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

How are the senior students treating you? No one's giving you a hard time, right?" Hertha was somewhat flattered: "No, no, everyone's been really

called you here because there's something related to the lab I need to discuss with

eyes sparkled, barely containing her excitement: "Does that mean I can start getting involved

just that we've run into a bit of

Just tell me, and I'll do

grew warmer: "You might have heard, the group led by Madeleine next door bought the latest model of the

don't worry, your hard

I'll keep

of your contribution. When

high-priority projects or conference

be the first

you're interested in a direct PhD track, as long as your grades are solid, that shouldn't be a

promise them the moon. Whether they'll

for a degree; she wanted to achieve something, especially since... her mother placed such high value on education, it was

second

A little sweet

days of Hertha securing a new CPRT analyzer for Edna's lab, the

to the budget being

up costing

her beloved designer bags to make up the rest. Those bags