Chapter 171 *
Dr. Patterson studied her face. "You were nervous?"
"Yes, sir. You're one of my academic heroes. Having you in the lab was intimidating."
He didn't respond immediately. Just kept looking at her with that evaluating expression.
"Research is grueling work, Zelda." His tone was serious now. "You might spend your entire career without a breakthrough. Are you prepared for that kind of commitment?"
"Absolutely." Zelda's voice got stronger. "This has been my dream since childhood. My family's pharmaceutical work inspired me, but I want to achieve more than they did."
Dr. Patterson closed the folder. He was quiet for a long moment.
He was evaluating Zelda. That much was obvious. The girl was smart. Her research direction aligned with his own work. She wasn't as naturally gifted as Scarlett, but she was a decent candidate.
Better than most of the students who'd applied recently.
Then Dr. Patterson did something unexpected.
He turned to Scarlett. "Scarlett, could you come here for a moment?"
Scarlett blinked. She'd been standing quietly to the side. Not interfering. This was their conversation. Their business.
"Me?" She pointed at herself.
"Yes. I'd like your opinion on something."
Zelda's expression shifted. Confusion flickered across her face. Why was Dr. Patterson asking Scarlett's opinion when Scarlett hadn't even officially joined his lab?
Scarlett walked over. Dr. Patterson handed her the folder.
"Could you take a look at this? Tell me what you think."
Scarlett opened the folder. Started reading. She took her time. Read about half the paper over several minutes.
The work was solid. Not groundbreaking, but competent. For someone who was twenty-two years old, it showed real understanding of the subject matter.
"For someone who's twenty-two, this level of comprehension shows real talent." Scarlett closed the folder. "I can't say whether her research direction aligns with yours. That's something you'd need to evaluate."
Dr. Patterson took the folder back. "Should I take her on as a student?"
The question hung in the air.
Zelda's eyes went wide. This wasn't a casual question. He was actually letting Scarlett decide.
What gives her the right to judge my work? Zelda's thoughts raced. What makes her qualified to evaluate me?
But she knew the answer. Everyone on campus knew they didn't get along. If Scarlett wanted to sabotage this opportunity, now was her chance.
That bitch better not ruin this for me.
Scarlett handed the folder back to Dr. Patterson. Her expression was neutral.
"If I were you, I absolutely wouldn't take her on."
The words hit Zelda like a physical blow. Her brain went blank for a second. I knew she wouldn't let me have this.
Dr. Patterson frowned. "Why not?"
"She’s not honest." Scarlett's tone was matter-of-fact. "In lab class last week, she claimed it was her first time doing that extraction. That wasn't true."
"I explained that." Zelda's voice came out too loud. "I was nervous. I didn't hear the question clearly."
Scarlett ignored her. Kept talking to Dr. Patterson.
"Is it fair to other students if someone is misrepresenting their experience level? That creates an uneven playing field."
Dr. Patterson nodded slowly. "That's a valid point."
"But that's not all." Scarlett said. "She manipulates people. Blames them for things they didn't do. Always causing drama. She does this constantly."
Zelda opened her mouth. Nothing came out.
Because it was true. She'd done exactly those things. Multiple times.
She'd manipulated the family's perception of Scarlett. Made them blame Scarlett for things Zelda herself had done. Framed her for causing problems.
It had worked every time. The family believed her. Salvatore believed her. Viviana believed her.
Scarlett had always seemed so naive. So easy to manipulate. Just like Viviana.
But apparently Scarlett had seen through everything.
"If someone brings that kind of energy into academic research, it's not going to end well." Scarlett's voice was calm. "Dr. Sawyer always says character matters more than talent. If you want to take her on anyway, that's your call."
Zelda felt her eyes burning. She blinked rapidly. Let the tears gather but not fall.
"Scarlett, why are you lying about me?" Her voice came out hurt. Vulnerable. "I've never done anything to you."
She turned to Dr. Patterson. "I think she's threatened by me. She doesn't want you to see that I might be just as capable as she is."
The performance was perfect. Wounded but dignified. Confused but trying to understand.
"We could both work in the lab together." Zelda continued. "There's no reason to be competitive."
Dr. Patterson looked at her. "Are you suggesting Scarlett is jealous of you?"
Zelda felt a spark of triumph. He'd taken the bait.
She kept her expression hurt and vulnerable. Let a tear slide down her cheek. "I... I don't want to say that, Professor. I just... I thought we were colleagues. I didn't expect her to—"
Scarlett actually laughed. "Not even close."
Zelda's heart raced. Scarlett was getting defensive. Emotional. That would only make her look worse.
Dr. Patterson would see it. He'd see Scarlett losing her composure while Zelda stayed calm and hurt.
This was working.
"I didn't think so." Dr. Patterson's tone was dry.
Zelda blinked. Wait. What?
Dr. Patterson's expression had changed. His eyes were cold now.
"Professor?" Zelda's voice wavered.
He wasn't looking at her anymore. He was looking at Scarlett with something like respect. Maybe even amusement.
No.
"The tears." Dr. Patterson said slowly. "The hurt tone. The subtle implication that Scarlett is threatened by you."
Zelda's stomach dropped.
"Textbook manipulation." He continued."I've been teaching for twenty years, Miss Romano. I've seen every tactic students could possibly throw at me."
"But more importantly—" Dr. Patterson turned to look at her fully now. His gaze was ice. "I know who Scarlett really is. My colleague. My research collaborator. One of the most talented minds I've worked with in decades."
Zelda's face burned.
"The idea that she would be jealous of an undergraduate student?" He almost smiled. "Absurd."
The tears on Zelda's cheeks felt hot now. Humiliating.
Dr. Patterson closed the folder with a sharp snap. The sound made Zelda flinch.
He handed it back to her.
"Academic research requires honesty and integrity above all else." His voice was cold. "You need to have your priorities straight."
Zelda took the folder with shaking hands. Her carefully practiced vulnerability had collapsed into real panic.
"You're already trying to manipulate the situation before you've even been accepted." Dr. Patterson continued. Each word was a hammer blow. "That tells me everything I need to know about how you'd behave in my lab."
"But Professor—" Zelda's voice cracked. Desperate now.
"I don't care how talented you are." He cut her off without mercy. "I won't take you on."
The world tilted.
This wasn't how this was supposed to go. She'd planned this. She'd been perfect. The research was flawless. Her performance was flawless.
How did he—
Zelda stood there frozen. Her face had gone pale. The tears were real now. Hot and bitter.
Dr. Patterson had already turned away from her. Dismissing her like she was nothing.
"Come on, Scarlett." He said. His tone was warm again. "Let's grab lunch."
He started walking. Scarlett followed him without a backward glance.
They left Zelda standing alone on the pathway.