Chapter 328 So Warm, Who Wouldn't Like It?
Seeing how motivated and hardworking the little one was, Olivia smiled and said, "Alright then, let's sign up!"
Then she replied to Ivan's message.
Ivan was very happy to hear the news and immediately told her about the competition theme and rules.
Ivan's final instruction: [After registration, the work needs to be completed by mid-next month.]
Olivia: [Got it.]
Olivia relayed his message to Bianca.
After finishing that discussion, Ivan sent another message: [By the way, I have a request.]
Olivia was a bit puzzled - what kind of request could someone as important as him have that she could help with?
She replied: [Please go ahead.]
Ivan didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point: [I'm preparing to organize an art exhibition. I wanted to ask if Bianca's award-winning piece could be borrowed for the exhibition.]
So that was what it was about.
Olivia had no objections and immediately replied: [Yes, of course.]
Given Bianca's current age, if she hadn't met someone important like Ivan, how would she ever have the chance to have her work displayed in an exhibition?
Olivia also politely thanked him: [Thank you for recognizing her talent, and thank you for telling us about the competition.]
Seeing her response, Ivan replied cheerfully: [No need to thank me. Bianca is so young yet so talented, and with Mr. Hamilton personally teaching her, this child's future is limitless.
Besides, her award-winning work is of very high quality. She's fully qualified to have her work in the exhibition.
You don't know this, but those old folks at the Art Guild are still regretting not getting such an excellent student.]
After chatting with Ivan, Olivia was in a great mood.
After putting down her phone, she told Andrew and Bianca about it.
Andrew nodded, then asked her, "Did Mr. Franklin say when the exhibition date is? This is Bianca's first exhibition, we definitely need to go see it."
"Yes, he did. It's early next month..." After saying this, Olivia became a bit worried, wondering if she'd be free that day.
Olivia wanted to be part of all the important days in Bianca's life.
Bianca was curious and asked them, "Will lots of people come to see my work?"
Andrew nodded, "Yes, only recognized works can be in exhibitions. Bianca, you're amazing."
Bianca immediately became happy, and sweetly said, "It's because Daddy teaches well. Daddy is the most amazing!"
Olivia found Bianca's adoring expression amusing.
Who wouldn't love such a sweet daughter?
Andrew really did love Bianca, looking at her with complete adoration.
After breakfast, he personally took Bianca to school, then dropped Olivia off at the research institute before going to work.
On the way to the company, Andrew remembered something and asked David, "Recently in Harmony City, have people been talking about me and Olivia?"
David answered promptly, "Yes."
Andrew's tone was casual, "Tell me about it."
David didn't dare hide anything and reported truthfully, "Recently quite a few people have been talking about you and Dr. Garcia breaking up.
Some people even think that you two being together wasn't even real."
Talking about this, David thought it was ridiculous.
Andrew had publicly announced it at the reception back then, so how could people still deceive themselves like this?
Maybe even when Andrew and Olivia get married in the future, those people will still think it's a fake marriage.
Andrew said nothing about this.
David glanced in the rearview mirror and saw a thoughtful expression on his face, wondering what he was thinking.
Meanwhile, after Olivia entered the research institute, the R&D project officially started.
The higher-ups divided everyone into several small groups. She had two team members, a man and a woman who were classmates.
The man was called Oscar, the woman was called Zoey. They came from the same university and the same mentor's research lab.
Coincidentally, Olivia went to the same university as them.
However, these two were several years ahead of Olivia, so they were her seniors.
Back when Olivia was still in school, she had heard rumors about these two.
Back then at school, they were called the medical school's best duo.
Now meeting them in person, and with Olivia being the team leader, after introducing themselves, she couldn't help her curiosity and asked, "I've heard rumors before that you and Zoey are a couple?"
She thought they would confirm it.
But instead she heard Oscar say, "No, we're just classmates."
Zoey, who had been about to say something, heard him say this and could only press her lips together tightly, disappointment flashing in her eyes.
She glanced at Oscar.
Having known him for so many years, she had always liked him, but had never received any special attention.
Now, seeing that he seemed quite interested in Olivia, displeasure crossed her eyes.
Oscar didn't notice, and continued on his own, "Olivia, I've heard your name before. You don't mind me calling you that, do you?"
Olivia paused, then shook her head, "I don't mind."
