Zane stared at Mirabe for what felt like an eternity before he finally broke the silence. “The changes to the script data on myputer a few days ago—yeah, that was you, wasn''t it?"


    His tone wasn''t asking; it was stating a fact.


    Mirabe just stood there, speechless. Talk about a curveball out of nowhere.


    "So, you''re actually good with those programs, huh?" Zane pressed when Mirabe didn''t answer.


    Mirabe coughed awkwardly. "...A little?"


    Zane chuckled. "Sure, and I''m a rock star."


    Mirabe looked away, refusing to say more, and kept walking.


    Zane''s face lit up with a knowing smile as he caught up to her. "Did you and Meg know each other before? Is there some beef between you two?"


    He wasn''t clueless; earlier in theb, Meg had been gunning for Mira.


    Mirabe shrugged. "We graduated from the same school and had a run-in before graduation. As for any conflicts..." She paused, then stood a little taller, "Maybe it''s because I''m just that good."


    Zane''s lips twitched. Maybe it wasn''t just about being good; you''re pretty full of yourself too.


    "Try to steer clear of Meg from now on," Zane finally said after a moment.


    Mirabe shot a sideways nce at Zane.


    Zane''s gaze softened a bit. "Meg is Mr. Calvin''s star student, and Mr. Calvin... let''s just say he has a temper."


    Zane hadn''t forgotten that Mirabe initially picked the same major as Meg. From what she showed today, her talent was definitely on par with Meg''s, if not better.


    He couldn''t fathom why Mr. Calvin hadn''t picked her, but people areplicated, and jealousy can make folks do strange things.


    Mirabe smirked. "I''ve got a bit of a temper too."


    Zane felt his blood pressure spike. "I''m serious. It''s not just Meg; avoid Mr. Calvin as well."


    Mirabe nodded absentmindedly, clearly not taking his advice to heart.


    Zane sighed internally, realizing he was wasting his breath. Checking his watch, he remembered that Wade needed to see him. He waved to Mirabe and headed to Wade''s office.


    **


    When Zane arrived at Wade''s office, Wade was on a video call. Zane stepped out into the hallway to wait.


    He bumped into some other faculty members who looked troubled. Something was up.


    "Mr. Calvin''s research data got messed with. He threw a massive tantrum in the meeting," a colleague exined with a wry smile.


    Zane raised an eyebrow. "Who would mess with his stuff?"


    "Exactly. Who''d dare? Probably just a scare tactic," the colleague shrugged.


    Zane was used to this kind of drama and just patted his colleague on the shoulder before heading back in.


    Inside, Wade had finished his call. He motioned for Zane toe in, poured him a ss of water, and sat down. "The research funds for your department have been diverted. I just found out."


    Zane blinked, surprised. He hadn''t expected this. "It''s fine. Mr. Calvin said the funds would be returned once the central funds are allocated."


    Wade was silent for a moment before looking Zane in the eye. "They might not be returned."