Chapter 149
Hannah let out a soft laugh and said, “Oh, Professor, you know how KY is with their confidentiality agreements. My lips are sealed,”
Her tone was deliberately ambiguous, and Albert’s eyes lit up with curiosity. Switching tactics, he asked, “In the paper on protease inhibitors, how did you come up with the idea for the final ingredient?”
A fleeting image of a crumpled draft paper flashed through Hannah’s mind. Her grip on her bag strap tightened as she hesitated for a moment. Then, she began to explain the experimental process and the effects of that particular ingredient.
Her explanation was so thorough that Albert was now almost certain she was Professor Colton.
“You majored in pharmaceutical analysis, yet the protease inhibitors are entirely based on herbal medicine. I never would’ve guessed you had such expertise in this area too,” Albert said, clearly impressed.
Traditional Medicine wasn’t exactly a priority at KY, but the success of herbal–based inhibitors had turned heads, prompting KY to establish a dedicated lab for further research.
The breakthrough even inspired many students to apply for overseas studies, hoping to join the lab.
Before the protease inhibitors, Madelyn had already published several influential papers on pharmaceutical analysis.
This was precisely why Martin was so eager to invite her to Mandino University.
Finally, Albert revealed his true purpose. “Martin is retiring next year, and he’d like to invite you to Mandino University as a graduate advisor.”
Hannah blinked, stunned. “Invite me?”
‘Wait, does he actually think I’m Professor Colton? No way… Hannah’s mind raced as she tried to process the situation. Her cheeks flushed slightly. “I’m sorry, Professor, I—”
“Don’t be so quick to say no,” Albert interrupted with a smile. “You’re incredibly talented. Martin has promised that you’ll only need to mentor one batch
of graduate students. In three years, you’ll be promoted to a Ph.D. mentor.”
A Ph.D. mentor was a title far beyond what a KY team leader could ever hope to achieve.
After the controversy surrounding the beauty cream, whispers questioning Hannah’s abilities had grown louder. Even during her substitute teaching, some students had made snide remarks.
Becoming a Ph.D. mentor would silence all the rumors. The thought was undeniably tempting.
Hannah hesitated before asking, “Professor, you’re really serious about this?”
Albert nodded firmly.
He was inviting her–Hannah–not the elusive Professor Colton.
Hannah finally spoke, “Professor, I’d like to think it over.”
“Alright, I’ll be waiting for your good news,” said Albert.
1
Albert rushed to Martin’s office, eager to share the good news, only to find that he had already gone home.
Worried that Hannah might decline and disappoint Martin, Albert decided to wait for a definite answer before informing him.
The moment Martin stepped into his house, a strong medicinal smell hit him. He scanned the room and spotted his daughter lounging on the sofa, her face covered with a thick, black mask.
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11:01 Wed 4 Jun MUI
Chapter 149
“Dad? What are you doing back?” Vivian Schmidt asked.
Martin rarely came home, sometimes staying away for months. Seeing her father suddenly appear, Vivian was visibly startled,
Martin asked, “What are you putting on your face this time?”
Martin walked over, peeled the mask off her face, and froze at the sight of angry red patches. “What happened to your face?” he demanded.
Vivian snatched the mask back from him and slapped it back on. She explained how she and others had experienced allergic reactions to Hannah’s beauty balm and how Aria had helped treat their skin.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” asked Martin.
Vivian rolled her eyes. “You’re never home. What’s the point of telling you?”
Concerned about his daughter’s condition, Martin said, “Show me the treatment plan Aria gave you.”
Vivian complied.
Martin scrolled through the photos, his astonishment growing with every detail he read. “She customized a different treatment plan for each of you?”
Vivian said, “Exactly. I went to several labs, and none of them could identify the ingredients in the beauty balm. Aria single–handedly identified the components in over a dozen bottles. She’s way more capable than Hannah, who didn’t live up to the hype.”
The treatment plan was specifically designed for allergies caused by chemical agents. The meticulous notes and detailed process felt eerily familiar–just like Professor Colton’s unmistakable style.
Martin fell silent. Aria was twenty–two years old, matching the description given by Lance.
He had met Aria once before and had sensed then that she was no ordinary girl.
Feeling a surge of excitement, Martin asked, “Do you know what her previous name was?”
“Yeah,” Vivian replied, recalling a livestream that had spread rumors about her. “Her old name was Madelyn Colton.”
