The assistant nced at Hank before rying everything Calvin had said on the phone.


    After listening, Hank''s brow furrowed deeply, his voice betraying neither joy nor anger, "He applied for the patent in advance?"


    The assistant''s head hung a bit low, "Yes, we''re just waiting for the certificate to be issued. And since the copyright for software begins from the date of application, our authorization letter to Mr. Calvin is legally ineffective."


    Hank''s expression darkened. Dane had just brought up the patent issue. Without it, wouldn''t their department be aughingstock?


    Seeing Hank silent, the assistant hesitantly spoke again, "I asked Grayson. Now, unless Prestige College withdraws their application, the patent rights won''t likely fall to our tech institute."


    "What''s Mr. Calvin''s stance?" Hank asked instead.


    "He didn''t say much. I even think he might have known all along but chose now to speak up," the assistant shared his suspicion.


    Hank turned on hisputer on the desk, stating indifferently, "If he had known, he wouldn''t have prepared all those documents for us."


    "So, what do we do now?" The assistant looked at Hank. "Getting Prestige College to withdraw their patent application seems unlikely."


    Hank quickly typed a password on his keyboard, logging into his email. Upon seeing a new message, his expression shifted from cold to pleased.


    Without looking up, he told the assistant, "Nothing is impossible. Arrange another meeting with Mr. Calvin for me."


    The assistant, though surprised by Hank''sck of anger over the patent issue, saw him engrossed in hisputer and didn''t inquire further, simply responding affirmatively.


    **


    Meanwhile, Dane brought James into his office and poured him a ss of water before pulling out a blueprint, "This is the blueprint for the Moonlight Yacht. Take a look."


    James set down his water ss, unfolded the blueprint, and after a quick nce, said, "Some configurations need improvements. The old yacht''s design can''t meet the required speed and power."


    Dane nodded, "I thought so too. But you''re the best at configurations. Take this blueprint with you, and jot down any suggestions."


    James looked at Dane nonchntly, raising an eyebrow, "You''ve forgotten I''m no longer a researcher here."


    "That''s what you think. Your files and ID card are still in the records room. Want me to fetch them for you to see?" Dane said, somewhat irritably, "And how often have


    10


    sought your help in a year? This


    would take as much time as a


    bathroom break for you."Content


    Dane couldn''t fathom why he had been so eager to be his teacher back in the day.


    Other people''s apprentices were all so respectful, but his... was a whole other story.


    Sighing internally, Dane didn''t wait for James to refuse, quickly rolling up the blueprint and forcibly handing it over, "It''s decided then."


    James: "..."


    Dane coughed, adding, "I know you''re busy, so I won''t keep you any longer. You can go."


    James: "..."


    Soon after, James left the building expressionlessly, blueprint in hand.