It was twelve hours later when they arrived in Abla.
The two little ones were already fast asleep in Deanna and Lance's arms.
As they got off the plane, Gunner lowered his voice and said, "I just received a message. The organizers of the Chopel Awards have arranged a special car to pick us up outside the airport."
Deanna and the others nodded and followed Gunner out of the airport.
Just as they stepped outside, they saw a typical Abla man with a warm smile approaching Gunner.
"Professor Martinez, long time no see. It's great to see you again!"
The man said, giving Gunner a big hug.
Gunner also smiled genuinely and hugged the man back.
After a few seconds, he stepped back and said, "Baird, long time no see. I didn't expect you to pick us up."
"Surprised? I specifically fought for this job."
Baird winked playfully at Gunner, looking like an old rascal.
After speaking, he looked at the people behind Gunner and exclaimed, "Oh, such beautiful and handsome young people. Old friend, are they all your students? You are so fortunate."
Gunner knew his friend loved to admire beautiful things. Hearing his exaggerated tone, he smiled slightly and introduced Deanna and Lionel.
"These two are my students, Deanna and Lionel. These are their family members."
After introducing Lance and Julia, Gunner didn't forget to introduce his friend. "This is Baird, my friend and the 2009 Chopel Medical Award winner."
"I know Professor Baird, the discoverer of Moltz's disease and the founder of its treatment process. I've studied every medical paper you've published."
Lionel looked at Baird with admiration.
Baird, not one to stand on ceremony, laughed and said, "If you admire me so much, why not join my team? My students have just graduated."
"If Professor Baird is willing, I'd switch right now, as long as you don't mind having me."
Lionel played along with Baird's joke.
Gunner knew they were just joking around and didn't mind.
After some small talk, they all got into the car heading to the hotel arranged by the organizers.
On the way back, Baird suddenly became serious. "Gunner, this award ceremony might not be peaceful."
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
Gunner frowned immediately.
Baird explained, "I heard that before your team submitted the special medicine for evaluation, the organizers had already chosen Hank as the winner of the Innovation Award. You know Hank has always been narrow-minded."
"What, is that kid still holding a grudge against me?"
Gunner raised his eyebrows disdainfully.
Baird didn't deny it. "I heard he's been making moves recently, trying to get the judges to change their minds before the award ceremony."
"Is that even possible? Isn't the Chopel Award supposed to be the most impartial international award?"
Julia asked in astonishment.
Hearing this, both Gunner and Baird showed mocking smiles.
Julia looked at them, thinking she had said something wrong.
At this moment, Lionel held her hand and explained softly, "No award is absolutely fair. Although the Chopel Award is reputed to be impartial, there's still room for manipulation. But since we're all researchers with high self-esteem, even if we lose, no one will say anything because we prefer to prove ourselves with our abilities."
"But even so, it's still unfair."
Julia looked confused.
Seeing this, Gunner suddenly smiled and said, "Sometimes being at a disadvantage isn't necessarily a bad thing."
Hearing this, Julia was even more puzzled.
Deanna pondered and asked, "Master, is there something wrong with this Hank?"
She had no memory of before and had been busy with other things since returning. She only started learning about the medical field recently, so she asked.
Before Gunner could answer, Baird angrily spoke up.
"This Hank is more than just problematic; he's a huge problem. He's incompetent in academics and has poor character. He's a scourge in our medical field."
After speaking, he seemed to remember something and said seriously to Gunner, "Do you know what he did this time? He reported you for stealing special medicine from Abla, claiming that your research was learned from there."
Gunner heard this and remained calm. "Do you believe it?"
"Of course not. I know what kind of person you are. Despite your past controversies, I understand your character."
Baird looked at Gunner with trust.
Gunner smiled knowingly and then asked, "Since he reported it, what did the organizers say?"
Upon hearing this, both Deanna and Lionel looked over attentively.
They also wanted to know how the organizers would handle this matter.