Chapter 32 Dr. N Is Your Alumna
Professor Frank's tone carried nostalgia, admiration, and an indescribable pride.
More importantly, she had been a colleague in the same laboratory under the same mentor, with more than fifty years separating their ages.
Their 106-year-old mentor, Rivo, had personally taken her under his wing because of her extraordinary talent.
No one could imagine the scene of a 106-year-old man working alongside a 20-year-old girl in the laboratory, while he could only assist them from the sidelines.
The lifelong dream that Rivo had never achieved, she had somehow made a reality.
Later, she founded Bluebird Tech and assembled a research team with several close classmates, while Matthew from the Moore family had been helping her manage the company.
Bluebird Tech went public in Novaria in just a year and a half, achieving a market capitalization of hundreds of billions of dollars.
"Speaking of which, Nicholas, if you hadn't chosen to graduate early and return home, you might have witnessed her rise to fame at the academy firsthand."
Nicholas's heart clenched suddenly.
Professor Frank's statement contained an overwhelming amount of information.
"That's right, she's your alumna!"
Professor Frank watched Nicholas's eyes widen slightly as he slowly revealed a shocking fact.
"Just two years behind you."
Alumna? Nicholas's mind raced through some blurry fragments.
During his studies in Novaria, he had been so absorbed in research that he paid little attention to the people and events around him, especially students who enrolled after him.
He had completed all his coursework and research projects ahead of schedule and left the academy.
Could it be that the legendary Dr. N was actually his alumna?
"At the academy, she was a miracle."
Professor Frank's voice carried wonder.
"Her talent, her dedication, her innovative thinking—I've never seen anything like it in my life."
"Many people said she was God's gift to humanity, a savior for the future."
Nicholas felt his breathing become unsteady.
He forced himself to remain composed.
An alumna, just two years behind him, someone who had never left a clear impression in his memory, had become Dr. N—capable of changing the entire landscape of world medicine?
This realization seemed absurd, yet it carried an inexplicable sense of connection.
But why had his people, after searching Novaria for years, found no trace of her?
His fingers gripping the coffee cup unconsciously tightened.
A crucial question nearly escaped his lips.
He adjusted his breathing rhythm.
"Professor Frank, do you know Dr. N's true identity?"
Nicholas's voice carried a barely perceptible urgency and tension.
He smiled, his face full of pride. "Of course!"
Suddenly, he stopped himself. He had promised Rivo that he would protect her well and safeguard her Bluebird Tech.
Previously, the Laurent family had caused her quite a bit of trouble.
"Professor Frank, could you tell me her true identity? I'd like to invite her to visit the Harrison Group."
Nicholas's voice was almost trembling.
Because the mysterious Dr. N he had been searching for three years, was about to be revealed!
Professor Frank coughed and cleared his throat.
"Nicholas, Dr. N's identity is somewhat special. For her protection, I may not be able to directly tell you who she is."
Nicholas felt as if someone had doused him with cold water, his blood running cold.
"However, I have her Facebook. I can share it with you—you can try adding her. If she's willing to accept your friend request, then you two can communicate further."
Professor Frank's surprising turn gave him a glimmer of hope again.
'Crafty old fox!' Nicholas cursed silently.
Still, it was better than nothing! He would make sure she accepted his request!
"Alright, thank you so much, Professor Frank!"
He methodically picked up his phone, replied to two voice messages, then slowly pushed the contact over.
Nicholas looked at the cute little rabbit avatar with the nickname simply "N."
His heart couldn't help but race with excitement.
In his world, among the twenty-six letters of the alphabet, N was a mysterious and untouchable presence!
He quickly sent a friend request, including his real name.
Then he waited patiently!
They chatted for another half hour before Nicholas stood up to take Professor Frank to a welcome dinner.
Professor Frank politely declined. "Nicholas, someone has already arranged lunch. Why don't you come with me? We can all get together."
Nicholas paused, then nodded. "Alright, I'll take advantage of your connections."
He was curious to see who dared to steal his guest!
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the Vast Star Hotel, Emerald City's landmark seven-star hotel, owned by the Martinez family.
A server guided them to an upscale private dining room.
The door was pushed open by a waiter, and a mixture of food aromas and expensive incense wafted out.
Nicholas followed Professor Frank inside.
The room was spacious, with a round table that could seat twenty people at its center, already laden with exquisite dishes, steam rising appetizingly.
About a dozen people were seated inside. When they saw Professor Frank enter, they all stood up in unison, leaving the two main seats at the head of the table empty.
"Professor Frank."
Everyone greeted him in chorus, their voices clearly filled with reverence.
Nicholas scanned the room and only recognized Emma and Matthew.
The other dozen or so people looked quite young, well-dressed but not like business people—they had more of the refined air of scholars.
"Please, sit down. Don't be formal."
Professor Frank waved his hand and walked directly to the empty seat next to Emma.
He looked at Emma with the concern of an elder, "Emma, you've lost weight."
Emma curved her lips slightly, "Professor Frank, you look much more energetic."
Her address of "Professor Frank" indicated she didn't want to reveal his other identity here.
Professor Frank, having lived to this age, immediately understood, saying no more.
Matthew raised his water glass, his gaze falling on Nicholas with undisguised scrutiny.
"I never expected that a private Moore Group gathering would attract you, Mr. Harrison."
The words sounded polite but were actually sarcastic.
Nicholas was the richest man in Emerald City. When had he ever been snubbed like this, as if he were an unwelcome guest?
His expression darkened.
Nicholas pulled at the corner of his mouth in response.
"You're too kind, Mr. Moore. I'm just accompanying Professor Frank. I didn't expect Mr. Moore to have such deep connections with Professor Frank as well."
The two men exchanged barbs, their words laden with hidden meaning, filling the air with invisible gunpowder.
Professor Frank spoke up at the right moment.
"Alright, we're all acquaintances here. Stop standing around and sit down to eat."
The atmosphere finally relaxed somewhat.
Nicholas was seated on Professor Frank's other side, separated from Emma by one person.
Soon, food and drinks were served, and the atmosphere gradually became more lively.
Matthew, as the host, raised his glass first.
"Today, we're honored to have Professor Frank with us. Everyone here represents the elite talent of the Moore Group. Raise your glasses to welcome Professor Frank—a toast to Professor Frank."
Everyone raised their glasses in response.
Emma had an orange-colored fruit juice in front of her—she wasn't drinking alcohol.
After the toast, she turned to speak with him in a low voice, seemingly discussing some academic matter.
Nicholas couldn't hear the specific content, only catching a few botanical terms.
Then, Professor Frank seemed to remember something. He carefully took out an item wrapped in special material from his cloth bag and handed it to Emma.
"He asked me to bring this over and personally deliver it to you!"
Emma accepted it and opened it to look. Her eyes instantly lit up with indescribable joy.