Chapter 566

567
On the way, Owen asked, “Madelyn, what do you think Flynt Hartley is after?”
Aria pondered. “The military hospital has already traced the source of the chip. If he causes trouble, just eliminate him,” she said, her tone flat and utterly devoid of emotion.
Owen grinned and said firmly, “Yeah. If he dares to hurt anyone, we’ll just take him out.”
“By the way,” recalling Adrian, Aria asked directly, “Is Professor Galan reluctant to work with companies?”
“Right,” Owen nodded. “Professor Galan got burned by businesses before.”
Owen then continued, “But if it’s with the Stars Group, that’s a different story-I can personally vouch for them.”
Adrian wouldn’t flat-out refuse, but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t have his reservations.
Owen was just vouching for them to secure an opportunity-the final outcome would entirely hinge on the Stars Group’s performance.
Aria gave a slight nod. “This isn’t urgent. Let’s handle the chip issue first. When the opportunity arises, we’ll show the project to Professor Galan.”
She believed that only when Adrian was genuinely interested would the collaboration go smoothly.
At noon, Aria had just stepped out of the lab when she unexpectedly ran into Samuel and his graduate research team emerging from the neighboring lab.
When Samuel’s students saw Aria, they politely greeted her one after another. “Hello, Ms. Saxon,” they called out.
Aria smiled. “Hello, everyone.”
Seeing his students showing so much respect to Aria, Samuel couldn’t help but feel a twinge of annoyance.
Though it irked him, Professor Liao couldn’t very well blame his students for it.
He tilted his chin up, his gaze sweeping over Aria with a trace of mocking amusement. With a tone of gloating curiosity, he said, “So, I hear the Stars Group wants to rope in Professor Adrian for their Quantum Superbrain Project?”
Aria slightly furrowed her brows. “Where did you hear about that, Mr. Chilton?”
Samuel didn’t answer her question. He just nodded to himself and said, “So it’s true, huh? I thought it was just a rumor.”
Samuel let out a cold snort, his voice dripping with disdain. “I’d advise you to drop this idea right now. I’ve known Professor Galan for years-he absolutely despises working with companies. All that scheming, office politics, and dirty tricks? He finds it downright disgusting.”
Aria gave a flat “Oh,” then said coolly, “Mr. Chilton, if you’d excuse me, I’m heading to lunch.”
Samuel was in full swing, fully expecting Aria to argue back. But her unshakable composure only soured his mood further.
“Going for lunch, huh?” he raised his voice with deliberate emphasis. “Funny coincidence! I’m having lunch with Professor Galan today.”
“The Stars Group wants to invite Professor Galan. I bet you’re dying to meet him too. Lucky for you, I’m feeling generous today-beg me nicely, and I might graciously squeeze you in,” Samuel teased.
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Aria turned and said, “Please, Mr. Chilton.”
Samuel froze, wondering why she wasn’t playing by the rules.
Aria countered with feigned innocence, “Oh? So you can’t actually make that call, Mr. Chilton? Were you just teasing me all along? I see-you don’t really have the authority here.”
Samuel snapped, “Who says I can’t decide? We’re going right now! It’s just squeezing you in. Adrian and I go way back—he won’t make a fuss about it.”
Aria chuckled. “Mr. Chilton, you certainly are popular around here.”
Samuel’s lips curled upward as he gave a derisive snort. “I’ve been at Mandino for nearly thirty years-there’s not a soul here I don’t know.”
Aria smiled lightly and added, “That’s Mr. Chilton for you.”
Samuel’s students stood rooted to the spot, watching as the two walked away together. They exchanged glances, each silently wondering what had just happened.
One of the students whispered, “Our professor is so naive!”
Another one said, “Stop pretending! Don’t tell me you guys don’t butter up the professor all the time either.”
Someone else said, “Look who’s talking!”
The students exchanged knowing glances before bursting into laughter.
When Samuel led Aria into the private dining room, they found Adrian already there, accompanied by a young male tudent.