Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Just tweak the data a bit to keep it consistent, no need to waste time verifying.' Even though Carlson had anticipated it, hearing it firsthand was still a shock.

"This is, academic, fraud!" He stressed every word.

Edna's face turned sour: "Carlson, you're a sensible guy. I trust you know what should and shouldn't be said. As your mentor, I'm just offering you a way to solve the problem. What to do with it, is up to you." Carlson looked up, locking eyes with Edna with an intensity she hadn't seen before.

"Professor, this isn't right."

It just wasn't right...

After Carlson left, Edna watched his departing back and snickered.

It's okay if he doesn't get it now. People grow.

Eventually, he'll understand that truth doesn't matter. What matters is how many papers you've published, how much academic output you've produced.

People say research is pure, but Edna scoffed at that.

Wherever there are people, there's a struggle - for resources, funding, status, titles... Aren't all these tied to output?

Only those who reach the summit have the right to talk about "purity". But first, you've got to reach the summit.

Edna took out her phone, "Call Hertha Sherwood over."

was her time

session for almost a month now. How are you adjusting? How are the senior students treating you? No one's giving you a hard time, right?" Hertha was somewhat

something related to the lab I need

excitement: "Does that mean I can start

a spot for you in the research team. It's just that we've run into a bit of a snag... It might

Just tell me, and

latest model of the CPRT analyzer with their own funds. Our team's budget is tight, so I was wondering if you could... lend

don't worry, your hard

I'll keep

of your contribution. When

high-priority projects or conference

come up, you'll be

long as your grades

Whether

since... her mother placed such high value on education, it was

second

A little sweet talk at home, and the

securing a new CPRT analyzer

to the budget being

ended up costing over two

half, and Hertha had to sell more than a dozen of her beloved designer bags to make