost thirty before getting into grad school? Either there's something wrong with their brain, or they lack talent. Is the bar for academia this low now?"

Clara's expression was calm. "Whether there's something wrong with my brain is none of your business. But you—you are truly sick."

Marcus Lawrence suddenly chimed in. "Rabies, to be precise. Biting anyone it sees."

Then, he looked at Professor Victoria Lowell . "If I were the owner, I'd put down a disobedient dog like this early, lest it bites me someday."

Professor Victoria Lowell felt a chill down her spine.

Shane Holloway yelled on the spot—

"Who are you calling a dog?! You're the dogs! You're all sick!"

Clara: "Whoever is barking. Professor, let's go. No need to bother with these roadblockers blocking the path."

Professor Eleanor Watson, who had been so angry he was panting, suddenly wasn't angry anymore.

"Okay."

The group of four prepared to leave.

Professor Victoria Lowell suddenly spoke. "The department's research funding has been approved. You haven't published a decent paper in years. If I were you, I'd be self-aware and step aside, making room for those who are truly capable."

Professor Eleanor Watson's back stiffened abruptly.

Professor Victoria Lowell : "Resources should be directed towards those who truly need them, not wasted by those who rest on their laurels and idle away. Don't you agree, Professor Eleanor Watson?"

Clara turned her head, saying coldly, "Whether it's a waste or not isn't for you to decide. Academic results will prove who deserves the resources."

"Well said!" Professor Victoria Lowell clapped. "Then I'll wait and see what academic results you can produce."

Clara's group left.

Shane Holloway sneered. "With Senior Brother Caleb Watson around, you're nothing!"

...

The opening ceremony was the next day.

Seating was organized by school.

Clara, Hannah Morse , and Marcus Lawrence sat together.

As per tradition, school leadership spoke, department leadership spoke, the student representative spoke...

The three of them were practically falling asleep.

Suddenly, there was a commotion at the back of their school's section, accompanied by whispers—

"Was that really Senior Brother Caleb Watson who just passed by?"

"Absolutely no mistake!"

"But shouldn't he be incredibly busy? Why would he come to the opening ceremony?"

"Who knows? Maybe to see the spectacle?"

"See the spectacle... Do you think someone known as 'SCI on legs' has that much free time?"

"What's 'SCI on legs'?"

"You actually don't know?!"

"Uh... know what?"

"Senior Brother Caleb Watson, Professor Professor Victoria Lowell 's prized disciple. Top science student who got into MIT. Started publishing papers as an undergrad. In his senior year, he published three SCI papers in one go, got direct admission to grad school, and has had impressive academic成果 every year since."

"It's no exaggeration to say he single-handedly supports half of the School of Life Sciences' academic output. Professor Xu values him highly. Even the department leadership has to be polite and smile when they see him."

This was the second time in just two days that Clara had heard the name "Caleb Watson."