Behind the guy, lounging on a casual sofa, sat Dane, still talking away, "You know


    I haven''t bugged you in years, but this project is huge. If you could help me sort out the equipment, it''d really boost the safety features. Come on, say you''ll do it."


    The person at the window didn''t even nce back, eyes glued to something outside. It wasn''t until he saw a white figure below lift its head that he turned slightly towards Dane, "Hmm?"


    Dane was taken aback, "!!"


    Noticing Dane''s slightly annoyed look, James finally seemed to catch on, asking, "What''s the Science Institute working on with Prestige College?"


    Thrown by the unrted question, Dane hesitated before replying, "It''s a branch of the marine exploration project. They''re trying to integrate a life system into the third-gen intelligent robots to give them human-like independent thinking."


    Ah, that makes sense.


    James thought for a moment, then nodded, "Alright."


    "By ''alright,'' do you mean you''ll help us with the gear?" Dane asked, a bit cautiously.


    James nodded, easy-going as ever, "Yep."


    Dane, who had a whole arsenal of reasons ready and had even considered ying the sympathy card, was suddenly speechless: "!!!"


    He couldn''t believe his ears; his mentor agreed just like that?!


    While Dane was still reeling, James added slowly, "But I''m not doing it for free."


    Dane snapped back to reality, nodding eagerly, "No problem at all."


    He wasn''t sure why his wealthy apprentice was interested in the Science Institute''s funds, but as long as he was helping, a littlepensation was fine.


    Anyway, the money he donated yearly was substantial; it was like moving funds from one pocket to another.


    In a hurry, fearing his apprentice might change his mind, Dane immediately called his assistant to draft the cooperation agreement.


    He''d only rx once the agreement was signed.


    James watched Dane''s frantic actions, shook his head with a slight smile, and nced back out the window. The chair, which had been upied moments ago, was now empty.


    Raising an eyebrow, James pulled out his phone.


    *


    Mirabe had been sitting outside for a while before heading back to the lounge.


    Just as she settled in, her Messenger pinged.


    James: "When are you heading out?"


    Mirabe blinked at the message, then shot back a "?"


    No sooner did she send it than her phone buzzed with a call, which she answered right away.


    "I meant when are you leaving the Science Institute," James''s smooth voice flowed through.


    Mirabe paused, nced at the door, and asked, "You''re at the Science Institute?"


    James: "Yep."


    Mirabe was a bit surprised but didn''t press further, "I''m not sure. I''ll leave as soon as the school signs the cooperation agreement. Shouldn''t be long."


    James''s fingers drummed lightly on the windowsill, then he proposed, "I''ll be about fifteen more minutes here. Want to head back together?"


    Mirabe considered it and agreed, "Sounds good. I''ll call once everything''s wrapped up."


    James gave an affirmative response.


    Just as Mirabe hung up, Dr. King and Calvin, fresh from signing the cooperation agreement, walked in.


    Dr. King opened his mouth, probably to say they were good to go, but Calvin jumped in first, "What did you do this time to tick Hank off?"