56 The Professor’s Unspoken Disdain
56 The Professor’s Unspoken Disdain
Zachary Newman’s keynote address captivated the audience with its brilliant insights. and visionary concepts. Hismanding presence held everyone’s attention for the full hour. When he concluded, thunderous apuse filled the exhibition hall.
“Thank you for your attention,” Newman said with a slight nod before stepping away from the podium.
As he descended from the stage, a swarm of industry executives moved forward, eager to exchange even a few words with the renowned professor. Newman acknowledged them with brief, polite responses, his expression remaining impassive.
The event coordinator guided him to his assigned seat in the front row. People continued to approach, offering business cards and attempting to initiate
conversations. Newman epted the cards mechanically, rarely making eye contact for more than a second.
Damien Thorne rose from his seat, Vivienne Dubois at his side. He waited for a momentary break in the crowd before approaching Newman.
“Professor Newman,” Damien said, extending his hand. “It’s been over ten years.”
Newman’s eyes flickered briefly to Damien’s face. He shook the offered hand with minimal pressure. “Thorne<b>.</b>”
The single–word response hung in the air. Damien maintained hisposed expression, seemingly unfazed by the cool reception.
“I believe you know of Vivienne Dubois, Damien continued, gesturing to the woman beside him. “Shepleted her doctoral work on neural pathway mapping at Cambridgest year<b>.” </b>
Vivienne stepped forward with practiced grace, her smile dazzling. “Professor Newman, your work on quantum neuralworks has been foundational to my research. I’d love to discuss how it intersects with my findings on cognitive pattern. recognition.”
Newman’s gaze settled on her briefly. “Ms. Dubois.”
He nodded once, then turned to acknowledge the person seated next to him,
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56 The Professor’s Unspoken Disdain
effectively ending the interaction. Vivienne’s smile faltered slightly at the abrupt dismissal.
As they returned to their seats, Vivienne leaned close to Damien. “That unexpectedly cold. Does he treat everyone that way?”
<b>“</b>Yes,” Damien replied simply.
t was
“He barely acknowledged my research, Vivienne said, a note of frustration edging her
voice. “I specifically mentioned topics rted to <i>his </i>current work.
“Newman isn’t known for social graces,” Damien said. “He evaluates people based on their intellectual contributions, not their conversational skills.”
Vivienne watched as Newman engaged in what appeared to be the longest exchange he’d had since descending from the stage–a brief conversation with the person seated beside him about quantumputing applications.
“Even so, that was unusually dismissive, Vivienne persisted. “Did something happen between you two? A falling out of some kind?”
Damien’s expression remained unreadable. “No falling out.”
“Then why-”
“He doesn’t think much of me,” Damien said quietly.
Vivienne waited for boration, but Damien offered nothing more. His attention had shifted to the next speaker taking the stage.
The remainder of the conference proceeded with presentations from various industry leaders. Throughout the sessions, Newman remained in his front row seat, his posture rigid and attention focused forward. He rarely spoke unless directly addressed.
During the closing remarks, whispers began circting through the crowd.
“I heard Newman’s staying in the city for a few days.”
“Apparently, he’s interested in some local research project.”
“Whoever catches his attention could secure the next big funding grant.”
The conference concluded with final acknowledgments from the organizers. As attendees began gathering their belongings andworking in small groups, Vivienne
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58 The Professor’s Unspoken Disdain.
studied Newman with renewed interest.
“If he’s staying, we should arrange a proper meeting,” she said thoughtfully. “Perhaps<b>. </b>dinner at The Ashford? I know the owner”
Damien checked his phone, scrolling through messages. “Newman doesn’t do social dinners. He considers them a waste of time.”
“Everyone needs to eat,” Vivienne countered. “And everyone has their price. What’s his weakness?”
“Intellectual challenge,” Damien replied without looking up. “Nothing else matters to him.”
Vivienne considered this information carefully. “Then I’ll prepare a proper presentation of my research. Something that will provoke his interest..”
“Do as you wish,” Damien said, his tone indicating the end of the conversation.
Across the hall, Julian Croft was engaged in animated discussion with ra Vance. Their heads were bent over a tablet, reviewing data points and graphs.
