Cedric didn’t rush off today. A steady stream of people came up to greet him. He seemed to be in a decent mood, as he didn’t brush them all aside without the slightest courtesy with that icy expression of his.


    By the time Ariel walked over, he had just dismissed a group of people.


    When he saw her, he let out a sharp huff and sped his hands behind his back before striding toward the exit.


    Ariel fell in step with him.


    Cedric’s assistant shadowed them closely, intercepting anyone else who tried toe over and chat.


    “Could I have a word with you?” Ariel asked, knowing that Cedric was giving her a chance.


    He gave her a sidelong nce. “You’re in a league of your own now. People will be lining up for a chance to meet you. Why are you asking for my permission?”


    Ariel was rendered speechless.


    That venomous tongue of his never softened.


    She didn’t take offense, though. Instead, she kept her voice even and humble. “You tter me, Mr. Warbrooke. Honestly, today’s fiasco caught me off guard too.”


    Cedric took his time descending the steps. His tone remained sharp. “Well, from here on, your road ahead will be nothing but smooth. You’ll be one of <i>a </i>kind in the entire research field.”


    Few in the world of research ever managed to capture this much attention or honor. In fact, in their world, it was basically just him and Carlos who were household names.


    Everyone else was either known for a rare, groundbreaking contribution or for climbing to the very top of an institution. Recognition at this scale was rare.


    From here on, countless people would be curious about how far Ariel could go and what heights she might yet achieve.


    Ariel understood that well enough, but something puzzled her. “Earlier, you mentioned you knew something about Nancy’s situation. What did you mean by that?”


    Why was Cedric even tied to this?


    At that, Cedric looked at her. “It’s nothing worth mentioning. In the end, it was her choice. One thought separates good from evil. She kept harboring ill intentions. If her conscience had been clear, she wouldn’t be where she is now.”


    He wasn’t blind to Nancy’s potential. She had a sharp mind and a strong memory. She could retain the


    key points he emphasized and even put them into practice. He had never denied that she had ability.


    Ariel couldn’t quite make sense of the tangled web behind it all. But Cedric’s reaction struck her as


    surprisingly calm. He showed little sign of shock.


    “The government will step in on this matter. It spans too many levels for you to worry about. They’ll take


    care of it.” Cedric checked his watch with a cold expression.


    Without waiting for her response, he waved her off and walked away, temperamental as ever.


    As Ariel watched his retreating back, she frowned slightly.


    When Chad came out, he patted her on the shoulder. “Jan’s gone to clean up Frederick’s mess. He spoke up for Nancy in public today. Given how serious her case is, his involvement did him no favors.”


    Ariel hadn’t expected Frederick to risk so much for Nancy<b>. </b>1


    “What did Mr. Warbrooke say?” Chad asked.


    Ariel thought for a moment. “Nothing detailed. But it just feels strange that Nancy went to see him at such a critical moment and just so happened to stumble across my code.”


    Nancy had already lost two rounds. Her mindset must have shifted without her even realizing.


    At such a fragile moment, if temptations arose and shecked resolve, it would be all too easy for her to


    go astray.


    After all, evil began with a single thought. The line between saints and sinners was thinner than we


    thought.


    Chad shrugged, twisting his car keys around his finger. “Funny thing is, she turned it around and used your code of resembling hers. If you hadn’t had that trump card, she would’ve destroyed youpletely. Had she not done that, I don’t think things would have spiraled out of control like this.”


    Nancy never imagined that Ariel would have such a powerful card up her sleeve.


    Otherwise, the one being taken away for investigation right now would have been Ariel. And she would have be the embodiment of disgrace in everyone’s eyes.


    Ariel said no more. She decided it was best to leave quickly. If she lingered any longer, someone was bound to corner her, and it wouldn’t be so easy to wrap things up.