"Carlson," Roseanne suddenly said, cutting him off. Her interruption surprised the others, who knew her to be more reserved.


    Carlson turned to look at her.


    "Before you announce your decision," Roseanne said, "there are a few things I want


    to say."


    "Okay," Carlson replied, his expression serious.


    "As a member of Boundless Lab, you receive a monthly sry. It''s based on a tiered system-Researcher, Assistant Scientist, Scientist, Senior, and Principal Scientist. Your title is one factor, but your research output is another. You''re aware of this, right?"


    Carlson nodded. "I am."


    But he didn''t understand why Roseanne was bringing it up now.


    "Theb is prepared to offer you an advance on your sry for the next ten years. The initial estimate is four million dors. Of course, this is just a projection. Your actual earnings could be more or less, but this is the amount theb can advance you."


    Carlson was stunned. "R-Roseanne_"


    Mr. Smith''s eyes went wide with disbelief. No one had ever told him that studying and doing research could earn so much money. After all, he''d never heard Carlson mention getting paid for the work he did with his previous mentor, let alone a sum this astronomical.


    "This money should be enough to solve your immediate problems," Roseanne continued, "but ites with conditions."


    "Since it''s a sry advance, it means you must remain with Boundless Lab for the next ten years. You can''t ept offers from other institutions. You''ll also be required to meet annual targets for academic output and achieve the corresponding promotions."


    This wasn''t charity or pity. At most, it was an early investment from Roseanne and a retention strategy for theb. Good researchers were rare, and a researcher with Carlson''s talent and work ethic was even rarer. His potential had earned him this offer.


    1.n&


    Carlson exchanged a look with his father. The two of them had already decided to stay. Ack of money can bring down even the strongest person In their situation, staying in the vge meant they could at least rely on their cherry orchard to survive. Moving to the city would make it hard to even put food on the table. If the Moores wanted revenge, they would just have to face it when it came. They never imagined there would be another way.


    Four million dors... It was enough for them to move to the city, cover his mother''s medical bills, buy a home, and pay for Gail''s education, with enough left over for Mr. Smith to start a small business.


    If Roseanne had simply offered him the money as a gift, Carlson would have nevekepted it And from the perspective of Roseanne and Corley, even though they could afford it, there was no reason to just hand someone four million dors. Cóntent


    But this arrangement was perfect. Roseanne was spending money to secure Carlson''s loyalty for the next decade. It was a good deal for her. And for Carlson, the money wasnt a handout or charity; it was


    work.


    "Is there a contract?" Carlson asked.


    Roseanne nodded. "Yes."


    She was keeping it strictly business.


    Carlson visibly rxed. "Okay. I agree."


    Roseanne promptly produced a printed contract and a pen, handing them to him. "Look it over. If everything seems right, you can sign. The money will be in your ount this afternoon."


    Carlson opened the document and began to read it carefully.


    Mamie couldn''t help but chime in, "Don''t worry, Roseanne would never trick you!" If


    it were her, she would have just signed it without a second thought.


    Scales shook his head in disagreement. "It''s always best to read a contract carefully. It''s better for both Carlson and Roseanne that way."


    Mamie paused, then quickly corrected herself. "Right, right! I just mean that Roseanne is trustworthy and wouldn''t cheat anyone. But you should definitely still check all the details."