“Newman’s speech validated our approach,” Julian said, gesturing to a particr chart. “His quantum processing methods align perfectly with your adaptive learning 1.amework.”
ra nodded, making notes on the tablet. “We should adjust these parameters based on his insights about neural decay rates. That could improve our response time significantly.
Julian nced around the dispersing crowd. “Did you see how quickly he dismissed everyone? The man’s legendary for hisck of small talk”
“He’s always been that way,” ra replied. “Even back when I was in his graduate seminar. It’s not personal–he just doesn’t see the point in conversations that don’t advance understanding.”
“Yet you managed to impress him enough that he remembered you yearster, Julian observed.
ra smiled slightly. “Only because I challenged his theorem and provided data he couldn’t ignore. Newman respects good science, regardless of who produces it.”
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66 The Professor’s Unspoken Disdain
Julian’s phone chimed with a notification. He checked the screen, his eyebrows raising. *Interesting. I just got an email from the conference organizers. Newman has
requested a private meeting tomorrow with several selected participants.”
ra looked up from the tablet. “About what?”
“Doesn’t say,” Julian replied<b>, </b>scrolling through the message. “Just that he wants to discuss ‘potential coborative opportunities‘ with a small group. And,” he added with a meaningful nce at ra, “YodaVision is on the list.”
“That’s a significant opportunity,” ra said thoughtfully.
“Indeed, Julian agreed. “And perfe quarter.”
timing, considering our new projectunch next
As they gathered their materials, ra noticed Damien and Vivienne making their way toward the exit. Damien paused briefly, his gaze meeting ra’s across the crowded hall. For a moment, something unreadable flickered in his expression before he turned away, continuing toward the door with Vivienne at his side.
Julian followed her line of sight. “Everything alright?
“Yes,” ra said, refocusing on their conversation. “Just thinking about how to
pproach tomorrow’s meeting.”
Outside the conference hall, attendees clustered in small groups, exchanging business cards and continuing discussions. The buzz about Newman’s extended stay dominated
many conversations.
roject one executive told another.
“They say he’s looking for a particr type of “Something involving quantum adaptive learning”
“Whatever it is,nding Newman’s endorsement would be a game–changer for anypany,” hispanion replied.
As ra and Julian walked toward the parking area, they passed close to where Damien stood waiting <b>for </b>his driver. Vivienne was engaged in conversation with another conference attendee several steps away.
Damien’s gaze followed ra’s movements, his expression unreadable. When Julian’s phone rang and he stepped aside to take the call, ra found herself momentarily
alone near Damien.
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58 The Professor’s Unspoken Disdain
“I understand you’ve been invited to Newman’s meeting tomorrow,” Damien said quietly, breaking the silence between them.
ra turned, surprised by his initiation of conversation. “Yes. Julian just received the
notification<b>.</b><b>” </b>
“Congrattions,” Damien said, his tone neutral. “Newman doesn’t waste time on projects he doesn’t find promising.”
Before ra could respond, Vivienne rejoined Damien, looping her arm through his. She nced at ra with a dismissive smile.
“Ready to go, darling? I’ve made dinner reservations at Mn’s,” Vivienne said to Damien before turning to ra. “Oh, ra, I didn’t see you there.”
“Vivienne, ra acknowledged with a slight nod.
Julian returned from his call, positioning himself subtly at ra’s side. “Our car is ready,” he said, focusing his attention solely on ra.
As they walked away, ra could feel Damien’s gaze following them. She didn’t look
In the car, Julian broke the silence. “What was that about?”
“Apparently, Damien knows about Newman’s meeting tomorrow,” ra replied.
“Interesting,” Julian mused. “I wonder if Thorne Industries received an invitation as
well.”
“I don’t know,” ra said truthfully. “He didn’t mention it.”
Julian nced at her. “How do you feel about potentially working in proximity to your soon–to–be ex–husband?”
ra considered the question carefully. “My personal situation with Damien has no bearing on YodaVision’s opportunities. If coborating with Newman advances our work, then that’s what matters.”
As the car merged into evening traffic, ra found herself wondering about Damien’s carlierment. The rumor about Newman staying in town was spreading quickly among conference attendees, creating an undercurrent of anticipation and spection about his intentions.
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66 The Professor’s Unspoken Disdain
Whatever tomorrow would bring. ra was determined to approach it with
professional focus, regardless of whichpanies–or people–might be involved in Newman’s mysterious meeting.
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