?


    Carlson''s gaze was cast downward, his true emotions unreadable, yet the fists clenched beneath his sleeves tightened and tightened again. After what seemed like an eternity, he seemed to dete, unclenching his fists as if giving up all resistance, choosing to yield.


    "Thanks, Professor, for all your efforts over the years."


    "Of course, what are you if not my proudest pupil? It''s only right that the cream of the crop gets a bit more attention, don''t you think?"


    Carlson didn''t respond.


    He was never much for words, leaving an impression of silence and reticence among his ssmates and mentors.


    "Alright, head back. Don''t stress too much about Sybil''s thesis; it doesn''t have to be this month. Manage your time as you see fit, but I know you won''t let me down."


    Carlson turned and walked away.


    Edna settled back into her chair, leisurely sipping her tea.


    Sybil approached with a grin, "Aunt Edna, you always knows how to handle him, whipped him into shape!"


    Since borrowing ab was out of the question and Carlson refused to withdraw his application, they had no choice but to figure something out themselves.


    Mamie, usually such a foodie, was so angry she skipped dinner.


    "This is ridiculous! Completely ridiculous! Doesn''t the faculty even care?!"


    Scales replied, "The faculty only favors teams that promise more academic achievements. Besides, all of Carlson''s paperwork was in order, what reason would the faculty have to intervene?"


    Mamie sighed, her chubby hands propping up her chin, "Without ab, how are we supposed to proceed with our project?"


    Scales said, "There are plenty ofbs avable. The real issue isn''t the space, it''s the CPRT analyzer."


    With the analyzer, anyb would do.


    Mamie offhandedly asked, "Is that CPRT analyzer expensive?"


    Roseanne paused for a moment.


    Scales stopped, then after two seconds, he replied, "That''s actually a good question!"


    Immediately pulling out his phone to search, he found, "The top-of-the-line CPRT analyzer with a microscope from D country, the Everysto model, is priced at 1.26 million."


    "1.26 million..." Mamie pondered before suddenly saying, "Why don''t we just buy one?"


    Scales was bbergasted. What kind of out-of-left-field question was that?


    Roseanne was taken aback but then thought, it was actually a solid n!


    Seeing Scales'' bewildered look, Mamie asked, "What are you staring at me for?"


    "Um... did not make myself clear?


    Let me repeat, this analyzer costs et


    1.26 million, not 1.26 dors.


    swnooit?"


    Mamie nodded, "I understood you the first time, no need to repeat."


    "So, you still think... we can just buy one?"


    "Not we.


    she saidt worry, I''ve got this,"


    Low EspText ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    with augh,


    swrox


    confidently.


    Scales couldn''t tell if the issue was with Mamie''s expression or his own hearing.


    "Where are you getting that kind of money?" he challenged, expecting a bluff. Mamie replied, "I don''t have it."


    Scales gave her a look that said, ''I knew you were just kidding.''


    "But my dad does!"


    Pulling out her phone, she dialed a number-


    "Hey! Duke!"


    "My dear daughter, finally decided to call me, I''m touched, sniff."


    "Duke, I''ve got something I wanna run by you."


    "What''s up? Shoot."


    "It''s just... I''m a bit short on cash, could you wire me some?"


    "How much do you need?"


    "A million should do."


    She still had half a million in pocket money in her ount, which would be


    combined.


    kett