simple, elegant cashmere sweater. The academic setting was a world away from his corporate

was absent. It was as if a long, draining fever had finally broken, l

rm. The gesture was unhurried, revealing the con

ped into his arm. A stack of papers and a worn folder sca

'm so

ng to gather the mess. He saw her pic

o hint of panic, just genuine apology. S

sir. Again,

hair pulled back in a simple, functional ponytail. She wore no makeup, and her clothes were clean bu

oice softer than usual. "Yo

atement, no

a moment, then her expres

And you ar

med. "Let's find

an outdoor c

ur file says you're on the verge of a major bre

ion and clarity that was captivating. She explained comp

ve," Ethan said, leaning b

er cup halfwa

t under

" he said, his eyes fixed on hers. "The truth is, your funding was specifically

n crossed her face, but she quickly

her voice firm. "Admitting I was a victim of academic politics makes

wer. She wasn't asking for pit

ulled, Dr. Sharma?" he

hands. "The student who received my

old knot form

ished for her, his voice flat and hard. "She sits on the

p, her eyes wide with