"Meg, I always figured you had a knack for knowing what''s right, both in work and in life. I can''t wrap my head around you being so reckless over an experiment," Calvin said, rubbing his temples. "From now on, don''t tell anyone you''re my student."


    Meg, still staring at the floor, couldn''t believe her ears. She looked up, "Professor..."


    Calvin didn''t bother with another word. He turned on his heel and headed to his desk, sitting with his back to her, making it clear he didn''t want to see her anymore.


    He was utterly disappointed.


    Seeing this, Meg whispered a few apologies and shuffled out, lookingpletely defeated.


    Calvin sat in silence for ages before finally turning his chair around. He opened a drawer, pulled out a paper he had meant to keep on file, and ripped it to bits, tossing the pieces into the trash.


    After that, he picked up his phone and made a call, "Yeah, cancel the paper. Thanks for sorting it out."


    Hanging up, Calvin threw the phone onto the desk. Even though Meg''s final experimental proof wasn''t done, he''d already sent the paper in, and it had passed the initial review.


    But after today''s fiasco, how could he even think of publishing it?


    Massaging his aching temples, Calvin knew it was only a matter of time before Mr. Belcher called him in for a good talking to.


    And if Wade decided to stir things up, he might just lose his job as department head.


    But all that was secondary. Thinking about Mirabe''s skills earlier, he could only let out a deep sigh. The field of bioputing seemed ready to take off.


    If only he hadn''t pushed her away back then.


    After sneaking out of Zane''s office, Mirabe decided not to return to her research team since it was alreadyte afternoon. She called As to get a ride home.


    Twenty minutester, As pulled up outside the school.


    As Mirabe approached, the passenger-side window lowered slowly. She stopped in her tracks, quickly recognizing the person inside, "Grady, when did you get to Riverdale?"


    Grady grinned, "Just today. Thought I''d drop by and see you. Hop in."


    As he spoke, As coughed from the driver''s seat, giving Grady a knowing look.


    You''re full of it, Grady. You''ve been in Riverdale this whole time, just trying to find a reason to see Miss Mira.


    Mirabe nodded without a hint of suspicion and climbed into the back seat. The car soon pulled away, leaving the school behind.


    "Things busy at schooltely?" Grady asked, leaning back and speaking softly.


    "Not too much," Mirabe replied, sitting quietly with her hands resting on her knees, looking every bit the picture of poise.


    Grady nced in the rearview mirror at Miss Mira and couldn''t help but think, daughters really are a gift.


    Clearing his throat, he checked the time, "Oh, by the way, your brother Zach is also in Riverdale for work. I''ve arranged for us to have dinner together."


    Mirabe nodded, her gaze lingering outside the window. She pulled out her phone and sent a message to Owen.


    Owen had just wrapped up his paperwork. His phone had been sitting next to him, and now he finally had a moment to check it.


    Amidst work reminders and updates, he spotted the message from Mirabe. Just as he was about to open it, Johnny knocked and walked briskly into his office.