Chapter 164 *
Dr. Patterson nodded immediately. "My office is two floors up."
They walked to the elevator in silence. Dr. Patterson kept glancing at her like he was trying to figure out what she was about to say.
Scarlett's brain was spinning.
She hadn't wanted to tell anyone about her research credentials. The whole point of being at Columbia was to have a normal college experience. To be a regular student.
But Dr. Patterson wasn't going to let this go. And if she didn't explain properly, he was going to keep pursuing her. Keep offering opportunities. Keep trying to recruit her as his mentee.
The elevator doors opened. They stepped inside.
Dr. Patterson pressed the button for the fifth floor. "You know, Scarlett, whatever concerns you have, I'm sure we can address them. I've worked with students from all kinds of backgrounds."
"It's not about my background."
"Then what is it about?"
The elevator dinged. They stepped out into another hallway. This one was quieter. Just a few faculty offices with closed doors.
Dr. Patterson led her to a corner office. His name was on a brass plaque next to the door.
He unlocked it and gestured for her to go in first.
The office was exactly what Scarlett expected. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves packed with textbooks and journals. A huge desk covered in papers. Framed diplomas on the walls.
Dr. Patterson closed the door behind them. "Please, sit."
Scarlett sat in one of the chairs across from his desk. Dr. Patterson took his seat behind it.
"Alright." He folded his hands. "What did you want to tell me?"
Scarlett took a breath. "I'm already working with Dr. Sawyer."
Dr. Patterson's eyebrows went up. "Dr. Michael Sawyer?"
"Yes."
"That's wonderful." Dr. Patterson smiled. "Working as a research assistant is excellent experience. But that doesn't conflict with joining my lab. You could do both."
"I'm not working as his assistant."
Dr. Patterson tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"I'm working with him as a collaborator."
The words hung in the air.
Dr. Patterson's smile froze on his face. "A collaborator."
"Yes."
"You mean... you're helping with his research projects?"
"No." Scarlett met his eyes. "I mean I'm co-authoring papers with him. I've been doing it for years."
Dr. Patterson's face went pale. "Years?"
"I'm listed as a principal investigator on several of his classified research projects." Scarlett kept her voice steady.
Dr. Patterson didn't say anything. He just stared at her like she'd grown a second head.
Scarlett continued. "Even if I wanted to become your graduate student, it would actually be a step backward in my academic standing."
The silence in the office was deafening.
Dr. Patterson opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.
No words came out.
Scarlett watched his brain trying to process what she'd just said.
His face went from pale to red. "You're... you're saying you're already..."
"An independent researcher. Yes."
Dr. Patterson put his hand over his mouth. "Oh my God." He put his face in his hands. "This is so embarrassing."
Scarlett felt a little bad for him. "You didn't know."
"I should have known." His voice was muffled through his hands. "The crystal purity should have told me. The technique precision. "
He looked up. "You weren't learning. You were already expert-level."
"I wouldn't say expert—"
"Don't." Dr. Patterson held up a hand. "I can't handle it."
Scarlett bit back a smile.
Dr. Patterson took a deep breath. Sat up straighter. "Alright. Let me try this again."
He adjusted his tie. Cleared his throat.
When he spoke again, his entire tone had changed. Less mentor. More colleague.
"My research credentials are confidential." Scarlett jumped in before he could say anything. "Most people here don't know about my work. I'd appreciate it if you kept this between us."
Dr. Patterson nodded mechanically. "Of course. Yes. Confidential."
Scarlett stood up. Extended her hand across the desk.
"I apologize for not clarifying earlier." Her voice was professional now. Measured. "But I hope we can work together as colleagues in the future. Your expertise in pharmaceutical synthesis would complement my current research very well."
Dr. Patterson stared at her hand for a long moment.
Colleagues.
Work together as colleagues.
I was trying to mentor someone who's already doing cutting-edge research.
He shook her hand. His grip was a little shaky.
"I would be honored to collaborate with you, Scarlett."
"And I apologize for the misunderstanding." Dr. Patterson seemed to be recovering some of his composure. "Let me buy you lunch anyway. We can discuss potential research collaboration."
Scarlett smiled. "That sounds good."
_ _ _ _ _ _
Zelda watched Scarlett disappear around the corner with Dr. Patterson.
Her nails dug into her palms hard. She'd been too far away to hear the conversation. But she'd seen enough.
Scarlett had refused him. Again. In the hallway. In front of everyone.
What is wrong with her?
Why would anyone turn down a chance to work with Dr. Patterson?
Does she not understand how valuable that opportunity is?
Zelda thought about her own extraction results from this morning. They'd been good.
But Dr. Patterson hadn't even looked at them after he saw Scarlett's work.
He'd dismissed her like she didn't exist.
I'm more qualified than her.
I'm more dedicated.
I actually want this.
So why does he want her instead of me?
A girl walked past carrying a stack of textbooks. "Did you see that? Dr. Patterson literally chased Scarlett Romano down in the hallway."
Her friend nodded. "I heard he offered her a research position on the spot. She said no."
"Who says no to Dr. Patterson?"
"Apparently Scarlett Romano does."
They laughed and kept walking.
Zelda's hands clenched into fists.
If Scarlett is foolish enough to reject him, I'll make sure he sees I'm the better choice.
She pulled out her phone and opened her email.
Dr. Patterson's contact information was on the department website. She'd looked it up weeks ago.
Her fingers flew across the screen.
Dear Dr. Patterson,
My name is Zelda Romano. I'm a freshman in your Organic Chemistry course. I wanted to express my sincere interest in pharmaceutical research and discuss potential opportunities to work in your lab...
She reread it three times. Made sure every word was perfect.
Then she hit send.
This is my chance to prove I'm superior to her in every way.