Juniper''s words hung in the air, and Byron, who had been preening with self- satisfaction just a moment ago, looked mortified.


    "Never heard of me?"


    He was famous at Era University, even nationally within theputer science industry. How could she not have heard of him?


    "That''s right," Juniper said, looking up at him with her clear, pretty face. Her expression was earnest as she repeated slowly, enunciating each word as if for a child, "I. Don''t. Know. You."


    Each word felt like a p across Byron''s face.


    "You—" His expression turned ugly, but he fought to maintain hisposure. "You''re new to the field, so it''s understandable."


    He pulled a personal resume from his briefcase and handed it to Juniper with a magnanimous air. "Take this and read it carefully. You can look me up online; it''s easy enough to find me. If you have any second thoughts, feel free to find me anytime."


    Juniper''s brow furrowed as she looked down at the resume now resting on top of her precious snacks.


    Tucker saw exactly what was happening. The nerve of this guy, trying to poach his student right in front of him! It was true he couldn''tpete with Byron in terms of fame, funding, or resources. He wondered if the girl would change her mind.


    "I''ll be going now," Byron said, shooting Tucker a meaningful, mocking nce before leaving. He''did it all out for her and given her his credentials. Juniper was a smart girl; she would naturally figure out which advisor would offer her a brighter future. A top scorer like her deserved to be mentored by a renowned professor like him. Leaving her with a nobody like Tucker was just a waste of talent.


    On her way back to the dorm, Juniper nced at Byron''s resume. It was filled with


    titles and awards, but none of them seemed particrly meaningful.


    This was a nationally renowned figure? Seemed like a lot of fluff.


    Losing interest, she casually tossed the resume into a nearby trash can and continued on, hugging her snacks.


    After getting her things from her dorm, she walked out through the north gate and spotted a car parked discreetly in a corner.


    "Ms. Payne," Felton said respectfully, opening the car door for her. "My boss is inside."


    Shanley had be a recognizable face on campus after the opening ceremony, so he couldn''t show himself publicly.


    "Okay." Juniper slid into the car and saw him on the phone, handling business.


    "Proceed with the first n..."


    Seeing Juniper, Shanley instinctively took her bag. As he did, his eyesnded on the spicy jerky sticks inside, and he frowned slightly.


    "That''s all for now." He ended the call abruptly and pulled out the snacks. "Where did you get these?"


    "My professor gave them to me," Juniper said, quickly snatching them back and stuffing them into her bag.


    "These things are full of artificial vorings and additives. They''re not healthy" Shanley said softly, cing a pre prepared fruit tter in front of her. "Have some fruit instead, okay?"


    "No," Juniper said, her brow


    furrowing. She looked at him, hem et


    clear eyes firm, her voice tinged with annoyance. "I want the jerky sticks."


    Meeting her determined gaze, Shanley couldn''t bring himself to refuse. He let out a helplessugh. "Alright. But just a little."


    Her mood instantly brightened. "Open it for me," she said, handing him the package.


    "Be careful, it''s spicy."


    Unable to be too strict with her, Shanley tore it open. The pungent smell made him wrinkle his nose, the gir beside him was already eating happily.