Oscar smiled warmly, "I really admire Mr. McCoy. A few days ago I was thinking that if I could be in a group with you, maybe I'd have a chance to meet Mr. McCoy. I didn't expect to be so lucky."
Rodolfo's status in the medical field was legendary.
Not just him - everyone in the research institute admired him.
Facing this praise, Olivia remained composed and smiled, "When I have the chance, I'll pass along your admiration to Mr. McCoy."
Zoey secretly clenched her fingers, her expression flat and her tone distant as she said, "Mr. McCoy's status is indeed exceptional, and he is indeed impressive. As his student, you became team leader right away. Your abilities must be quite exceptional too, right?"
At these words, Olivia's expression froze slightly.
She looked at Zoey in surprise. For some reason, she felt that her words contained hidden sarcasm and hostility.
It seemed like she was saying that Olivia got the team leader position because of Rodolfo.
Olivia was a bit confused.
She didn't seem to have offended her, did she?
Regardless of whether the other person was being intentional, she wasn't like before, when she would just swallow her anger when things happened.
She pretended to be surprised and said, "In the first half of the month, the team was doing assessment tests. Didn't you participate?"
Zoey didn't know what she was trying to say, so she replied, "Of course I participated."
Olivia looked puzzled and said, "Really? Then you're a bit out of the loop.
Those tests examined individual ability.
I was actually quite surprised to get the team leader position.
After all, those test questions were really difficult. I heard they were created by senior colleagues a long time ago, and the questions were sealed away before the test."
This also revealed something - Rodolfo wasn't even there at the time, so he couldn't have interfered with the test questions.
Zoey was left speechless.
Oscar sensed the awkward atmosphere and immediately frowned, looking at Zoey with some displeasure, "Zoey, watch what you say. You and I both went through the assessment. You know very well that you could only rely on yourself in that process."
Zoey's expression wasn't great.
They'd just met and he was already protecting this Olivia like this.
She smiled without warmth and said, "Olivia, why are you reacting so strongly? I didn't mean anything by it."
This time Olivia was really sure she hadn't been mistaken.
This person really did have hostility toward her.
She frowned slightly and said in a flat tone, "Good to know. I just thought you didn't know, so I was reminding you."
Because of this, Olivia lost interest in making small talk with them and said directly, "Time is precious, so let's get started."
She quickly got into work mode, showing her professionalism.
At this moment, her whole demeanor changed.
Serious, focused, meticulous.
Like this, she had no idea how radiant she was.
Oscar stared, unable to look away for a moment.
Olivia was already immersed in her work and didn't notice his gaze.
Although things started off a bit rocky with Zoey.
But after all, everyone's abilities had been screened, and they were all very capable.
So the three of them worked together smoothly, and the work progressed well.
After officially starting R&D, it was indeed busy, but the research institute didn't really treat people like machines to be exploited.
Every evening after completing tasks and doing summaries and records, they could go home.
The schedule was a bit more relaxed.
A week later, Olivia found time to visit her own research lab.
Back when she left Emerald City, Daniel had started preparing the lab here.
From site selection to various instruments and equipment purchases, it had taken initial shape.
Next would be arranging for the team to come over.
Andrew knew she was getting off work early tonight and planned to invite her to dinner.
Unexpectedly, Olivia turned him down.
Olivia: [I have something to take care of. Let's postpone dinner to tomorrow night, sorry.]
After saying that, she also sent Andrew a heart emoji.
Andrew was a bit surprised.
She actually turned down their rare date?
What was she going to do?
Although somewhat puzzled, he didn't bother her and indulged her.
Just then, Finnegan called him, asking him to come home for dinner tonight.
Andrew thought that he had upset him quite a bit a few days ago, and after not showing up for so many days, it was time to go back and smooth things over.
So he had David drive to the Hamilton Mansion.
When he entered, he unexpectedly saw Aurelia.
At that moment, Aurelia was playing chess with Finnegan.
Hearing footsteps, she looked up.
Seeing it was Andrew, her eyes brightened slightly.
She had originally just come to try her luck, but unexpectedly got to see him.
She suppressed her inner joy, her voice gentle as she greeted him, "Andrew, you're back?"
Andrew's expression was flat, his tone somewhat distant, "Ms. Kingsley, what are you doing here?"
Aurelia seemed not to notice his attitude and smiled. "I came to see your grandfather, and also to discuss Anna coming back...
Your grandfather is planning to throw her a welcome party, and he asked me to help organize it. Andrew, do you have any suggestions?"