Mirabe had acupuncture scheduled for Frank today, and after wrapping up her two afternoon sses, she headed out of the department. Before leaving campus, she made a quick stop at the Physics Department because Dr. Elliot wanted to see her.


    When she arrived at his office, Dr. Elliot was busy with a visitor. Robert, noticing this, invited her to wait in his office instead.


    "Dr. Elliot is in a meeting with Mr. Hammond right now, but they should be done soon," Robert said, handing Mirabe a ss of water with a friendly smile.


    Mirabe took the ss and thanked him politely. She had ns with Johnny at five, so she wasn''t in any hurry.


    To keep her entertained, Robert grabbed a quantum mechanics book from the bookshelf—a collection of insights from the department''s professors. "You might find this interesting; it''s aption of wisdom from our faculty."


    As Mirabe nced at the book cover, memories of those daunting study years flooded back. Seems like she couldn''t quite escape it, even in college.


    Letting out a quiet sigh, she epted the book and softly said, "...Thank you, Mr. Robert."


    "No problem at all," Robert replied, waving a hand amiably before returning to his work, leaving Mirabe with the book.


    She settled in and began flipping through the pages, absorbed in the content.


    About fifteen minutester, there was a gentle knock on the partly open door. Mirabe looked up and saw Dr. Elliot standing there.


    "Mirabe, can youe out here?" he gestured for her to join him.


    As she reached the doorway, Dr. Elliot introduced her, "This is the exceptional student I was telling you about, Mirabe," he said to a dignified man beside him.


    Turning to Mirabe, he continued, "This is Mr. Hammond."


    Mirabe nodded politely, "Hello, Mr. Hammond."


    Mr. Hammond studied Mirabe for a moment. He''d heard her name before and was impressed by herposed demeanor. If his memory served him right, she was the one who toppedst year''s high schoolpetition.


    Nodding with approval, he said, "Great job, keep it up!"


    Standing next to Mr. Hammond was a striking young woman who gazed at Mirabe with a mix of admiration and curiosity, as if trying to ce her face.


    Mr. Hammond''s voice soon interrupted her thoughts, "I''ll have to head out now, but think more about the joint research project,” he said to Elliot seriously.


    Elliot nodded, "Sure, I''ll get back to you in a few days."


    "Alright."


    With that, Mr. Hammond and the young woman left.


    As they walked away, the young woman nced back at Mirabe, still trying to remember where she''d seen her. Once in the elevator, she turned to Mr. Hammond and asked, "Was that student with Dr. Elliot? The one we just saw?"


    Mr. Hammond, unsure of Mirabe''s current major, nodded, "Yes, she made our country proudst year by winning first ce in an internationalpetition. Quite impressive."


    Yara''s eyes widened in surprise, "She was the one who won first ce in the internationalpetitionst year?"