Chapter 66
Frank's face flushed with excitement as he gave Caroline an enthusiastic thumbs-up.
"Ms. Hamilton! This is... this is nothing short of miraculous! I've been in tech for ten years and never seen such an elegant solution! You're incredible! How did you even conceptualize this approach?"
Behind him, the technical team crowded the doorway, their eyes filled with newfound reverence.
"Don't monopolize her, Frank!" someone called out. "Ms. Hamilton, you're officially my only idol from today forward! I'd follow you into any experiment!"
"Same here! Who was spreading that garbage about Ms. Hamilton using connections to pad her credentials? Step forward—I promise I won't kill you!"
At this, two faint gasps emerged from the back of the crowd. The administrative assistants who had been most vocal with their gossip earlier now desperately tried to hide behind a taller colleague.
At the center of this storm, Caroline calmly placed her warm water glass on the desk with a soft clink.
"Thank you," she said, her gaze sweeping across their excited faces, "but this is just the beginning. The path to clinical implementation requires significant development work ahead."
With that single statement, she grounded their euphoria in reality.
Frank and the others exchanged glances, their initial excitement transforming into deeper respect. This young director's vision and perspective clearly surpassed their own.
Meanwhile, in Gavin's meeting room next door, Gavin returned breathless, clutching a yellowed archive box.
"Mr. Windsor, Ms. White, sorry for the wait! The archives are a labyrinth, but I finally found it."
He placed the box on the table and wiped sweat from his brow, completely oblivious to the celebration that had just subsided outside.
Arthur checked his watch with thinly veiled impatience. His assistant quietly reminded him of his upcoming appointments, emphasizing his tight schedule.
Heidi, noticing Arthur's restlessness, placed a soothing hand on his arm and casually remarked, "You've gone to such trouble, Mr. Bennett. It sounded quite lively outside just now. A celebration perhaps? I thought I heard someone mention... Dr. Hamilton? Your company must be full of hidden talent."
"Dr. Hamilton?" Gavin immediately perked up at the mention, his posture straightening as exhaustion gave way to unmistakable pride.
"Hidden talent doesn't begin to describe it! Ms. White, you have no idea—we've recruited a genuine master!"
"Our new Technical Director, Caroline Hamilton! She's the internationally renowned Dr. Hamilton! Impressive, right? When I first saw her credentials, my eyes nearly popped out of my head!"
Arthur's fingers froze mid-page-turn.
Caroline? Hamilton, C.?
The names collided in his mind, generating an immediate sense of absurdity.
Before he could process this, Heidi covered her mouth with a delicate laugh. "Mr. Bennett, you're quite the joker. I'm her sister—if anyone knows what my sister is capable of, it's me."
She turned to Arthur with natural familiarity, whispering, "Arthur, you know this too. My sister was barely average in college and has been a housewife ever since. How could she possibly be some brilliant doctor? Mr. Bennett must be confusing her with another Hamilton at the company."
Her explanation perfectly aligned with Arthur's established image of Caroline—ordinary, unremarkable, even somewhat embarrassing.
The doubt that had momentarily surfaced in his mind instantly evaporated.
Of course. It couldn't possibly be her.
"Mr. Bennett," Arthur's tone cooled as he tapped the yellowed box, steering the conversation back. "Are all the documents I requested in here?"
His assistant again murmured about the upcoming meeting, silently emphasizing his tight schedule.
"Oh? Yes, yes, everything's there..."
Gavin's rebuttal died in his throat, cut short by Arthur's interruption.
He opened his mouth, glancing between Arthur's authoritative expression and Heidi's seemingly innocent eyes before reluctantly surrendering to open the dusty files without further comment.
Outside, Caroline had drawn the blinds in her director's office, completely shutting out the commotion.
Frank and several core technical staff gathered around her desk, notebooks in hand, their focus unprecedented.
"Next milestone: data security. Mr. Morris, take Group A and revalidate the previous theoretical framework. I want results within three days."
Caroline's voice was cool and businesslike as her fingers moved swiftly across her tablet, bringing up new technical schematics.
"Understood!" Frank acknowledged, standing at attention.
"Group B will handle the final test models. Standards will be... maximum level."
"Yes, Director!"
With remarkable efficiency, she outlined the coming week's work—clear, structured, and purposeful.
The breakthrough solution that had just stunned the international clinical community seemed, in her presentation, merely an appetizer for what was to come.
As the meeting concluded and the team filed out, their earlier wild enthusiasm had transformed into focused determination, as if they'd received a powerful stimulant for their professional drive.
After the crowd dispersed, one figure lingered hesitantly by the door—one of the administrative assistants who had gossiped earlier.
Clutching the hem of her blouse with reddened face, she finally gathered enough courage to approach Caroline's desk, her voice barely audible.
"Ms. Hamilton... I'm sorry. I was thoughtless, speaking behind your back..."
Caroline's gaze never left her screen as she continued reviewing documents, acknowledging the apology with only the faintest sound.
The woman waited, growing increasingly uncomfortable as no further response came. Just as tears of embarrassment threatened to fall, thinking termination was imminent, she heard:
"Focus on your job. Zenith Technologies doesn't carry deadweight."
No punishment. Not even a reprimand. But this complete dismissal stung more than any harsh words could have.
Tears sprang to the woman's eyes—not from fear, but from shame.
She nodded hastily and fled the office.
Across the building, Gavin beamed as he bid farewell to Arthur and Heidi.
The moment they were out of sight, he clapped his hands excitedly and called out to the administrative manager:
"Quick! Book the largest private room at Celeste Lounge! Tonight, we're hosting a celebration for Ms. Hamilton! Every director-level employee and above—I want everyone there, no exceptions!"
The entire administrative department instantly burst into frenzied activity.