Professor Gilbert had always been the picture of gentle composure.
So it turned out he was capable of an anger this big too.
I looked at him.
And suddenly I laughed.
"Take whoever you want into your group…"
I nodded.
Then I turned and walked out of the office.
Fine, then.
The project in my hands.
Was mine to give to whoever I wanted too.
I'd been saving this university-industry partnership project for him.
I knew.
Dad's research group had run into some trouble lately.
They badly needed a big project to prop them up.
Dad was the great professor I'd looked up to since I was a child.
I believed he could do it well.
But now.
I didn't want to give it to him anymore.
Back at the company.
A signed contract was sitting on my desk.
The university-industry partnership project.
The partner—
Professor Alfred Gilbert.
Alfred Gilbert.
Was my father.
I called my subordinate in on the spot.
"Who authorized handing this project over to Professor Gilbert!"
She looked at me, a little frightened.
"This… didn't you agree to it, Director Gilbert?"
"Me?"
I frowned.
"Yes… yes, Deputy Manager Delgado had your seal… he said you'd agreed to it."
I stared at her, unable to believe it.
"Warren Delgado?"
She nodded.
Warren Delgado.
Was my boyfriend.
I asked around and found out where Warren had gone.
Then I raced over to the biggest restaurant in the city.
Outside the private room.
I heard the clink of glasses from inside.
My boyfriend Warren's voice came through.
"For my sister to have the honor of joining your research group, Professor Gilbert—truly, the honor is all hers."
"You're too kind. Your sister has the ability in her own right. If I get to take on a student like her next year, the honor is really mine."
I froze in the doorway.
Warren's sister was taking the grad school exams next year.
He… was pulling strings for his own sister?
"Professor Gilbert, if Carrie Delgado doesn't meet your group's standards, please don't force yourself to take her just to save my face.
"This project was always meant for people with real ability. Whether or not you take Carrie, partnering with you is an honor for our company.
"And on that, my word is final."
The door opened.
Two men looked over at me, startled.
"One moment, Professor Gilbert."
Warren stood up.
He grabbed my arm and pulled me off to where no one could hear.
"What are you doing here!"
"The question is why you're here!"
I clenched my teeth, looking at him.
"Didn't I say this project was going to someone else!"
Warren sighed.
"Carolyn, you know how badly Carrie wants to get into grad school!
"She's failed two years running. If she doesn't make it this time, she'll fall apart!
"You're going to be her sister-in-law. Can't you show a little understanding?"
Understanding.
That word again.
When Dad gave me a zero.
The teachers told me to be understanding.
When Warren overstepped and agreed to hand the project to Dad.
He told me to be understanding too.
"I keep being understanding toward all of you—who's going to be understanding toward me!
"Warren! Do you have any idea I could hold you liable for the company's losses under the rules for this!"
It was rare for me to be this hard.
Warren looked at me like he couldn't believe it.
"You…"
"Warren! Sis! So this is where you two are!"
A familiar voice rang out.
I hadn't expected it.
Jemima was here too.
I looked at Warren.
He avoided my eyes.
This dinner, the one that decided the project deal.
Jemima was here for it too.
