In the corporate world, using connections to get things done is nothing new. Joseph hadn''t taken any bribes; he just reached out to Hank because they''d worked together before. Joseph couldn''t believe something so trivial could lead to him being forced out.


    "A small matter?" J casually brushed some lint off his jacket. "Do you know who wrote the development program for the first generation of robots?"


    Joseph wasn''t sure why his boss was bringing this up now, but he replied quietly, "Wasn''t it thepany''s mysterious founder?"


    J stared out the window with an indifferent look. "Do you really think our domestic Al research is ahead of what''s happening abroad?"


    "Of course not," Joseph responded instinctively. "Foreign countries are at least three to five years ahead in big data..." He trailed off as the implications hit him.


    They''d approached Tech Center specifically for the Al big database, and now J was bringing up the robot development program. Joseph wasn''t naive; he understood the deeper issues at y. If the Al database was written by thepany''s mysterious founder, he wouldn''t just face losing his job-his reputation could be ruined for good.


    A chill ran down Joseph''s spine. He realized Hank had really thrown him under the bus.


    Meanwhile, in the car, Zane sighed for what seemed like the umpteenth time. "Mirabe, I know you''re upset, but in the real world, folks without much power often get pushed around."


    Mirabe''s face was calm. She nodded slightly, lost in her thoughts and keeping silent.


    Noticing this, Zane continued, "If Mr. Calvin wants to talk to youter, juste to me. This mess started because of me. If I''d turned down the DO Group from the start, maybe none of this would''ve happened. If they demand an apology..."


    Mirabe cut him off, "They won''t."


    Zane was caught off guard, not quite understanding her confidence. "The DO Group won''t demand an apology," Mirabe repeated. In fact, they might soon be the onesing to apologize to the university.


    Zane raised an eyebrow, ncing at the rearview mirror. "How are you so sure?"


    Mirabe just gave a mysterious smile. "Just a hunch."


    Zane: "..."


    If she didn''t sound so dismissive, he


    might actually


    believe hel


    didn''t borate and instead started


    scrolling on her phone.


    Zane couldn''t quite figure out his student, but somehow, his earlier worries began to ease.


    Twenty minutester, they were back at the university. It wasn''t long before Mr. Calvin stormed in.


    After


    some heat from Hank,


    Calvin''s first move was to burst into


    Za mess you''ve created today?"


    office, fuming. "Do you realize


    Zane was ready for Calvin''s outburst, so he just shrugged it off. "Really? Well, it''s done now."


    Calvin was even more infuriated by Zane''sid-back attitude. "Zane, have you lost your mind? Do you even know what you''re saying?"


    Zane met Calvin''s gaze calmly. "I know exactly what I''m saying. But Mr. Calvin, do you remember where your loyalties lie?"